Baxter State Park

Infobox Protected area
name = Baxter State Park
iucn_category = Ib


caption = Katahdin rises above Katahdin Stream Campground in Baxter State Park.
locator_x= |locator_y=
location = Piscataquis County, Maine, United States
nearest_city = Millinocket
lat_degrees=46 |lat_minutes=1 |lat_seconds=55 |lat_direction=N
long_degrees=68 |long_minutes=55 |long_seconds=47 |long_direction=W
area = 204,733 acres (829 km²)
established = March 3, 1931
visitation_num =
visitation_year =
governing_body = Baxter State Park Authority
world_heritage_site =

Baxter State Park is a large wilderness area permanently preserved as a state park, located in Piscataquis County in north-central Maine. It was established in 1931, and has grown to over 200,000 acres (800 km²) in size. The park is home to the state's highest peak, Katahdin. The number of visitors has been declining in the 21^st century, from 75,000 in 2000 to 55,000 in 2005. [cite news | last = Jermanok | first = Stephen | title = Delicate Terrain | work = The Boston Globe Magazine | pages = | language = | publisher = The Boston Globe | date = 2006-09-24 | url = http://www.boston.com/news/globe/magazine/articles/2006/09/24/delicate_terrain/ | accessdate = 2006-09-24 ]

Geography and climate

Katahdin Mountain consists of a cluster of mountains. One of the highest peak, Baxter Peak, is named after the governor and rises up to 5,267 feet. The mountain is the northern terminus of the Appalachian Trail. [National Geographic's guide to the state parks of the United States] .

There are many bodies of water in the park. The three largest bodies of water are Grand Lake Matagamon, Webster Lake, and Nesowadnehunk Lake. There are also several smaller ponds, such as Hudson, Draper, Russell, Center and the South Branch ponds. Numerous streams and rivers connect these water bodies, most prominently Trout Brook (between Grand Lake Matagamon and Nesowadnehunk Lake) and Nesowadnehunk Stream (connecting Nesowadnehunk Lake and the small collection of ponds near Sentinel Mt.). Some of these have waterfalls; Nesowadnehunk Stream has Big and Little Niagara Falls, as well as Ledge Falls. Wassataquoick Stream has two waterfalls, Grand and Norway; another popular waterfall is Green Falls, tucked between Bald Mt. and South Pogy Mt. None of this water is available for consumption, and the Park advises that visitors bring their own bottled water.

The climate of Baxter State Park lies within the Northern Forest Region of the American continent and experiences the cool, moist climate typical of this region. The annual mean temperature is 38.6 degrees Fahrenheit; (3.7 °C) the record high temperature is 95 degrees Fahrenheit (35 °C), and the record low stands at negative 45 °F (−43 °C). The average annual precipitation is 37 inches (this includes 100 inches per year of snow). Summer temperatures and conditions peak in the Park in July and August; fall foliage colors begin to emerge in early September and peak in late September or early October. Leaf-fall in deciduous trees is complete by the end of October. Lasting snowfall usually begins in mid to late November, and lasts through April. Leaves emerge on deciduous trees around the last week of May. Weather in Baxter State Park can be characterized primarily by its variability; snowfall can occur any month of the year, and temperatures can and do fluctuate widely around the averages.

Wildlife

Baxter State Park has a diverse population of wildlife, the most common of which are the moose, the black bear, and the white-tailed deer. These animals are most active during the summer months and can sometimes be seen from the road. The many marshes and bogs of the Park serve as habitats for such animals as beavers, muskrats, otters, and raccoons. There are several active beaver colonies within the Park's perimeters. Wooded areas of the Park support other types of wildlife, including bobcats, fishers, martens, weasels, chipmunks, red squirrels, snowshoe hares, coyotes, lemmings, and red foxes. There is also an avian population in the Park; the most common birds are warblers, thrushes, and flycatchers as well as owls, hawks, and ducks and other wetland birds.

History

The Park was a gift to the people of Maine from Gov. Percival P. Baxter, who used his personal wealth over a 32-year period to purchase and donate the original convert|201018|acre|km2|0 of the park. Since Gov. Baxter's death in 1969 the park has been increased to a total of convert|209501|acre|km2|0, including the 2006 addition of a convert|4678|acre|km2|0|sing=on parcel and spectacular Katahdin Lake [http://www.baxterstateparkauthority.com/aboutus/index.html] . Park Headquarters is located over twenty miles (32 km) from the actual park in the small town of Millinocket. There are no stores or gas stations inside the park. Access and use are strictly regulated in accordance with Gov. Baxter's expressed desire to keep the Park "forever wild."

Infrastructure

Inside the Park boundary there is no electricity, running water, or paved roads. Even the use of two-way radios, stereos, and cell phones is banned, to remain consistent with the "forever wild" philosophy. Winter hiking in the 209,501 acre (848 km²) park is strictly regulated, but increasingly popular. The Park is open to overnight camping from May 15th to October 15th. Only northbound long distance Appalachian Trail hikers can stay in the Park without reservations; they are limited to one night's stay at The Birches camping area, which is limited to the first twelve hikers to sign in at an information kiosk several southbound trail miles away just inside the Park's southern boundary. In addition to hiking and camping, the Park allows limited hunting and fishing, some snowmobile access, and operates a small scientific forestry project.

Police and fire protection within the Park is provided by the state of Maine; waste disposal and recycling is largely taken care of by those who visit the park. Maintenance is done by the many volunteer workers and paid employees of the Park. The current park director is Jensen Bissell.

Quote

"The works of man are short-lived. Monuments decay, buildings crumble and wealth vanishes, but Katahdin in its massive grandeur will forever remain the mountain of the people of Maine. Throughout the ages it will stand as an inspiration to the men and women of the state."

"-Percival P. Baxter" - as quoted in "Katahdin Section Guide to The Appalachian Trail in Maine"

References

*"Katahdin Section, Guide to the Appalachian Trail in Maine, 7th Edition", Myron Avery, Helon Taylor, and Jean Stephenson

External links

* [http://www.baxterstateparkauthority.com Official Baxter State Park website]