Wassataquoik Lake

Dogs No Dogs

Features Birding · Commonly Backpacked · Fall Colors · Lake · River/Creek · Swimming · Views · Waterfall · Wildflowers · Wildlife

This hike takes you to a new shelter on the north end of Wassataquoik Lake. This site has a canoe as well as a shingled shelter lean-to and a fire ring. A short hike from the shelter takes you to the upper ridge overlooking the lake where there is a beautiful view looking south through the valley.

At mile 6 from Roaring Brook Campground, you'll need to cross Wassataquoik Stream to continue on. This is the only obstacle along the trail. The trails are mostly gravel and grass along this route. Water is not scarce along this route either, but be sure to bring a filter or other purification system. There is a water crossing at mile 6 at the Wassataquoik Stream crossing where you must cross to continue. Permits are needed to stay in the park. Contact the Baxter Park ranger's office: 207-723-4636

Park your vehicle at Roaring Brook Campground and proceed to Russell Pond Trail. Here you can choose to stay one night at Wassataquoik Stream or the Russell Pond shelters. Beware that this it is a moose infested area here.

The next day, proceed to the shelter at the north end of Wassataquoik Lake using the Wassataquoik Lake Trail. This shelter is new as of 2016. Spend a day or two of solitude in this area. Listen to the loons at night. I consider this to be one of the better hikes in Baxter State Park in the lower elevations.

You can also proceed to a higher elevation at the north end of the lake and look down the valley to the south. In one of the pictures uploaded, it shows the peninsula where the shelter is located. You'll find lots of water and animals along this route—namely moose! The Knife Edge is second to none.

Fern and blueberries are along most of the trails in August. Moose are the biggest animals on the trail. September is the best time to see moose here as they are here in large numbers.

Once this was a lumber/farming community in years past. You can still find old saws and other farm equipment here and there.