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New Policies Simplify Winter Use of Baxter State Park

December 01, 2009 - MILLINOCKETT -- A winter trek into Baxter State Park is the ultimate adventure for many Maine outdoor enthusiasts. The opportunity to explore this remote and rugged wilderness of unmatched scenery and solitude in the challenging conditions of wintertime is a truly rewarding experience.

Using backcountry skis or snowshoes and pulling a sled laden with gear and supplies, winter visitors can travel the unplowed park roads to their chosen destination. Summer campgrounds, buried under many feet of snow, offer campers a place to pitch a tent or, at selected sites, settle into a cozy bunkhouse with a wood stove.

Trout Brook Farm and South Branch Pond in the northern section of the park are popular winter destinations, with access to lots of trails and mountain peaks. In the south, Kidney Pond and Daicey Pond have rustic log cabins, great mountain views, and plenty of woods and ponds to explore.

Climbers, skiers and snowboarders will want to venture into Roaring Brook and then up to Chimney Pond to tackle the steep snow and ice slopes of the Mount Katahdin massif.

A winter expedition into the park is a serious endeavor, one that requires careful planning. The magnitude of the physical undertaking aside, there are also rules and regulations to deal with. Combined, these can be daunting tasks.

The park's winter season runs from Dec. 1 through March 31 for both day use and overnight camping. Day trippers who plan to hike below treeline don't need any special permission. Overnight users and those traveling above treeline, however, require a permit.

But there's good news for winter hikers and climbers frustrated by the old Baxter winter-permit system. Things have changed, and the formerly rigid process of organizing an extended winter visit has been streamlined.

"Some of the old policies were not conducive to the type of trip experience visitors wanted," said Jean Hoekwater, a naturalist and 24-year veteran of Baxter State Park. "Our winter policies are now more user-friendly, and reflect the desire for people to enjoy the range of decision-making people should have in the wilderness."

The new policies are a product of many hours of discussion among park officials, and a response to public input that sought a more accessible park in winter.

"Backcountry users are more sophisticated now," Hoekwater noted, "and we wanted to make the appropriate changes that encouraged more people to get out and use the resource."

Paperwork for a winter permit has been significantly reduced. Registrants need only complete a two-page form outlining desired trip dates, party size, camp sites requested, leader information, emergency notification and payment. The park has reduced the administrative period for processing from 10 to seven days.

There is no longer a minimum group size, although groups are limited to 10 persons to mitigate the impact on the environment and other groups. Solo campers and climbers are now allowed, provided they complete a supplemental two-page form.

The list of required gear has changed as well. The list, which had become increasingly rigid and hampered experienced users, is now a recommendation and is provided for guidance.

"The gear list now is what we think is necessary to have a safe and successful trip," Hoekwater said. "We expect people to use common sense. And no amount of rules and regulations are a substitute for common sense."

Regarding weather, the park has decided not to get between users and the outdoors. Under the old code system for climbing, if the park determined it was too dangerous to venture out, that was the final word. Now the weather determination is a recommendation; it's not mandatory.

"We want the users to make the judgment call. It's a leadership decision," said Hoekwater. "We'll make a solid recommendation, but we won't keep you from going out."

This is a huge departure from past weather policy. As a trip leader, this means that you make the decision, and thus you and your group bear the responsibility that goes with it, understanding full well that search and rescue may be delayed or impossible.

"Baxter is a wilderness park, and when you enter that arena, we believe that judgment is a part of that experience," Hoekwater said.

Park staff are on hand to assist with winter trip planning, an important resource that should not be ignored. Do take advantage of this readily available wealth of knowledge and experience that can help make your trip safer and more enjoyable.

For complete information on the new winter-use policies and procedures in Baxter State Park, go to www.baxterstateparkauthority.com or call 723-5140.

CAREY KISH, Portland Press Herald, Nov ember 26, 2009

Lakes:
Regions: Katahdin


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