Baxter Winter Trip

“I was wondering if anyone has done any winter backpacking in Baxter yet this year or have it in the planning for later this year? I have checked out many a pictures, including many that Pennsy posted, and it has me very intrigued. What is the normal itinerary for a trip up there? Do you basecamp somewhere and dayhike or just backpack. I know there's plenty of rules and criteria on the Baxter page regarding times and equipment but I just wanted to know what people did in the past. Any pics would be helpful. I'm dreaming of snow and although I'm not quite yet ready to be a winter backpacker through and through I'd like to get in on a trip if there's one coming around next year.”

“There are various regulations for winter camping at Baxter. See http://www.baxterstateparkauthority.com/camping/win_procedures.html

Winter can be extreme. I don't think this place is appropriate for you now or even in a year if you are not quite ready to be a winter backpacker.”

“Actually if you can figure out the reservation system Baxter is a great place to winter "camp" in the cabins, woodstoves, bunks, firewwod. Pretty Luxurious.”

“I was just on a Baxter trip between Xmas and New Years. Fortunatly for me one of our group is from Maine and familiar with the Baxter res system. He drove up to Millinocket in Nov and was first in line for the Dec. reservations.
We had the bunkhouse at Roaring Brook for one night and the same at Chimney Pond for three. From the Saddle trail we summitted both Hamlin and Baxter Peaks and had a blast. We were carrying gear to do the Knife Edge but heavy wind thwarted that plan.
There were two other groups at Chimney staying in three sided shelters but the bunkhouses are the way to go. One member of our group went down to the pond for water and broke though the ice. Without the heated cabin he would have been in trouble.”

“Edoc, I've done some winter camping/hiking so I'm not totally a virgin at it. The reason for the post was to get with a group of people who were experienced at it so I get a little more knowledge about the different style of backpacking. Thanks for the support.”

“Checkout the trips page there are plenty of winter trips posted, just not in Baxter. Baxter is a bit of a pain because of the reservation system. There are plenty of people here that do winter trips that would be glad to help you out with info.”

“Thanks for the comments, def. will look into it further but I don't think anythings going to happen until next winter, I'll have better/warmer gear then.”

“FYAO is a great winter trip with lots of experienced people. It is a base camp style trip which allows you to drag in more gear for more comfort.”

“Yeah I have been following that thread here and there and would love to get there but this year is a no go. Next year is a different story.”

“where are you from HikingFF?”

“I'm from good old Pennsylvania. Outside of Philly by about an hour. Nearer to Reading. What about you? I know Pennsy's from PA obviously and I know a few others on here from PA, been on a hike with them two winters ago.”

“hFF77500, Sorry to offend but you asked about winter backpacking at Baxter and "I'm not quite yet ready to be a winter backpacker". Thats different from base camping or staying in a cabin.”

“Oh God another PA Bonehead!”

“That's right and a proud bonehead at that.

edac: no offense taken, what I meant about not being a winter camper is the lack of the right down clothes to be out there freezing my arse off, but come next year I will have the proper attire.”

“I've been taking trips to Baxter in winter for about 7 years now, 2-3 each year. Not all trips to the park must involve Katahdin, and I've never hiked it in winter.

So if your main goal isn't Katahdin...

The reservation system for winter isn't as tight as the regular season. However, I always reserve on November 1st, which is opening day for winter, because I go on holiday weekends and I want the bunkhouses. Camping is from December 1st to March 31st, and you can make camp at any site where there is a fire ring - you can tent or lean-to as well as bunkhouse.

A good first trip is to any of the bunkhouses that are 4-6 miles in. You can pay someone to haul your gear in, or you can backpack or use a haul seld. We use haul sleds that we rigged ourselves.

There is a list of required gear, and it's best to have it. Except we all wonder why we have to have a wind chill chart, but I bring it anyway, LOL...

A couple of points to remember - 1) don't rely on rangers, be prepared to take care of yourselves; 2) the weather is unpredictable and is always worse than predicted for Millinocket or Patten.
Oh yeah, a third would be to know where you are in relation to getting help if necessary, especially before doing anything risky.

Hope this helps.
last edited: 2/05/07 11:27:21 AM”

“Thanks twigeater, it's more of what I was looking for in terms of an answer. I'm not out to summit to peak the first winter trip, BUT, if the weather looked decent and there was no sign of bad weather and I was with the right people, I'd love to do it. Hopefully I'll get to get there next year.

Thanks”

“your welcome.

You have to be approved two weeks prior to the trip, so the weather is a crap shoot.

day use is different.”

“Having lived in Maine for several years I would strongly advise you not to underestimate the risks of Baxter in the winter. The weather can range from mid 20's to _way_ below zero at any given time. The rule of thumb for example is don't plant anything in a garden before memorial day becasue of the risk of frost, and if you don't have everything but brussel spouts out of the garden by Labor day be prepared to lose it. Wind chills of -40 F are not uncommon. My elementary kids had outdoor recess if the temp was 0 or above. They walked to school unless the temp was -20 F.

This is not to discourage you, but simply to let you know what you can expect. if you are not outfitted for winter camping do _not_ make Baxter your first attempt. You are miles from help of any kind and many more miles from medical emergency aid. Most of the horror stories you uhear are likely true.”