The nature of Baxter Park The Park is home to numerous mountains, the two most notable clusters being the peaks comprising and surrounding the Katahdin massif and the cluster of peaks in the [...]

The nature of Baxter Park

The Park is home to numerous mountains, the two most notable clusters being the peaks comprising
and surrounding the Katahdin massif and the cluster of peaks in the northern part of the Park
consisting of the Traveler Range. Pink and white Katahdin granite make up the rugged mountains
on the southern end of the Park while the Traveler range further to the north is composed of
Rhyolite with prominent columnar jointing visible in many places. The north end also features
sedimentary rock in certain localities. Glacial features are abundantly evident throughout
the Park in the form of kettle ponds, eskers, moraines, erratics, the Knife Edge arête,
the glacial cirques of Katahdin and the splendid U-shaped valley running north to south from
the Travelers to South Turner.

The mountains combine with a wide array of ponds, lakes, streams, waterfalls and bogs to create
a varied and beautiful landscape. Favorite waterfalls include Katahdin Stream Falls, Big and
Little Niagara Falls and the remote Green Falls. Two of the most significant streams are
Nesowadnehunk Stream and Wassataquoik Stream. Ponds such as Kidney and Daicey Ponds,
Grassy Pond, Rocky Pond and the Fowler Ponds, among many others, provide excellent fishing
in most cases and the chance to canoe with friends and family with the scenic north woods as
a backdrop. We have numerous bogs with the associated plants, birds and wildlife unique
to such areas. In the forested areas, wildlife includes moose, deer, bear, otter, mink, marten,
fisher, weasel, coyote, bobcat, beaver, muskrat, raccoon, woodchucks, snowshoe hare, squirrels,
chipmunks, flying squirrels, mice, voles, lemmings. Avid birders enjoy the variety
of environments found in the Park, resulting in sightings of many different wood warblers,
thrushes, and flycatchers as well as game birds, several species of owls and hawks, and many
ducks and other wetland birds. Amphibians and reptiles are representative of freshwater
habitats throughout northern New England and provide our young campers some engaging
encounters. Insect life is abundant and diverse, including some beautiful beetles,
dragonflies and butterflies, however, the insatiable black fly seems to have achieved
the greatest notoriety in the memories of some of our campers!