South Branch Mountain

The Quiet Side of Baxter State Park

While most Baxter State Park visitors focus on Katahdin and the southern mountains, the park’s northern end holds some of its most rewarding and least-visited terrain. South Branch Mountain sits in the heart of the Traveler Range in northern Baxter, offering a 3.4-mile round trip hike to a 2,599-foot summit that provides sweeping views of one of the most remote mountain landscapes in the eastern United States. On a summer Saturday when Katahdin has 200 hikers on its slopes, you might see two or three people on South Branch Mountain.

The Traveler Range is a geologically distinct group of peaks in the northern third of Baxter State Park, formed from ancient rhyolite lava flows rather than the granite that makes up Katahdin. The rock is lighter in color and breaks into sharp, angular fragments that give the peaks a rugged, almost alpine character. South Branch Mountain is the most accessible summit in this range, with a well-maintained trail that gains about 1,400 feet in 1.7 miles.

The views from the summit encompass the full sweep of the Traveler Range: North Traveler, The Traveler, Center Ridge, and Peak of the Ridges spread across the skyline in a dramatic horseshoe. Below the peaks, the South Branch ponds and the vast spruce-fir forest of northern Baxter stretch to the horizon. On clear days, Mount Katahdin is visible to the south, its massive profile unmistakable even at 20 miles distance.

The Trail

The trailhead for South Branch Mountain is located in the South Branch Pond area at the northern end of Baxter State Park, accessible via the park’s Perimeter Road from either the Togue Pond gate (south entrance) or the Matagamon gate (north entrance). The Matagamon gate is considerably closer, about 8 miles of gravel road to the trailhead.

The South Branch Mountain Trail departs from near the South Branch Pond Campground and immediately enters a dense spruce-fir forest. The first half-mile is relatively gentle, following the contours of the lower slope through a mix of spruce, fir, and birch. The forest floor is thick with moss, bunchberry, and clintonia, and the air smells of balsam fir.

After about half a mile, the trail begins to climb in earnest. The grade steepens and the footing becomes rougher, with exposed roots and angular rock fragments underfoot. The trail follows a series of switchbacks through the forest, gaining elevation steadily. At about 1.2 miles, the trees begin to thin and the first views appear through gaps in the canopy.

The upper trail breaks out of the dense forest and crosses a zone of scrubby spruce and blueberry before reaching the exposed summit ridge. The final push to the summit involves a short scramble over angular rhyolite blocks. The rock is rough and provides good grip, though some of the blocks are loose and require testing before committing your weight.

The summit itself is a rocky dome with views in nearly every direction. A small cairn marks the high point. There is no trail sign or register at the top, just the rock, the wind, and the view.

What You’ll See

The summit panorama is dominated by the Traveler Range. North Traveler Mountain (3,152 feet) rises directly to the northeast, its sharp ridgeline cutting the sky. The Traveler (3,541 feet) and Peak of the Ridges extend the range to the east. The peaks are bare and angular above treeline, with light-colored rhyolite rock that contrasts sharply with the dark green spruce forest below.

To the south, Upper and Lower South Branch Ponds lie in the valley between South Branch Mountain and the Traveler Range. These remote ponds are renowned for their crystal-clear water and brook trout fishing. The outlet stream connecting the ponds glints through the forest below. Further south, the mountains of central Baxter rise in succession, culminating in Katahdin’s massive profile on the horizon.

To the west and north, the view is vast, unbroken forest. This is the Maine North Woods at its most expansive: millions of acres of spruce, fir, and birch stretching to the Canadian border without a road, building, or clearing in sight. It is one of the largest undeveloped forest landscapes remaining in the eastern United States.

Wildlife in this part of Baxter is abundant. Moose are common around the South Branch Ponds and are frequently seen feeding in the shallows at dawn and dusk. Black bears inhabit the surrounding forest. Loons call from the ponds. Spruce grouse, boreal chickadees, and gray jays are regular forest residents. In fall, the forest canopy around the ponds blazes with birch and maple color against the evergreen backdrop.

When to Go

Getting There

From the Matagamon Gate (recommended): From Patten, take Route 159 west for about 24 miles to the Matagamon Gate entrance of Baxter State Park. From the gate, drive approximately 8 miles on the park’s gravel Perimeter Road to the South Branch Pond Campground and trailhead. The road is unpaved and rough in spots but passable for standard vehicles.

From Portland: Take I-95 north to Sherman (exit 264). From Sherman, take Route 11 north to Patten, then Route 159 west to Matagamon Gate. Total drive is about 5 hours.

From Bangor: Take I-95 north to Sherman, then Route 11 to Patten and Route 159 to Matagamon Gate. About 2.5 hours.

The South Branch Pond parking area has limited space. Arrive before 8:00 AM on busy summer weekends to ensure entry.

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