Baxter S.P. - driving from Roaring Brook to South Branch Pond

[Papa Bear]

A question:

Next week we will be driving from Roaring Brook C.G (after doing the K) to South Branch Pond C.G. (to do the T).

What's the best route (driving) from Roaring Brook to South Branch Pond?

I've heard it said it's better to leave the Park, drive down through Millinocket, up the Interstate and reenter the park via the Metagamon Gate. This is extremely unintuitive. Comments? Real life experience?

I'm not interested in driving 40 extra miles to save 30 minutes, but to save 2 hours? Maybe.

Thanks

 

[deanmacg]

Don`t know, but I`d drive through the park - it`s too beautiful not to.

 

[poison ivy]

I've driven both ways.... going around the park is definitely quicker. I think it saved us about a half hour by heading out and driving to Patten. Going along the Tote Road, it took about two hours to get from South Branch to the southern gate.

For what it's worth, my preference is for the drive through the park, even though it takes a little longer. I'd rather look at all the woods and trees and have the possibility of seeing wildlife... (last time we drove through we saw a hawk with a snake in its clutches flying along the road.)

 

[sapblatt]

Related question -
How long is the drive from Roaring Brook to Neshodehunk Camping area?

 

[LittleBear]

Related question -
How long is the drive from Roaring Brook to Neshodehunk Camping area?

I don't know how long it takes, but I can tell you that it takes 45 minutes to drive from the Park Gate to the Slide Dam picnic area where the Marston trail begins, which is approximately 14.5 miles. So I would estimate 1/2 hour for the 8 miles from Roaring Brook to the Gate, and Nesowadnehunk Filed is 16.8 miles from the Gate - so about 50 minutes for that section.

The Tote Road itself is 41.1 miles long - so it will take a good 2 hours, since the speed limit in Baxter is 20 mph. There are some sections where you can go 25 mph rather comfortably, but when we were there this past weekend, there were large sections that were quite the "washboard" and we had to slow down to 10 to 15 mph. Not to mention if you need to stop for moose!

Little Bear

 

[Dr. Dasypodidae]

Have done both many times, and if during daylight hours I say definitely take the tote road within BSP for all of the reasons mentioned here, even if it is a slower route. There are simply few places remaining in the Northeast where one can drive through such a long tunnel of trees with excellent wildlife viewing prospects.

 

[MichaelJ]

Don't forget to top off your gas on the way in! That long, slow drive on the Tote will give you reduced mpg, especially if you pack your car for camping like we do.

 

[TJ aka Teej]

What's the best route (driving) from Roaring Brook to South Branch Pond?

Take the tote road around. Stop at Stump Pond or walk the AT into Tracy and Elbow Ponds for a quick moose check. Drive down the Daicey Pond CG road (watch for moose at the swamp) and check out the classic view of Katahdin from the library - and take a dip off the dock or rent a canoe. Head down toward Kidney Pond and take in a grand view of Doubletop from the bridge. The Cross Range, the close up of the Doubletop Slides, the...
Oh, heck. If it's daylight just go see for your self!
Teej

 

[LittleBear]

Don't forget to top off your gas on the way in! That long, slow drive on the Tote will give you reduced mpg, especially if you pack your car for camping like we do.

Yeah - We got 36 - 37 mpg on the way to Baxter on I-95, then only 26 mpg once we were within the Park!

 

[Bob]

If you go out of the park, via the highway you can stop at La Casa !

 

[Mad Townie]

I think the question depends on how good your vehicle's suspension is (and how long you want to keep it good!). The Perimeter Road is very washboard-y, and it's not maintained to smooth it out. As a result, the 20 mph speed limit is just about as fast as you'd want to go anyway.

But I'd take the Perimeter Road.

 

[BorealChickadee]

Always took the tote rode except for once. I agree that it will take you two hours, which may be a little longer but what you'll see is so,so worth it! Even at night you'll catch critters using the road in your headlights. I'd take that two hour drive any day! And during the day, there's killer views.

After a ten year absence I finally made it back to Baxter (in 1999) . Driving the tote road up to South Branch Pond when I came upon the first close up view of Kathdin I got so excited I jumped out and stood up on the car hood to take a picture. I loved Katahdin so much that I never minded looking at that dent. It just reminded me of a beautiful mountain and how happy I was to be back.

 

[SherpaKroto]

In my mind, no question: take the Tote Road. You avoid the gatehouse, Millinocket speed traps, the lure of La Casa (a "push" on that one ), a long drive on highway roads, and all of the other distractions that will slow your trek. You came to the Park to get away from it all, why hop back on a highway?

Per Google:
Tote Road: 45.0 miles, 2 hours 46 minutes (really... a leisurely 2 hours 15 minutes)
Via Patten: 65.7 miles, 2 hour 2 minutes

Only 3 reasons to head around: re-provisioning, avoid gate fees, and a stop at Matagamon Wilderness Camps to say hi to Joe and Sue

... but then again, you'll be driving that road back home anyway...

 

[torn&frayed]

Using the Tote Road will also help you to avoid the logging trucks on the approach to the North Gate.

 

[Rejean]

What's the best route (driving) from Roaring Brook to South Branch Pond?[/B]

You may hike the NW Basin tr from Hamelin to the traveler and back
couple of day after. Its a bit long but not impossible. Might try it some
day if Oncoman and Pin Pin join me....