Wildnotes2017 A Visitor’s Guide to Baxter State Park 2017 Welcome to Baxter State Park Since the establishment of Baxter State Park in 1931, visitors from near and far have come to enjoy the beautiful scenery, hike the trails, paddle across the clear waters and so much more. Throughout the years, Katahdin has provided a source of inspiration and intrigue for visitors of all ages. These wilderness opportunities will remain the same for years to come, thanks to the generosity of the Park’s donor, Percival P. Baxter. Last year, we asked Park staff to share some of their favorite moments in Baxter State Park in Wildnotes. The stories were a wonderful addition to our annual newspaper, and this year we are hoping to do something similar! In this year’s edition, we remember the journey of a twelve year old boy who became lost in the wilderness for nine days—Donn Fendler. Donn Fendler passed away last year on October 10, 2016. For decades, Donn came to the Park to share his story “Lost on a Mountain in Maine.” Visitors of all ages came to learn from his experiences. He touched the lives of many people with his continual message of hope and perseverance. This year, memories of Donn Fendler have been shared by members of Park staff— whether it is reading his book for the first time, an evening program at Kidney Pond or how his story provided a source of inspiration. We hope that by sharing our memories Gov. Percival Baxter Welcome to Wildnotes – one of the best sources of information to help you enjoy Baxter State Park! The 209,644 acres of Maine landscape known as Baxter State Park can best be described as Maine’s largest public trust. Given to the People of Maine by former Maine Governor Percival P. Baxter, we are independently funded through a combination of visitor entrance and camping fees, revenues from the sale of forest products from the Scientific Forest Management Area and revenues from endowment funds. Although Baxter Park is Maine’s largest State Park, if you search for us on the web, you have noticed that we are not part of the Department of Conservation’s state park system. As a trust, the Park is governed by the Baxter State Park Authority, comprised of the Maine Attorney General, the Commissioner of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife and the Director of the Maine Forest Service. Our management of the Park’s landscape extends back more than 75 years. The protection of the Park’s natural resources and the recreation opportunities we provide require a constant effort on the part of the Park’s staff and visitors. The Park’s wilderness is there for you to explore, but in the “right, unspoiled way”. Please help us protect this beautiful place. Leave no trace in your travels. Hike and camp safely in our wilderness. Our website provides you with lots of information on how to safely navigate our 10 campgrounds, 225+ miles of hiking trail and dozens of backcountry campsites. Our reservation, visitor center and ranger staff are also here to help you enjoy your stay – please don’t hesitate to ask questions or for advice. Wherever you are in the Park this summer, please remember that your safety is your responsibility. Hiking up is optional, but hiking down is mandatory –your real goal for any hike in the Park’s wilderness is the safe return to your car or campsite! There are some projects that we will be working on this summer. We are in the process of constructing new staff housing at Kidney Pond. This work is scheduled to be completed early this season, but this new staff housing is only one step in a multi-step process of addressing structure concerns at Kidney. One change that has already happened is the addition of Moosewood to the cabin rental offerings at Kidney. This walk-in cabin is now of Donn, we will continue to inspire visitors of the Park this season—just as he did for so many years. Donn Fendler’s story began on July 17, 1939 during a hike with his family up the Hunt Trail of Katahdin. He became separated from his group and soon became lost. For nine days, he survived with no food and minimal supplies in the Park’s wilderness. Hundreds of volunteers assisted in the search for Fendler, including the first seasonal campground ranger, Richard Holmes. He recounts his search in a journal that has since been donated to the Park: “Monday, July 17 Fair. Went to Millinocket for grub. Started Fendler Hunt at 8 pm. Of the first 60 hours I slept an hour in each 10 and averaged more than a mile an hour. John and I together with Jr. York, Henry Soucie and Harry Kearney (and Gene McClain) worked together until the following Tuesday when Fendler came out at Lunksoos. July 25.” As noted in his journal, Fendler eventually came out of the woods and was found near Stacyville, Maine. He recalls the journey in his book, Lost on a Mountain in Maine, and in the graphic novel Lost Trail: Nine Days Alone in the Wilderness. For more stories from current Park Rangers and staff, continue reading this year’s edition of Wildnotes and join us in honoring the memory of Donn Fendler. available for the 2017 summer season. Another project that is scheduled for June is the repairs to the hiking bridge that crosses Trout Brook on the Freezeout Trail at Trout Brook Campground. This work will address abutment concerns and should ensure that this important crossing is available to visitors in the decades ahead. We are continuing to work on maintaining our extensive hiking trail system. The Dudley Trail will remain closed throughout 2017 as trail crews will continue to work on a relocation of this trail to address a 2016 landslide on the trail. We hope to re-open this popular trail in 2018. Trail crews will also be working on relocation projects on the Hunt Trail above Katahdin Stream Falls. Lastly, some changes to the Park Rules and Regulations will be in effect for 2017. Unmanned aerial vehicles, also known as “drones”, are now prohibited on Park trails, waterways and ponds. If you are planning to visit the Park via the Appalachian Trail, Park rules now require that you obtain an A.T. Hiker Permit Card before hiking the Hunt (A.T.) to Baxter Peak. Policy details on this rule are available on the Park website. Speaking of the website, our website (baxterstatepark.org) or our Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/baxterstatepark) are great places to check in on for current updates on Park activities and trail conditions. Thank you for your interest in Baxter State Park. We hope you can visit the Park, make some lifelong memories and let nature nourish your soul. We’ll be looking for you on the trail! Jensen Bissell, Director, Baxter State Park Wildnotes 1
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To see the actual publication please follow the link above