Parking at Abol Bridge for a week?

[Tramper Al]

Hi,

I know this is a really mundane question, sorry.

I'd like to leave my car at Abol Bridge while I hike the 100 Mile northbound. I will then use it while in the park and for the long drive home.

Now, I have parked there twice for winter trips into BSP, once on the left (SW) side of the Golden Road in a big lot (where the AT leaves the Golden Road), and once a couple hundred feet further up the AT just as the trail turns sharply left to enter the park. These are free and fine in winter. Is there a (daily?) fee for driving up the Golden Road in summer?

It is my understanding that there is some parking available on the gated road that runs between the turn-off (right) to the Togue Pond entrance to BSP and Abol Bridge (a big snowmobile route). This would be just on the east side of that gate shown on the MATC map, again right near the sharp left turn of the AT.

Finally, I imagine some arrangement might be made to park (for what fee?) at one of the two private campgrounds: Abol Pines CS or Abol Bridge Family CG. Has anyone parked there? Again, any fee to use the Golden Road would apply.

None of these 5 places is within BSP, on my map.

Thanks in advance, and sorry again for such a dull question.

[mhussey]

There are no fees to drive on the Golden Road and you should not have a problem parking your vehicle at the parking lot on the left hand side (after heading west across the bridge) that you mentioned about. I parked there last summer while doing 55 of the 100 miles of wilderness but the car was only there for 2 days. I often see other vehicles parked there and assume they are hiking the AT. If it is full for some reason, you could always head south past Abol store and immediately after vear left onto the dirt road (this heads towards the park entrance and is used as a snowmobile trail in the winter time). I would think anyplace in there off the road would be a good place too. Out of sight, and few travel that road.

[Tramper Al]

Well, that sounds very straightforward, thanks. I will look to the main AT primarily, and the other two lots I have used before is that is full. I was sure I had read that a fee was needed to drive Golden Road, and I just thought I had done so for free because it was winter.

[ferryman]

I recently returned from an annual winter hiking adventure to Daisey Pond for three evenings on March 5,6,7. Upon returning to our parked cars, we found our vehicles tires slashed and numerous other vehicles also damaged in the same parking lot. After talking to the Baxter State Park Ranger, he mentioned that vandalism to cars usually does not get reported by visitors to Baxter State Park. The Ranger was surprised by all the people who had been having problems with vandalism at or near BSP. Some friends that have sporting camps on Nahmakanta Lake had their vehicle shot up pretty badly, also near Abol Bridge. Protect yourself and vehicle by parking at a sanctioned and watched parking lot. Nothing worse than having to call a tow truck when you have finally emerged from a glorious hiking trip in the woods. Steve Longley

[Tramper Al]

Protect yourself and vehicle by parking at a sanctioned and watched parking lot.
Hi Steve,

My group occupied those same Daicey Pond cabins March 11-13, and we did hear of the vandalism in that lot as well as elsewhere during that time frame. Sorry your vehicles were involved.

I'd like to take your advice, but I'm not sure which of the lots around Abol Bridge you are considering 'sanctioned and watched'? It was not really knowing the options that prompted my original question.

Thanks!

[mhussey]

I would suggest the lot on the south side of the Golden road, just east of the AT crossing. Many people travel by this lot during the summer days, including wardens and state employees. The Abol store is nearby but they close down in early evening. Not sure any vehicle would be out of harms way up there if the inconsiderate *****ing fools causing damage are not caught.

When do you plan on hiking it? I have to finish the first 45 miles and often camp at Horserace brook once a month or so. If I were to be in the area, Id help you out if possible. You could keep your vehicle at my campsite and Id shuttle it down to the trail when needed.

[Papa Bear]

Al

Last year I parked for about 12 days in the area on the right (the BSP side), just before (south of) the store (which is before the bridge as you come from Millinocket). There is more foot traffic there and it might be a little safer. I went into the store, asked where to park and the clerk said just down there past the trash cans. On the far side of the bridge where you are talking about there is little traffic except the AT hikers and your occasional Sunday stroller. So look around when you get there and decide what looks best. There was no parking fee and no Golden Road fee.

You probably are planning this already, but I kept the last 2 days worth of food in the car trunk and picked it up as I went by into BSP.

Also FYI: if you want to camp there, you have a choice of the commercial site down on the river (which may be very full Labor day weekend) or the state campground on the other side of the road about 100 yards past (south) the store as you are hiking. There was no fee and no attendant at the state campground when we went by.

Pb

[Tramper Al]

Hey, thanks guys.

I guess there is some small possibility that I might want to camp right at Abol Bridge, though I should have both a car and a Baxter reservation when I walk out of the 100 Mile. If I did arrive there at dusk, I would probably drive into the park to my campsite, then slack back for the Abol Bridge to Katahdin Stream section the following day.

[TJ aka Teej]

Northbound into Baxter: You can stay at the Birches! Make it a loop back out to Abol by using the new 4 something mile blue blaze. No fee for the Golden road anymore, the gatehouses have been closed for years. No long term parking inside BSP at all.
Baxter Reservations: Remember the nifty new 10 days before/ over the phone/ with a credit card/ deal.
Parking at Abol: You can long term park to the right of Linda's Store (she runs the campground), for free, but out of courtesy be sure to tell someone inside the store that you're doing so. The Abol Pines CS is a primitive State run site on the far bank of the river on your right as you cross the Abol Bridge northbound. Parking there is for campers only, with limited parking spots. There's an 'Iron Ranger' to drop the $6/night fee into, all campsites are walk-ins. You can also park at the large lot just beyond the little road down to Abol Pines, many hikers do, and the Ridge Runner parks his camper there. No trailhead parking option is ever completely safe, but I feel safer parking at Abol than I do in Portland.
Have fun, Tramper Al!