Beautiful Baxter State Park: Wassataquoik Lake & Green Falls (Part 2)

Welcome back to Aspen’s Tracks, hiking from Russell Pond to Wassataquoik Lake at Baxter State Park in Maine, and then paddling by kayak along the length of the lake, making stops at Green Falls and an overlook at the west end of the lake. Overcast for most of the day, but the clouds finally broke at the overlook and on the return paddle east on the lake.

Wassataquoik Lake Paddle & Green Falls

Hiking further 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. A short hike leads up from the lakeshore, passing a junction with the main lake trail and ending at the falls. The ranger’s description of the falls themselves is pretty accurate, they are an emerald green from all of the moss underneath the flowing water. Definitely a very nice effect that sets it apart from many of the other falls that I’ve seen.

Hiking back down to the lake and continuing in the kayak, I paddle to the west end of the lake with the intent of hiking up to the west side of Wassataquoik Lake Lookout just a short distance beyond. On my way there, I hear an echoing cry that captures my attention. I am mediately think of loons and start looking around, and soon my searching is rewarded. An adult and a chick are paddling around the lake and the echoing cry of the adult sounds around the lake basin.

Lake Overlook & Return Paddle

After soaking in the loons for a while, I pull up on the shore and head up to Wassataquoik Lake Overlook, where I meet one of our other group members and spend some time soaking in the view of the lake. While there, the clouds part and the sun breaks through, lighting up the mountainsides and parts of the lake, one of the more beautiful sights that I have seen in a while.

Retracing my steps back down to the lake, I hop back in the kayak and begin paddling back across the glasslike surface of the lake. I encounter the loons again – this time, two adults paddling along the water and diving underneath it for up to tens of yards at a time. Just serene. I paddle all the way to the far east end of the lake and around the island, pausing in the portion just north of the island to absorb the mirror-still and crystal clear water that allows you to see the bottom of the lake, the reflection of the mountains beside the lake, the mountains themselves, and the sky above.

Return to Russell Pond via Wassataquoik Lake Trail

Returning the kayak, I begin the return hike with one short detour – our group member I met at the lookout had tipped me off that he had seen a moose just west of the kayak launch site, so I walk a half mile or so west on the trail there through the area he mentioned, but no luck. So I begin my return trek, pausing briefly at Six Ponds for a short but spectacular sunset canoe paddle before arriving back at Russell Pond and rejoining the rest of our group around dusk to hear their tales of the day.

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