lesser hikes now and it makes me a little sad as the views from the top are beyond words. Even when we only made it half way up a couple years ago, the good part of the decision not to fully climb Katahdin was to explore the myriad of other hikes in the Park, which Senator Baxter so selfl essly purchased and preserved for the people of Maine.


Katahdin is in the south end of Baxter


State Park. Sewall House is near Patten, the north entrance. One of my favorite hikes there is the Howe Brook Trail, which starts with the option to canoe across a tiny por- tion of a lake, then hike along a brook until you end up at a tall thin waterfall. There are many others I have yet to explore. At the top, you can luxuriate in the cold water of the falls or have your lunch on the boulders that the stream pours over and around.


On the way into Baxter, closer to


Sewall House, is Shin Brook Falls, a strong falls that runs harder in the Spring and early summer, becoming gentler as the summer moves on, allowing for climb- ing up the rocky ledges or massaging the shoulder sitting under the tumbling waters of the falls. There are many paths in, some steeper than others, on this short hike. The longer way comes along the gurgling stream. With backtracking from there you arrive looking down at the falls, then walk down to gaze from below or enjoy the waters at the bottom of the falls that create a Jacuzzi effect on the shoulders in the shallow pool it arrives at.


Many of our guests ask about wildlife, particularly bear. Though I have sighted bear, it is usually from the car in the dis- tance. The bear of northern Maine want little to do with us. Moose sightings are always a treat, sometimes on hikes and sometimes at the lake though the past few years it seems less. This reminds me that it is not the woods of my ancestor’s time, or even the woods of my childhood, but northern Maine is still alive with much wildlife to enjoy.


There are hikes only the locals (and


avid hikers who seek out such places) know about. One of them is Mount Chase, a nicely challenging but not overwhelming hike off Mountain Road on Route 11 past Patten, which becomes a scenic highway if you miss the turnoff! If you do not miss the turnoff, Mount Chase offers panoramic views that cannot be beat, as well as an intriguing tiny cabin, once occupied by the


family that watched for forest fi res there years ago.


(Note: The original Fire Tower for Mt. Chase can be found at the Lumber- man’s Museum in Patten which is on Route 159W. The weekend before Memorial Day, they also hold their annual Fiddlehead Fes- tival offering history, live musical talent and local crafts and food treats. http://www. lumbermensmuseum.org)


Another option is Sugarloaf, which I


have not done in years because the road is rough, but with the proper vehicles people are still enjoying this great hike. Here you can locate with a little sleuthing a sample of the fossils that led Robert Neubauer to his theory of the Appalachian Mountains continuing all the way into Europe and Morroco. Find more info at www.interna- tionalatmaine.org. There is also an easier route that you can access with a hike in just past Shin Pond, which I look forward to exploring this summer.


Many of the “local” hikes are not well marked, (making them an adventure) which brings me to the most recent development, sure to help this area, which no longer thrives on potato and dairy farming or logging. Last year 87,563 acres, known as the Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument (KWW), became the 413th National Park Services Unit. Adjacent to Baxter, there are views of Mount Katahdin, waterfalls and campsites that feed the soul of those craving nature. I have taken the two mile hike up Barnard Mountain, found


just before mile 12 on the Katahdin Loop Road. This can be accessed from the Swift Brook Road off Route 11 south from Sher- man (exit 264, I-95). This trail offers a fan- tastic view of Mount Katahdin and Katah- din Lake. From the Monument’s far north entrance, which can be found by taking the second left after you cross over the East Branch of the Penobscot River in Matagam- on, just before the north entrance of Baxter, I have experienced a ten mile walk that is a great bike path as well and offers waterfalls at Haskell and Grand Pitch that exemplify


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