A storm last Friday brought 7-8" of new snow and a trace of ice to Chimney Pond and the higher elevations of the Park.

The temperature at Chimney Pond last night was a balmy 15 degrees and Friday brought 7-8" of new snow and a trace of ice to Chimney Pond and the higher elevations of the Park.

Sadly, Baxter Park has lost a friend. Avid hiker and outdoor writer Brad Viles is gone.  Anyone who knew Brad will remember his always friendly approach with an ear always ready for a story – especially about hiking or camping or any outdoor activity.  Brad’s many stories in the Bangor Daily News are a testament to his interest and experience in hiking, camping and the people who liked the outdoors. Unlike most others, Brad always called to check the factsbefore sending in his article - his objective was always to get it right and to help others enjoy the outdoors.

Sadly, Baxter Park has lost a friend.  Avid hiker and outdoor writer Brad Viles is gone.  Anyone who knew Brad will remember his always friendly approach with an ear always ready for a story – especially about hiking or camping or any outdoor activity.  Brad’s many stories in the Bangor Daily News are a testament to his interest and experience in hiking, camping and the people who liked the outdoors. Unlike most others, Brad always called to check the factsbefore sending in his article - his objective was always to get it right and to help others enjoy the outdoors.

 In recent years, Brad contributed to the annual Youth Wilderness Leadership Program in Baxter Park organized by the Friends of Baxter State Park.  Brad’s work with these motivated kids in how to journal their experience often surfaced as a highlight in the trip evaluations provided by the participants.  The observations and heartfelt joy found in Brad’s book  Dreaming the Appalachian Trail, A Backpacking Novel,  declares Brad’s love for the natural world, especially as viewed from the campfire, a lean-to, or on the high ridge of a mountain trail.

Happy Trails, Brad.

Chimney Pond has been below zero F. for several nights recently.  Basin Pond is holding 12" of ice.  The Roaring Brook Road and the Chimney Pond Trail are both good for skiing at this time, but the current weather forecast includes rain for Monday night.  Rain in the winter is just plain wrong.  The Saddle Trail has been broken out to the Tableland and waist deep or deeper snow lays at the approach to the Saddle, and Dudley Trails.  Cross country skiing in the Togue Pond area is good.  Skiiers should expect to meet snowmobile traffic on the Park Tote Road.  The Logan Pond road was groomed for snowmobile traffic last night for the first time this year.
Trail conditions into South Branch Pond from Matagamon are fair with a soft snow cover over an icy base.  The trail from South Branch to Russell has about 6 to 10" of snow and is bony in spots.

Baxter Park held a very successful Opening Day of Reservations on Tuesday, January 12.  Deirdre Fleming covered the event for the Portland Press Herald.  You can read Deirdre's great story here:  http://www.pressherald.com/life/outdoors/if-youre-on-the-baxter-line-you-join-a-special-group_2012-01-22.html 

Chimney Pond has been below zero F. for several nights recently.  Basin Pond is holding 12" of ice.  The Roaring Brook Road and the Chimney Pond Trail are both good for skiing at this time, but the current weather forecast includes rain for Monday night.  Rain in the winter is just plain wrong.  The Saddle Trail has been broken out to the Tableland and waist deep or deeper snow lays at the approach to the Saddle, and Dudley Trails.  Cross country skiing in the Togue Pond area is good.  Skiiers should expect to meet snowmobile traffic on the Park Tote Road.  The Logan Pond road was groomed for snowmobile traffic last night for the first time this year.
Trail conditions into South Branch Pond from Matagamon are fair with a soft snow cover over an icy base.  The trail from South Branch to Russell has about 6 to 10" of snow and is bony in spots.

Baxter Park held a very successful Opening Day of Reservations on Tuesday, January 12.  Deirdre Fleming covered the event for the Portland Press Herald.  You can read Deirdre's great story here:  http://www.pressherald.com/life/outdoors/if-youre-on-the-baxter-line-you-join-a-special-group_2012-01-22.html  

The snow is now up to 41" on the measurement stick at Chimney Pond.

Chimney Pond received about 2" of snow wet snow and a trace of rain Tuesday night on top of the   29" base layer. 

About 29" of firm snow lay on the ground at Chimney Pond.  The low temperature Sunday night was minus 11 degrees F.  Ice routes are building and many are reasonably good.   the Saddle Trail has been broken out to Baxter Peak.  The Park Tote Road is fair for skiing and tow sleds.  Woodland trails will be mostly good, but may still have bare or icy spots.  Snow depths are currently not sufficient for ski travel or sleds on the Chimney Pond Trail but the forecast suggests more snow Tuesday night and Wednesday.  For more details on current trail conditions and access status, campers are advised to call our hiker information line at 207-723- 4636 or Park Headquarters at 207-723-5140.
Opening Day for 2012 camping reservations is set for Tuesday, January 17.  We expect to open the doors to Headquarters between 6:30 and 7:00am.  We are looking forward to seeing long-time campers and new visitors alike as we start the reservation process for the 2012 summer camping season.

About 6" of additional snow has fallen at Chimney Pond since Thursday morning.  Strong winds are now drifting the snow.  The Park Tote Road is fair for skiing and tow sleds and snowmobile traffic is expected to begin this weekend.  Woodland trails will be mostly good, but may still have bare or icy spots.  Snow depths are currently not sufficient for ski travel or sleds on the Chimney Pond Trail.  There is 30" of snow on the ground at Chimney Pond (2914' elevation)  For more details on current trail conditions and access status, campers are advised to call our hiker information line at 207-723- 4636 or Park Headquarters at 207-723-5140.

Opening Day for 2012 camping reservations is set for Tuesday, January 17.  We expect to open the doors to Headquarters between 6:30 and 7:00am as Monday night promises to be a cold one.  We are looking forward to seeing long-time campers and new visitors alike as we start the reservation process.



2010 Opening Day crowd



Thursday's snowfall added about 4" of snow to the Park landscape.  The Park Tote Road is fair for skiing and tow sleds.  Woodland trails will be mostly good, but may still have bare or icy spots.  Snow depths are currently not sufficient for ski travel or sleds on the Chimney Pond Trail.  There is 25" of snow on the ground at Chimney Pond (2914' elevation)  For more details on current trail conditions and access status, campers are advised to call our hiker information line at 207-723- 4636 or Park Headquarters at 207-723-5140.

Thursday, January 12 was a great day for Baxter State Park.  The Baxter State Park Authority accepted a generous and foresighted gift of 142 acres of land on the shore of Katahdin Lake from Huber Resources Corporation.  This gift is a wonderful addition to the Park and in perfect keeping with Percival Baxter’s vision.  Remaining “Forever Wild”, this portion of the historic Keep Lot will provide recreation opportunities to generations of Mainers.

Snow continues to be sparse in the Park and include a mix of ice, hard crust snow and bare ground.We are hoping for some snow accumulation in the coming storm.  Forecasts are for only a few inches, but every inch will help at this point. Chimney Pond has varying depths of snow, mostly less than 12 inches. Larger streams may be still be open. Most Ponds have ice but caution is advised. The Park is closed to automobile traffic due to hazardous road conditions with patchy snow and ice on Park roads. Foot access to most sections of the Park will be hiking with some skiing available on higher terrain, but conditions are very changeable due to low snow levels. For the most current trail conditions and access status, campers are advised to call our hiker information line at 207-723- 4636 or Park Headquarters at 207-723-5140

Snow continues to be sparse in the Park and include a mix of ice, hard crust snow and bare ground.Chimney Pond has varying depths of snow, mostly less than 12 inches. Larger streams may be still be open. Most Ponds have ice but caution is advised. The Park is closed to automobile traffic due to hazardous road conditions with patchy snow and ice on Park roads. Foot access to most sections of the Park will be hiking with some skiing available on higher terrain, but conditions are very changeable due to low snow levels. For the most current trail conditions and access status, campers are advised to call our hiker information line at 207-723- 4636 or Park Headquarters at 207-723-5140