Thru hiker permits
http://www.baxterstateparkauthority....unce_Final.pdf
Wow, here we go!
Originally Posted by Zed
Its concerning because the southbound thru total caps quite low. Granted it's a lot of hikers for southbound but how many will be grabbed and not utilized fully.
"Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined."
I don't understand why they are issuing permits for southbound period. I was under the impression southbounders must reserve campsites and cannot use the Birches. Maybe I'm wrong.
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I am SoBo this year. When I spoke with the ranger they said I do need to make a reservation.
Yes, to camp you need a reservation.
Teej
"[ATers] represent three percent of our use and about twenty percent of our effort," retired Baxter Park Director Jensen Bissell.
Anyone know or could provide a link for the process for day use visitors that don't need a parking spot?
"If all available cards have been issued, AT hikers may still complete their hike byentering the Park through the Togue Pond Gate following the same process as other dayuse or camping visitors."
AT Flip Flop (HF to ME, HF to GA) Thru Hike 2023; LT End-to-Ender 2017; NH 48/48 2015-2021; 21 of 159usForests.com
"If all available cards have been issued, AT hikers may still complete their hike by entering the Park through the Togue Pond Gate following the same process as other dayuse or camping visitors."
Anyone know or could provide a link for the process for day use visitors? What's the limit for day use visitors? Does it matter if you don't need a parking space? Could one camp outside the park and just day hike Baxter and avoid this issue? I know everyone says just follow the rules but I've read 5 pages on whiteblaze and searched Baxter's website for information and it's not obvious to me. I'm all for following the rules but "they" sure make it difficult sometimes to figure out. Thanks in advance!
AT Flip Flop (HF to ME, HF to GA) Thru Hike 2023; LT End-to-Ender 2017; NH 48/48 2015-2021; 21 of 159usForests.com
Anyone hiking Katahdin is supposed to have a day use permit (even if you don't have a car). You must exit the park the same date of the permit. To day hike in to the park, and back out...is not something most people choose to do. Katahdin is not just a quick scamper for most people.
Here is the link to the Baxter State Park Reservations page: http://www.baxterstateparkauthority.com/reservation/
For more information on the AT within Baxter, please look under the "Hiking" header, then "Hiking Info" sub-header.
This is news to me. What does the permit look like?
Teej
"[ATers] represent three percent of our use and about twenty percent of our effort," retired Baxter Park Director Jensen Bissell.
It's just the yellow piece of paper. I was told to be sure to carry it with me while hiking. I didn't question it as it makes sense that BSP would want to know who was who and where they were coming from. I should think it would also help them to narrow down the people causing issues within the park.
Last season was the first season I was told I needed this...and it was verified by 2 different rangers.
Perhaps the person who told me was seasonal and did not know...and then they asked two others who didn't know? *shrug* I asked ahead and am more than happy to support the park. It was $5.00 and a small price to pay to wander in for a day of hiking. I also used their privy, so I was happy to financially pay my share for the use.
I have not yet been to BSP and am slightly confused. Can someone clarify, if a person secures a normal BSP campground reservation are they able to hike the A.T. Section in the park?
Are people able to enter or exit via the A.T. if they have otherwise normal reservations? Or do they have to both enter and exit the park via the main entrance?
Last edited by Sarcasm the elf; 02-01-2017 at 23:21.
Colorless green ideas sleep furiously.
If you're a thru, section, or flipper, you need a permit.
http://baxterstateparkauthority.com/...unce_Final.pdf
Teej
"[ATers] represent three percent of our use and about twenty percent of our effort," retired Baxter Park Director Jensen Bissell.
What I'm asking is I don't quite follow the wording in the pdf. Does the permit apply only to those who are entering the park without normal reservations under the A.T. Long distance hiker rules, or are they now requiring that people who already have normal park reservations double up and also obtain the permit if they plan to hike the A.T. Within the park?
Colorless green ideas sleep furiously.
Sobos are in the Park with reservations (for the majority) - they need permits, as to all LD ATers.
No one said you have to double up - not part of this at all (although good practice).
When the permits run out, the Birches is closed, and LD ATers will have follow the same rules as all other visitors.
Remember, this is 400 more permits for '17 than there were ATers in '16.
Teej
"[ATers] represent three percent of our use and about twenty percent of our effort," retired Baxter Park Director Jensen Bissell.
Don't get me wrong, none of this seems particularly concerning (or surprising) to me, I've been expecting them to bring the A.T. rules in line with the rest of their mamagement system. I was just a bit uncertain of my interpretation of the press release.
Colorless green ideas sleep furiously.
OK, so say I arrive late in the season, and find all the permits have been issued and The Birches is closed. To complete my hike, I would have to make a reservation for a campsite, and pay the fee, correct? Would I be able to do this in person in the park, assuming sites are available?
"If all available cards have been issued, AT hikers may still complete their hike by entering the Park through the Togue Pond Gate following the same process as other dayuse or camping visitors."
This part interests me. I do not yet know enough to comment on it.
Teej
"[ATers] represent three percent of our use and about twenty percent of our effort," retired Baxter Park Director Jensen Bissell.
#9 of the document says
So you have to go through the gate, follow some of the additional park rules about backcountry camping and/or parking and/or dayhiking. Depends on how you plan the rest of it out.If all available cards have been issued, AT hikers may still complete their hike by entering the Park through the Togue Pond Gate following the same process as other day use or camping visitors.
"Sleepy alligator in the noonday sun
Sleepin by the river just like he usually done
Call for his whisky
He can call for his tea
Call all he wanta but he can't call me..."
Robert Hunter & Ron McKernan
Whiteblaze.net User Agreement.
The available num
ber of AT-Hiker Permit Cards for 2017 will be as follows:
Northbound
: 1,350
Southbound
: 610
Section:
840
Flip-Flop:
350
Total:
3,150
Teej
"[ATers] represent three percent of our use and about twenty percent of our effort," retired Baxter Park Director Jensen Bissell.
I'm not sure the impacts of this, how concerned should NOBO/SOBO hikers be about this rule?
How long is the section through Baxter Park?
Is Park Headquarters or Katahdin Stream Campground right on the trail?
If you get there and they've met the quota you shuttle passed it?
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