Baxster State Park: North Brother, South Brother, Coe

The Rocket and Katahdin

This is the pond we camped beside

Making our way up the rugged O-J-I Trail

Doubletop from the Tote Road

A swampy marsh area we came across

I like how this tree is taking over the trail. I hope they never cut it down

Doubletop

Nearing the col of North & South Brother

Toad

The Maine woods are beautiful

The first look at Katahdin

The view from North Brother

Fort Mt

Hamlin Peak

Nice & Sexy

It's windy above timberline

Running out of steam

A couple more mushrooms

North Brother from South Brother

Coe from South Brother

Big Bad Katahdin

A look into the woods

South and North Brothers

Chesuncook Lake and Doubletop

Enjoying the view of the mighty K

Here comes The Rocket

Mount Katahdin

The unexpected slide on Coe

The slide

Johnny Rocket 

Some nice mossy lined brooks along the way

Pretty little brook

Some interesting colors here

Another toad

As a tune up to our hike up to Katahdin, Johnny Rocket and I decided to take on the Brothers and Coe.  This ultimately would turn out to be a 22 mile tune up.

Baxster State Park happens to be one of the most restricted major park in the country.  We reserved a spot for Katahdin Stream Parking Area.  Not knowing I could park at the trailhead for the Marston Trail, we walked the 6 miles on the Tote Road.  On the way out, we were fortunate to get a ride after walking 3 miles.   My mental error tacked on an extra 9 miles.  On the dirt road, yes, but still it was 9 miles.

Johnny Rocket and I started out in the rain.  The previous night, I saw more stars in the sky than I ever have.  But upon waking up the sound of raindrops on the tent were unmistakable.  The rain would tack on another needless mile, although a fine one.  We started up the O-J-I Slide Trail.  A few trail maintainers followed us in.  They told us the slide would be treacherous in the rain.  We eventually turned around.  But not before the Rocket fell in to some water a knee deep.

The rain ceased by the time we started up the Marston Trail.  Much of the rest of the walk would be fairly dry.  Part of the reason for doing this hike, would be as a shake down.  The real reason, though, would be peakbagging.  All three summits are among New England's 100 highest.  North Brother, being over 4,000 feet, is also among New England's 4000 footers.  Whether I complete these lists or not doesn't really matter.  But I'm glad these silly goals take me to places I may otherwise have never bothered.

We then made it to the col of North and South Brother.  The ascent up North Brother would be a bit rugged in spots.  Then just below the summit, we were above timberline.  The first views of the trip of Katahdin could be seen.  Having not been here before, I found the layout of the land a bit difficult.  Despite this, there was no doubt about the knife edge.  You could easily make out its saw-like features.

From North Brother we worked our way south to its little brother.  South Brother's summit also sits above timberline.  Views could be had in all directions.  This area reminds me a lot of the Adirondacks.  The terrain is quite similar and there are lakes upon lakes in every direction.  I wish I knew their names, but I had no intention of lugging the road atlas up here.

After South Brother, we made our final ascent up Coe.  Like the Brothers, Coe offered up views in all directions.  Unlike the Brothers, Coe's descent would be rather tricky.  Johnny Rocket's feet did not appreciate a descent of a slide in the late afternoon.  It'd be slow going, but the slide would be dry.  We eventually made it back to the road.  A little more than a tune-up for Katahdin, but truly a great hike.  Outstanding views were to be had for much of the day, along with gorgeous terrain.  On top of that, some scrambling would be involved.  And Johnny Rocket likes scrambling (well, not so much after a long day)!!!