Beautiful Baxter State Park: Wassataquoik Lake & Green Falls (Part 1)

Russell Pond to Deep Pond

Our second day hiking at Baxter State Park in north-central Maine. After great deliberations last night, several parties emerged. It seems one group is going to make a summit attempt on Hamlin Peak, but I am still feeling a little gassed from my hike out yesterday, which was more than intense than not undertaken by the other members of my group, and flight from Utah. I still hope to do Hamlin later in the week, however, for today, I opt to join second group, take the advice of the Russell Pond ranger, and head to Green Falls and Wassataquoik Lake.

By midmorning, we are underway for the day, me solo, trailing the other members of my group slightly, partially in the hopes that this will present more wildlife opportunities. After a short double back at the start, I start rolling northbound for good on the Wassataquoik Lake Trail. I make a quick detour out to Deep Pond in order to see if there are any moose hanging out there, but there are none.

Deep Pond to Wassataquoik Lake

Returning to the main trail, I continue northbound from Deep Pond to Six Ponds. The trail descends from a slight ridge and crosses the outlet stream connecting two of the ponds. There’s a great view of each of the two at this point.

After soaking in the view and the sound of the running water in between, a rarity for where I now live in the desert, I head north, once again, and come to a point where it isn’t entirely clear where the trail forks to the left whether a particular fork in the trail is actually a fork. Testing one of the routes, it quickly becomes clear that it isn’t an actual trail, however, I find bushes full of blueberries in the process. A tasty treat!

Continuing on the main trail once again, I ultimately reach the east end of Wassataquoik Lake. From here I hop in a kayak and paddle the remainder of the distance to Green Falls, where I happen to cross paths with two other members of our group who came up this way. Then, it’s on to the falls themselves, a close encounter with loons, a stop at a lake overlook, and back to Russell Pond for the evening.

Baxter State Park Route Logistics

	Baxter State Park: Wassataquoik Lake Trail to Overlook
Trails Involved	Wassataquoik Lake Trail Short spurs on trails to Deep Pond, Green Falls, Wassataquoik Lake Overlook
Trail Surface	Singletrack
Length	As described from Russell Pond to Wassataquoik Lake Overlook, main stem (one way): 9.8 miles Full trail distance (Russell Pond to Park Road at Nesowadnehunk Field): 13.6 miles Minor additional spurs to Deep Pond (0.1 mile one way), Green Falls (0.3 miles), Wassataquoik Lake Overlook (0.3 mile)
Ideal Season	Late spring, summer, fall (winter doable but cold and snowy)
Water Sources	Wassataquoik Lake & various tributary streams. Ponds generally unadvisable due to beaver activity.
Trailhead	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	Foot access only at end described in account. 2WD gravel road access at opposite end (not described in account).
Wilderness	Yes, Baxter operates under a “forever wilderness” principle similar to the federal Wilderness Act.
Campsites	Russell Pond Wassataquoik Island Wassataquoik Lake Little Wassataquoik Lake Shelter Nesowadnehunk Field Shelter & Huts Reservations required at all
Hazards	* Storms, especially for paddling on lake * High water crossings
Highlights	On route described above: * Greenery * Six Ponds * Deep Pond * Views of Katahdin massif * Wassataquoik Lake * Green Falls * Wassataquoik Lake Overlook