Lower Ponds, Baxter State Park

Close to the south entrance, at Togue Pond Gatehouse, there is a network of mostly flat trails around a series of small ponds. The trails also include a stretch (a very wet stretch in the fall of 2022 thanks to beavers!) along Abol Stream.

The trails that connect Rum, Cranberry, Rocky, Cavelry, Abol, and Kettle Ponds offer a good ramble if the weather conditions aren’t great for mountain hiking or if you want a pretty walk in nature that’s on the easier side. When I spoke to the ranger about walking this trail network on a June weekend, he said I was likely to have it all to myself, and he was right.

Abol Pond, Abol Stream Trails: The trails around Abol Stream may be wet, and one of the stream crossing was very difficult in the fall of 2022 following some heavy rains. Best to check with the rangers about trail conditions before doing this 3.2-mile loop. The paths are mostly wide, easy, and flat, though.

Kettle Pond Trail — I enjoyed the start of this 1.4-mile trail, the 0.3-mile stretch that follows the shore of Abol Pond (although there is a biggish hill at the start). When I walked the trail in June, it was sprinkled with pink and white lady slipper orchids. For the remaining mileage, the trail stays high above the ponds and access to them is not easy.

Rum Pond Trail — If you explore this path, don’t miss the spur to Caverly Pond at the western end of the 2-mile Rum Pond Trail, where you can see Katahdin looming over the peaceful pond. The rest of the path passes through a mossy spruce and fir forest and mixed forest. There is a small side path to the hard-to-access Rum Pond. If you start from the eastern side, Roaring Brook Road, the pond is an easy 0.4-mile walk along a flat, wide track. It starts out wet near the road and then dries out.

Cranberry Pond Trail — The 1.5-mile wooded trail includes access to Cranberry Pond, which feels remote and quiet despite being close to Tote Road, and to Rocky Pond. In June it was peppered with bunchberry flowers and lady slipper orchids.

Directions: There are several places to access the trails from the Tote Road. The first one you encounter is 0.1-mile before the Togue Pond Gatehouse, on the right. Across the street you can pick up Cranberry Pond Trail. If you take a right after the gatehouse onto Roaring Brook Road, you’ll come to the Rum Brook Picnic area, the parking area for Rum Pond Trail. The trailhead is 0.2 miles back along the road. Additionally, there is side parking along the Tote Road 1.2 miles from the gatehouse on the right for Rum Pond Trail, Kettle Pond Trail, and Cranberry Pond Trail. You can also leave a car at Abol Beach. Outside the park, you can leave a car at Abol Bridge Campground, accessible via the Golden Road.