picnic area provides just that spot. Breathe deeply and take in the views. If planning a picnic, you can off-load your supplies and then return to the day use parking area with your vehicle. Another relaxing option is a leisurely paddle around the pond in one of the available canoes or kayaks. Notice the hard work of the resident beavers as you pass beaver lodges and many gnawed off trees. Wanting to explore more? Head through the connecting stream between Lower South Branch Pond and Upper South Branch Pond. It may seem that Upper South Branch Pond, which is the more southerly of the two, is misnamed; but look closely and discover that the water flows from south to north. Take in the views of the geological features the volcanoes left behind, such as the rhyolite rock formation, five sided vertical columnar jointing, visible on the upper slopes of Traveler Mountain. Paddle back through the connecting stream to the campground for a refreshing dip in the clear, cool waters of Lower South Branch Pond, a perfect way to end a relaxing few hours in the Park. • The Forest Ecology and Management Trail (1+ hrs) 0.9 miles, is an exciting new loop trail offering all ages the opportunity to learn more about the forest and forest management. The trail begins on the Park Tote Road south of Trout Brook Crossing, at the Scientific Forest Management Area kiosk, where users can pick up a brochure with information about 13 interpretive stations. Stations cover tree identification, why and where trees grow and how the forest changes over time. The focus shifts to an explanation of why and how foresters manage the forest to produce a variety of important products such as clean water and sawtimber. Several stations discuss wildlife and wildlife habitat topics. An interactive station allows users to compare tree diameter measurements with past results to see how individual trees grow. Hikers will enjoy an animal track station that helps them to identify what creatures use the trail even if they don’t show themselves. The trail concludes with beautiful views of Trout Brook. These suggestions are only a few of the options available. We recommend you purchase a map even if only the $1 Day Use Map for short visits, so that you can learn more about the area you are experiencing. Opportunities expand if you have a day or more to spend in the area. Park employees at Park Headquarters in Millinocket, the Togue Pond Visitor Center, Togue Pond and Matagamon Gates and all the Park campgrounds are ready to help you plan an enjoyable visit! • The Grassy Pond Loop Trail (4-5 hrs), 5.7 miles, offers the opportunity to visit Daicey Pond and three remote trout ponds with mountain views, while possibly experiencing a moose sighting. This pleasant, lowland loop starts out on the famed Appalachian Trail (AT), which is white blazed. Park in the Katahdin Stream Day Use Parking area, walk west back to the Tote Road and enter the woods on the AT directly across the road. You will hike through a fragrant cedar swamp, take in views of Doubletop, OJI and Barren Mountains across Grassy and Elbow Ponds and hear nothing but hushed footsteps on the pine needle covered trail. There are a variety of trails intersecting to shorten or lengthen your hike, so be sure to carry a map of the area. If you have a full 6 hours, consider renting a canoe on one of the remote ponds, obtaining the key, paddle and life jackets from the Ranger at Katahdin Stream Campground. If you have 2 hours, entering Matagamon Gate, we suggest: • Horse Mountain- The trailhead is 0.6 mile from Matagamon Gatehouse. The trail is steep but within 1.2 miles, you will see a sign for a spur trail to the viewpoint. This is well worth your time. Take a snack and water with you as well as your camera. You will have a birdseye view of Grand Lake Matagamon and speaking of birds, you may be sharing the view with numerous Turkey Vultures that have been roosting on the cliffs of Horse Mountain in recent years. These birds are masters of the thermals and typically ride the updrafts of warming air in late morning in ever-widening spirals. • Trout Brook canoe exploration- Trout Brook Campground is 2.6 miles west of Matagamon Gate on the Park Tote Road. Canoes are located near the Group Camping Area, on the bank of Trout Brook. Lifejackets/ paddles are stored on the porch of the ranger cabin and rental is $1/hour. The launching area can be slippery. The current here is gentle but steady as you float out toward Matagamon Lake. Wildlife abounds, ospreys and great blue herons fly above you and ducks and geese forage while a moose may be feeding out closer to the lake. If you have 4-6 hours, entering Matagamon Gate, we recommend: South Branch Pond Campground- Allow thirty minutes to drive from the gate to the South Branch Campground road and into the campground. • No urge to hike? Looking for a relaxing spot with views of the water and mountains while enjoying a picnic, a swim and a good book? South Branch Campground day use Only Have A Short Time in the Park? The suggestions below are offered to help you make the most of limited time but we also encourage you to plan to visit again for a longer stay. The Park is meant to be experienced deeply and over a period of time; wilderness experiences are measured in days and weeks, not hours, so we hope your short visit is an enjoyable introduction to a lifetime of visits! Allow 30 minutes to travel between Millinocket and Togue Pond Gate and approximately 45 minutes to reach Matagamon Gate from the town of Patten. If you have 2 hours, entering Togue Pond Gate, we suggest: • Cranberry Pond- This short walk starts within sight of Togue Pond Gatehouse and winds through the forest to arrive at a small pond with all sorts of bog plants, from cranberries to tiny sundew plants! Stay on the bog bridges to protect the plants and keep your feet drier! • Togue Pond rental canoe- Employees at the Visitor Center or Togue Pond Gate can rent this canoe, lifejackets and paddles for only $1/hour! Paddling on either of the Togue Ponds is a great way to “preview” the Park, especially Katahdin, which dominates the view on a clear day. A picnic and short dip in Togue Pond will make the perfect summer afternoon! • Abol Pond Picnic Area- Do you like to share your picnic spot with loons? Abol Picnic Area is reached by taking the signed spur road on the left 3 miles from Togue Pond Gate. Proceed past employee housing down the hill to the end of the road. Shelters over the tables make this a good choice if it is raining. Little ones will enjoy the tadpoles and dragonflies at this location! • Mobility limitations? We suggest you visit Abol Pond culverts and Stump Pond. The Abol Pond culverts are approximately 2.5 miles from the gate with Abol Pond on both sides of the road, photogenic views of the mountain and a productive wetland with abundant wildlife; keep your eyes open! Stump Pond is about 2.5 miles further down the road. There is a parking area with a short trail across the road to a viewing platform. For those unable to leave the vehicle, there is a single parking spot set aside just north of the main parking area, from which to view this popular wildlife pond. If you have 4-6 hours, entering Togue Pond Gate, we suggest: • The Kidney Pond campground spur road leaves the Park Tote Road just a short way beyond the sign for the Daicey Pond spur road, winding through bottomland forest and over Nesowadnehunk Stream into this former sporting camp. There is a spacious open picnic area and canoes and kayaks for rent. • Katahdin Stream Campground is the second campground you find along the Park Tote Road, about 8 miles beyond Togue Pond Gatehouse. Warning: Because this is a trailhead for the Hunt Trail up Katahdin, the parking lot here may be filled for the day; gate attendants will help you choose another hike. Wildnotes Leave No Trace Principle #7: Be Considerate of Other Visitors - Hike quietly so others can enjoy the wilderness - Yield to other hikers. Share the trail - Use pullouts to let other vehicles pass on the park roads. The slower you go, the more you see. 13
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