This campground in Baxter State Park is the gateway to Baxter Peak via the Hunt Trail. It is a staging ground for Appalachian Trail through hikers as they end the 2,000+ mile trek from Springer Mountain in Georgia. All hikers must sign in noting their departure and return times. 12 lean-tos, 9 tent sites, and 3 group…
The cutting and moving of logs destined for lumber or paper was a tough, manual effort until the second half of the 20th century. Here is an eyewitness assessment by Louise Dickenson Rich of logging camp life in the 1940’s near Middle Dam in western Maine. I also had to learn to differentiate between a…
These cute large rodents (thus a mammal) are entertaining to look at, but potentially dangerous and disruptive. A member of the squirrel family, it is also known as the “ground hog” or whistle pig. According to Scientific American, Groundhogs are also variously referred to as woodchucks, whistle-pigs, or land-beavers. The name whistle-pig comes from the…
This seven-inch gray bird with brown wings returns to southern Maine in early spring to build its nest, often in the usual place unless it has been destroyed. The insect eating Phoebe makes its news under overhanging structures, such as eaves, second floor decks, and bridges. It perches on branches or posts awaiting the unsuspecting…
This township lies at the base of Baxter State Park, encompassing the Park’s south access road from Millinocket and the eastern end of The Golden Road. Togue Pond Gate is the south entrance to the Park. The West Branch of the Penobscot River flows through its western region and includes…
Ripogenus (Abenaki for “gravel) is the name given for the dam and the lake created by it. Ripogenus Lake is essentially a human-made extension of Chesuncook Lake. The dam [N45° 52′ 47.64″ W69° 10′ 32.56″], completed in 1920, provides water power for McKay power station through an underground tunnel. In 1989…
This township (T4 R6 BKP WKR) in Somerset County contains most of Spencer Lake, along with the 2400-foot Spencer Mountain west of the Lake, and the 2300-foot Hardscrabble Mountain east of the Lake. With no village settlement, it is primarily an area of woods and woods roads. In the early 20th century, Spencer Lake Camps…
Sandhill Cranes are very large, tall birds with a long neck reaching four feet tall. They have long legs and broad wings. The cranes are mostly found in the Midwest but since the year 2000 they have been seen in south central Maine, including North Yarmouth, Belgrade and Kennebunk, and in Fryeburg in western Maine.…
Haskell is an island in the town of Harpswell, not accessible by land. It lies at the edge of Casco Bay on the south end of Merriconeag Sound. A summer home to seasonal residents, the island retains many features of its earlier history. Once known as New Damariscove Island, then Pulpit, it was finally named…
This sparsely populated township lies south of Benedicta and Silver Ridge Townships. The Aroostook Road from Benedicta to Molunkus village is the primary improved road, passing through the center of the township. A small slice of the Nine Mile Woods Road (U.S. Route 2) cuts through its northeast corner. With frontage on two relatively remote…
The Lunksoos [pronounced lunksue] area of T3 R7 WELS includes stunning views of the East Branch of the Penobscot River and historic sites such as the Hunt Farm and Lunksoos Camps. In 2014 it was also the local headquarters of Elliotsville Plantation foundation’s “Lunksoos Base Camp.” Not to be confused with Elliotsville Township (once a…
This township is home to the Seboeis River canoe trip put-in on the Grand Lake Road. The 24-mile trip begins at a parking/picnic area near the bridge at N46° 8′ 37.07″ W68° 38′ 0.19″. The trip is most successful in the spring, with high water. These images were taken in August, at relatively low water.…
The Island is a City of Portland neighborhood in Casco Bay, accessible by ferry from the terminal on Portland’s waterfront. The brief trip carries freight, vehicles, bicycles and tourists. Little Diamond Island and Great Diamond Island are just to the west. While the population is about 900, the number of people on this 720-acre island…
East of Baxter Park, it is home to Katahdin Woods & Water Recreation Area, Sandbank Campsite, Wassataquoik Public Reserved Land, and Whetstone Falls. West of Stacyville, access is by Swift Brook Road and a network of dirt roads.
This township is just east of Silver Ridge Township in southern Aroostook County. Crisscrossed with dirt logging roads, its main thoroughfare is the 6000 Road from U.S. Route 2 in Silver Ridge Dixie Road in the east terminating on U.S. Route 2A in Glenwood. Macwahoc Stream…
A bird somewhat harder to find than the Great Blue Heron, the Little Blue Heron ranges from the Gulf of Mexico and along the Atlantic Coast to their northern most reach in Maine. They feed in marshes, tidal flats and even in some freshwater areas, nesting near wetlands. This one was observed in Winslow Park…
The township is north of Moose River in northwestern Somerset County. It should not be confused with Bald Mountain Township T2 R3 BKP EKR, which contains a section of the Appalachian Trail, in northeastern Somerset County east of Caratunk. The township apparently was once a Plantation. The U.S. Census reports four years of population counts:…
For travelers driving north from The Forks to Jackman, and maybe Quebec, Johnson Mount Township is probably just another strip of U.S.Route 201 through the woods. However, for the adventurous seeking a mountain to climb, waterfall or a primitive campsite by a stream, the rewards are nearby. Johnson Mountain is accessible off the (unimproved) Enchanted…
Mud Brook, with origins in Stacyville, flows south into Herseytown Township and then to Soldiertown Township in Penobscot County where it joins the Penobscot River East Branch. In April 2014 the brook was still at spring flood stage, making access from Route 11 an opportunity for a short trip. Scout Brady Williams identified the spot…
Just north of Brownville on Route 11, this township contains the East Branch of the Pleasant River which feeds the connected West Pond, Pearl Pond and Ebeemee Lake. Small year-round and seasonal cottages are located on the access roads and on the shorelines. …