Northwest Basin Trail
This trail is long and hard, with steep descents, and several stream crosses.
Plan Around Northwest Basin Trail
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Use this detail page to confirm that the stop is worth it, then carry that decision into a trip draft while the park context is still fresh.
Northwest Basin Trail Details
This trail is long and hard, with steep descents, and several stream crosses. However it provides an opportunity to see a part of the Park which is rarely seen by most people. It is recommended to be combined with a overnight at the Davis Pond lean-to. This trail begins near Saddle Springs, ascends to north along the western side of Hamlin Peak and junctions with Caribou Spring and the Hamlin Peak Trail. From here you follow the cairns on the northern Tableland to a summit on the North Western Plateau. You begin to descend quickly into the Northwest Basin. After 0.5 mile a large cairn on the Monument Line will be seen - this area has commanding views of the entire basin. From here you descend into Davis Pond, passing by the Davis Pond lean-to. Be sure to take a moment and head down the spur trail to Davis Pond where you can listen to the waterfall echoing around the basin. After Davis Pond, the trail is level for 0.5 mile as you pass by Lake Crowles. After passing the northern end of the lake, the trail quickly descends into Northwest Basin Valley. After several stream crossings, the trail speeds up as it heads towards Russell Pond Campground. A final stream crossing at the Turner Deadwater is required before entering the campground.
Difficulty
High
Distance
8.3 miles
Estimated time
9 hours
Region
N/A
Nearby Parks Around Northwest Basin Trail
Compare nearby parks around Northwest Basin Trail when deciding whether to expand the route after this stop.
Nearby Points of Interest Around Northwest Basin Trail
Use nearby POIs to quickly expand your options beyond Northwest Basin Trail while the map context is still fresh.
0.5 mi away
Baxter Peak Cutoff
A safe shortcut in rough weather while traveling between Chimney Pond and Western slopes.
0.6 mi away
Cathedral Cut-off
This short cut-off is a connector trail that by-passes Baxter Peak.
0.7 mi away
Hamlin Peak
Located on Katahdin and has an elevation of 4,756 feet. It is recognized as a New England 4,000 footer.
0.9 mi away
Baxter Peak
Baxter Peak is the highest peak of Katahdin and the highest point in Maine.
0.9 mi away
Katahdin
Katahdin was believed to be the home of the storm god Pamola, and thus an area to be avoided.
