BillDC
New member
The trail starts from the Nesowadnehunk Campground in Baxter State Park reachable by the park tote road. Cross the Nesowadnehunk stream bridge past the ranger station and follow the road up to a left (signed) and walk by the wooded tent sites to the trailhead. The trail starts on relatively level ground and parallels Nesowadnehunk stream for a while. It was another sunny, hot and humid day, but the early woods walk was very nice. We scared up numerous partridge on the trail flying away just as you are on top of them (and scaring the crap out of you). After an easy woods walk and a very moderate climb, we reached a very old sign where just after, you descend to Doubletop Brook. Just as you start descending, if you look up, you can see the steep ominous cone that awaits you above! The brook crossing was fairly easy even though it was running pretty good. Just after the brook, a steep section reminded you that you were going to work a little on this hike.
After the steep section, you level out for quite a long time almost tricking you into thinking you are near the summit. After this area, you eventually start climbing again and this is the last push to the North peak. Near the top, a portion of the old fire tower ladder gets you over a large boulder and then you pop out onto the North Peak. At this spot, an old fire tower once stood here. Its remains laid just over the side for years until BSP airlifted it out. Views were excellent from here, though trees on the west side are growing up. You have great views to the east of Katahdin, The Brothers, OJI, Coe, and other area peaks.
After taking in views here for a few moments, we headed over to South peak, just .2 miles away. South peak didn't have any growth and it allowed 360 degree views. It's a great spot to have lunch, take in the views and admire the remoteness of this spot. Surprisingly, there were at least 10 hiking parties that we ran into throughout the day and we all agreed that Doubletop is a gem.
We headed back across to the North Peak and paused to read the plaque describing a Keppele Hall, whose ashes were given to the wind at sunset by his wife on August 20th, 1926. I'd love to know the history of this. It must have been pretty dramatic. On the way down at North Peak, we hunted around for the old fire warden's trail, which came in from the North West from the col between Mount Veto and Doubletop. At this col location, the fire warden's cabin sat. Seeing how the trail was abandoned in the late 20's, there wasn't much hope in finding much. Just when we thought we were nuts for even looking, we located a portion of the original watchman's phone line tied up in some old growth just below the North peak. There would be no hope to follow it anywhere beyond here, so we headed down and concluded a great hike of a Baxter gem.
Photos -
https://picasaweb.google.com/BillDC3/DoubletopMountainME8142012?authuser=0&feat=directlink
Bill
After the steep section, you level out for quite a long time almost tricking you into thinking you are near the summit. After this area, you eventually start climbing again and this is the last push to the North peak. Near the top, a portion of the old fire tower ladder gets you over a large boulder and then you pop out onto the North Peak. At this spot, an old fire tower once stood here. Its remains laid just over the side for years until BSP airlifted it out. Views were excellent from here, though trees on the west side are growing up. You have great views to the east of Katahdin, The Brothers, OJI, Coe, and other area peaks.
After taking in views here for a few moments, we headed over to South peak, just .2 miles away. South peak didn't have any growth and it allowed 360 degree views. It's a great spot to have lunch, take in the views and admire the remoteness of this spot. Surprisingly, there were at least 10 hiking parties that we ran into throughout the day and we all agreed that Doubletop is a gem.
We headed back across to the North Peak and paused to read the plaque describing a Keppele Hall, whose ashes were given to the wind at sunset by his wife on August 20th, 1926. I'd love to know the history of this. It must have been pretty dramatic. On the way down at North Peak, we hunted around for the old fire warden's trail, which came in from the North West from the col between Mount Veto and Doubletop. At this col location, the fire warden's cabin sat. Seeing how the trail was abandoned in the late 20's, there wasn't much hope in finding much. Just when we thought we were nuts for even looking, we located a portion of the original watchman's phone line tied up in some old growth just below the North peak. There would be no hope to follow it anywhere beyond here, so we headed down and concluded a great hike of a Baxter gem.
Photos -
https://picasaweb.google.com/BillDC3/DoubletopMountainME8142012?authuser=0&feat=directlink
Bill
