Backpacking in Baxter State Park in Maine

 In the middle of June we went backpacking in Baxter State Park in Maine. We had been backpacking there, but this time we tried a different trail. We headed for a lean-to at North Katahdin lake. 

From Boston, it takes about 5.5 hours to get to the Baxter State Park. We arrived around noon. The boo point is that non-Maine resident have to pay $15 for the entry. AND you need to pay for campsites (car or backcountry). Maine residents are free of charge to enter the park, AND lower fee for camping. I feel that this is too much difference of fee. Since we plan to go to Baxter three times at least this summer, we bought 2021 pass for $40. 3 time visits would be $45 without a pass. 

We drove to the trailhead. Only one car was parked there. The number plate was customized one saying "HIKER" The owner must be an avid hiker. The trail was easy, mostly flat, but ah, so many mosquitoes. I had to put 100% DEET juice everywhere. The mosquitoes even bit me through pants and T-shirt. So I had to put DEET on my cloths. For your information, my hiking pants, REI brands, are bug-proof. Bugs are supposed to be unable to bite through them. In my case, they can. I don't have any holes on my pants. It is not a one time thing, many incidents happened to me. Bugs can bite through bug-proof clothes. I stopped trusting those bug-protective claims a long time ago.

After 2 mile of hiking, we reached the first lake. This lake was really beautiful. Katahdin mountains are visible right behind the lake. We sat on the shore and had snack. Luckily there were nice breezes at the shore and that made mosquitoes blow away.  There is a lean-to by the lake, and a canoe available there. This would be really nice to spend a night. I thought that this is a good one for beginners as an introductory backpack.

Pretty Lake

Our booked lean-to was a couple of miles ahead, so we continued hiking. After a while, we reached the destination. The hiking itself was easy and pleasant except for mosquitoes. I hiked with wearing bug net on my head.

lean-to

OK for people who are thinking, "What is a lean-to?", a lean-to picture is here. It is nice log cabin. This particular lean-to is only for reservation use, so it is private: some lean-to in the Whites are first-come, first-served and need to share with people, which I don't like it, because of snores. My one-time experience staying at a hut in Intaly during Tour du Mont Blanc, it was not pleasant due to snore all night, farts all night, and stink all night.

As you can see a fire pit is provided here. It is allowed to have a campfire by foraging. Yay! My favorite activity. Again, this lean-to also provides a canoe as well as a paddles and life jackets. The lean-to is by North Katahdin lake, which is a very big lake. After we settled down, we headed for canoeing. It is really nice that the park provides canoe. Then we don't need to bring canoe for 6 miles which is impossible!

North Katahdin Lake

North Katahdin lake is also beautiful. I wish that the Katahdin peaks were visible from the lean-to. The peaks are visible only when you canoe out for a while. The picture in the left was taken while we were canoeing. 

When we reached the other side of the lake, we saw deer. His feet were in the water. We notice it was a male, because there were very small antlers. The antlers seems just came. It was cute. He seemed to come to the lake to avoid mosquitoes. He swished tail alot and jumped a lot to run away from mosquitoes, but it was difficult. There were SO MANY MOSQUITOES!!! Poor deer. We observed the deer for about 15 minutes. I had never seen the deer jumping around so much. This is a rare experience for sure.

deer

After the evening canoeing we started camp fire. Fun!!! The smoke made mosquitoes go away. Then we ate curry and rice for dinner. Japanese curry is the best supper for camping. 

I like Maine's view: not too may trees and mixture of lakes, mountains and meadows. We will come back!