BANGOR DAILY NEWS • March 20, 2024
Perhaps the best kept winter mountaineering secret in Baxter State Park is South Branch Pond. Whether there would be adequate snow to ski into the pond was a concern. History told us snowfall through the winter would result in hefty accumulations by early March. Not this year. The park received record low snow amounts and unusually heavy rainfall. Most of us hired Matagamon Campground just outside of the park to shuttle our gear by snowmobile on the park Perimeter Road as far as the beginning of South Branch Pond Road. After the snowmobile and trailer departed with our sleds and gear, we began the 11 mile journey to South Branch Pond Road. Our plan was to haul gear on sleds for the remaining 2.2 miles. Rangers advised against skiing or snowshoeing on the pond because it was heavily puddled and thin in places. That eliminated the possibility of a coveted ski south on the winter Pogy Trail. Mountaineering would be our focus. ~ Ron Chase