Beautiful Baxter State Park: Backpacking Roaring Brook-Russell Pond (Part 2)

Wassataquoik Stream Lean-Tos-Russell Pond

Wassataquoik Stream Trail to Grand Falls Trail Jct

Our first full day at Baxter State Park in north-central Maine continues after arriving from Boston yesterday. I arrive at the Wassataquoik Stream lean-tos around midafternoon, and enjoy the view from the first while I have a brief snack, then I’m back on the trail again. I make the first crossing of the one branch of Wassataquoik Stream; the current is steady but the water is pretty shallow. Through a small patch of wildflowers on a bulb of land sticking into the stream confluence, and it’s around to the crossing of the second fork. This is more of a diagonal crossing, deeper but with less current. The water is chilly, but ultimately only reaches maybe my mid-thigh at the ferry-angle crossing.

I climb up the opposite bank, change out my socks and pull on a pair of waterproof socks over them in order to allow the shoes a chance to dry without soaking the socks underneath. At the top of the embankment, the trail splits; the main Wassataquoik Stream trail turns left for the more direct approach to Russell Pond, while I turn right and head out to Grand Falls instead. Including the short spur to the falls themselves, it’ll be about 4 miles this way.   Not sure if anyone else will be stopping here in either direction, so I figure if I’m going to make sure that I work it in, I need to do it now.  Based on a group I spoke to earlier on the hike out to the lean-tos, there are no crossing issues here, just overgrowth.  

Grand Falls Trail (Wassataquoik Stream Jct to Grand Falls)

Well, there is definitely overgrowth.  The trail involves some minor bushwhacking for a stretch on the way to Ledge Falls along the combined stream.  Ledge Falls appears to be aptly named – the stream (well, at home in Utah it would be a river) falls over a series of small ledges as it flows northward. After a mile and a half or so, the spur trail splits toward Grand Falls.  

The spur trail starts out damp, with a stretch through a pretty wet swamp. At one point I mistakenly think that the trail goes through one of the sodden areas, because, well, it made sense with some of the trail conditions and designs seen to that point that day. I catch the error pretty quickly though, and get back on the trail. The trail dries out approaching the falls, though, as it begins to run on the west rim of the granite chute containing the stream. A number of overlooks are visible along the 0.5-1 mile stretch paralleling the granite chute through which Wassataquoik Stream falls as it heads toward the park boundary.  At one, a class 3 or so scramble afforded the ability to get down to creek level and look back up toward part of the falls, rather than just viewing them from above.  The lichen out here are incredible, like miniature trees growing on the rocks. Then it’s back to the junction and west toward Russell Pond.  

Baxter State Park Route Logistics

	Baxter State Park: Roaring Brook to Wassataquoik Stream Lean-tos (depicted above)	Roaring Brook to Russell Pond via Sandy Stream Pond, Wassataquoik Stream Trail & Grand Falls Trail (overall route of day)	Roaring Brook to Russell Pond direct	Roaring Brook to Russell Pond via Sandy Stream Pond alone	Roaring Brook to Russell Pond via Sandy Stream Pond, Wassataquoik Stream Trails
Trails Involved	* Sandy Stream Pond Trail * Russell Pond Trail * Wassataquoik Stream Trail	* Sandy Stream Pond Trail * Russell Pond Trail * Wassataquoik Stream Trail * Grand Falls Trail	Russell Pond Trail	* Sandy Stream Pond Trail * Russell Pond Trail	* Sandy Stream Pond Trail * Russell Pond Trail * Wassataquoik Stream Trail
Trail Surface	Singletrack	Singletrack	Singletrack	Singletrack	Singletrack
Length	16.6 miles
Ideal Season	Late spring, summer, fall (winter doable but cold and snowy)	Late spring, summer, fall (winter doable but cold and snowy)	Late spring, summer, fall (winter doable but cold and snowy)	Late spring, summer, fall (winter doable but cold and snowy)	Late spring, summer, fall (winter doable but cold and snowy)
Water Sources	Various tributary streams as well as Wassataquoik Stream. No water sources between second crossing of Wassataquoik Stream and Russell Pond.	Various tributary streams as well as Wassataquoik Stream. No flowing water sources between second crossing of Wassataquoik Stream and spring near Russell Pond.	Various tributary streams as well as Wassataquoik Stream. No flowing water sources until after Sandy Stream Pond Trail junction.	Various tributary streams as well as Wassataquoik Stream. First flowing source after Roaring Brook is on Russell Pond Trail after completing Sandy Stream Pond trail.	Various tributary streams as well as Wassataquoik Stream. First flowing source after Roaring Brook is on Russell Pond Trail after completing Sandy Stream Pond trail.
Trailheads	Roaring Brook as described, though Russell Pond can be accessed via Wassataquoik Lake Trail and Pogue Notch Trail from the northwest and north (respectively) as well.	Roaring Brook as described, though Russell Pond can be accessed via Wassataquoik Lake Trail and Pogue Notch Trail from the northwest and north (respectively) as well.	Roaring Brook as described, though Russell Pond can be accessed via Wassataquoik Lake Trail and Pogue Notch Trail from the northwest and north (respectively) as well.	Roaring Brook as described, though Russell Pond can be accessed via Wassataquoik Lake Trail and Pogue Notch Trail from the northwest and north (respectively) as well.	Roaring Brook as described, though Russell Pond can be accessed via Wassataquoik Lake Trail and Pogue Notch Trail from the northwest and north (respectively) as well.
Trailhead Access	2WD vehicular access. Reservations required to enter Baxter State Park.	2WD vehicular access. Reservations required to enter Baxter State Park.	2WD vehicular access. Reservations required to enter Baxter State Park.	2WD vehicular access. Reservations required to enter Baxter State Park.	2WD vehicular access. Reservations required to enter Baxter State Park.
Wilderness	Yes, Baxter operates under a “forever wilderness” principle similar to the federal Wilderness Act.	Yes, Baxter operates under a “forever wilderness” principle similar to the federal Wilderness Act.	Yes, Baxter operates under a “forever wilderness” principle similar to the federal Wilderness Act.	Yes, Baxter operates under a “forever wilderness” principle similar to the federal Wilderness Act.	Yes, Baxter operates under a “forever wilderness” principle similar to the federal Wilderness Act.
Campsites	Wassataquoik Stream Lean-tos	* Wassataquoik Stream Lean-tos * Russell Pond	Russell Pond	* Wassataquoik Stream Lean-tos * Russell Pond	* Wassataquoik Stream Lean-tos * Russell Pond
Hazards	* Storms * High water crossings	* Storms * High water crossings	* Storms * High water crossings	* Storms * High water crossings	* Storms * High water crossings
Highlights	* Greenery * Water * Views of Katahdin * Wildlife	* Greenery * Water * Views of Katahdin * Wildlife * Grand Falls of Wassataquoik Stream	* Greenery * Water * Views of Katahdin * Wildlife	* Greenery * Water * Views of Katahdin * Wildlife	* Greenery * Water * Views of Katahdin * Wildlife