Baxter State Park - Abol Stream, Foss and Knowlton, Lost Pond, Daicey Pond, and Grassy Pond Trails and Park Tote Road

Imagine having 209,000 acres of wilderness to yourself and that's the experience I had yesterday while visiting Baxter State Park.  

Baxter began the transition to winter season this week, closing Katahdin trailheads, restricting hours and, starting today, closing most of the park's roads (Google Maps had incorrectly shown that the Togue Pond Gate was closed).  Today was also the start of deer hunting season in Maine (the parts of the park accessible by car today were those open to hunting).  When I arrived at the Togue Pond Gatehouse a little after 9, the ranger advised me only two people had entered the park that morning.  

I parked at the Abol Picnic Area and hiked a 15 mile loop consisting of 9 miles of trails and 6 miles on the closed Park Tote Road.  I encountered only one person during my almost seven hours in the park - an  employee driving on the closed Tote Road.  

I started out hiking the Abol Pond Trail but slipped into a stream after stepping on an ice-covered rock 1/10th of a mile into the hike.  I changed course, headed back to the parking lot and took the Abol Stream Trail instead.  The relatively flat trail briefly exits the park before joining the Appalachian Trail near Abol Bridge.  The trail offers several views of the west side of Katahdin.  

After a short section on the AT, I reached the Foss and Knowlton Trail.  I previously snowshoed this trail but today was the first time I hiked it.  The four mile trail gradually climbs until reaching Foss and Knowlton Pond, then skirts along the southern side of the pond before climbing again to Lost Pond.  There are a number of bog bridges after the trail reaches Foss and Knowlton Pond. 

Foss Knowlton Pond

The Foss Knowlton Trail leading to the pond is well-maintained and relatively easy.  

 

The trail is somewhat rocky for a short stretch between Foss Knowlton and Lost Pond, but is otherwise well-maintained and easy to hike.  

I continued past Lost Pond to Daicey Pond, at which point I took the Grassy Pond Trail to the Tote Road near Katahdin Stream Campground.  

Clouds rolled in, the wind picked up, temperatures dropped, and a few snowflakes fell by the time I reached Daicey Pond.  

After a brief rest at the campground,  I hiked back along the road.  I briefly considered taking the Blueberry Ledges Trail back but was concerned about the stream crossing on that trail and getting to the Abol Stream Trail at dusk (due to hunting season).  Hiking the Tote Road was an unique experience since usually I'm driving on the road and heavily focused on avoiding oncoming traffic.   

A deserted Abol Campground.

I expected to see moose, bear, or other wildlife during the hike, picturing in my mind the animals enjoying the park to themselves without people.  I saw little evidence of moose on the hike, other than a few tracks in the mud near the ponds.  I did manage to spot three grouse during the hike.  Here is a map of my hike.