Twin Ponds lies at about 1800ft elevation on the east side of the Turner Mountains in Baxter State Park, Maine. I've always been fascinated with the Katahdin area. My father used to take yearly hunting trips to Katahdin Lake when I was growing up. We took a vacation to the camp on the south shore of Katahdin Lake when I was 12 or 13. Over the past few years whenever planning a trip to Maine for some fishing or photography, those ponds just 'spoke' to me. Whether it was because they are little visited, or how it looked nestled into the mountains on the topo map, something just told me "you have to go check those ponds out".
This past summer I finally my chance. Gary called in July 2005 to say "let's go do some hiking". I asked if he wanted "trails" or "no trails". He thought "no trails" sounded like fun (although while in the woods I think I heard him mumbling something about never going hiking with me again...lol).
I had two different approaches in mind. I knew some of the logging roads in the area but the brand new 2005 Maine Atlas and Gazetteer showed a totally new road system all around Katahdin Lake. We decided to take the logging roads from Stacyville which I had been on 6 or 7 years ago. Big mistake. Lots of things change in the woods from year to year and 7 years is 'forever' in the woods. We had come across the Golden Road from Moosehead Lake and cut north into the logging roads between Baxter and Millinocket. We worked our way 20-30 miles to the Wassataquoik Stream. We turned north and followed the west side of the stream. This is the section of logging roads I had been on previously. Well... for 6 miles there was brush rubbing both sides of my truck. One bridge is just about rotted away completely to where you have to make sure your tires are on both I-beams to cross. Gary got out for that crossing and his advice was "Just punch it!!" Thanks Gary. The next bridge is gone but it's only about a 4ft drop. There was also a section about 100yds long that was under water. Have I mentioned there was crap brushing both sides of my truck for 6 miles???? I'm almost hesistant to mention this next part. Remember the new road system I said the 2005 Maine Atlas showed? Well...after 6 miles of wondering how the hell I was going to turn around and having Gary ask me what we'd do if we get stuck (my plan was to walk the 30 miles back to Millinocket, take a bus home, and report my truck stolen... unless I won the lotto and could pay one of those Skycrane helicopters to pluck me out), we came out of the thick brush onto the superhighway of all freaking logging roads. Seems they truely are actively logging the areas east and northeast of Katahdin Lake, or at least getting ready to. We continued north on this superhighway, crossing Katahdin Brook (new bridge) where it meets the Wassataquoik Stream. This road continues north but I don't know how far. It could be worth taking to Twin Ponds stream and following that west.
We turned left and went over the northern portion of Barnard Mountain. This road then runs into the road from Rocky Pond. We turned north and then west until we were basically on the slopes of East Turner Mt. We parked and headed into the woods at 1pm.
After just over a mile of fairly dense cover, along with several swampy areas and 2 or 3 somewhat dry streambeds, we reached a dry streambed which is the outlet of Twin Ponds. It must have heavy water flow sometimes. Maybe during the spring runoff? We followed the dry streambed for almost a mile amongst large boulders trying to avoid twisting an ankle. I did tell Gary I would go as fast as I could to get help if he needed it. He didn't like that plan and I swear I heard some more mumbling about "never........again....". We climbed out of the streambed about 1/10 mile from the first pond and climbed a steep hill through some pines (it looked easier than staying in the streambed...it wasn't...but it looked like it at the time).
We reached the ponds and found that they are surrounded on three sides by some pretty good sized hills (Eastern US standards). The water level was low. We cooked some chow, took some pictures and headed back down at 5pm. Yes...it took us 3 hours to go 2 miles. I looked at the GPS and figured we kept pretty much to a straight line on the way in...but could probably shave a 1/10 mile on the way out. We descended into the streambed over some huge boulders and worked our way east. I did see the Baxter State Park Boundary on the way in...never saw it on the way out. Who do they get to paint these blaze marks far from any trails? As soon as East Turner Mt on our right leveled off a bit, we left the streambed and headed southward. After another mile or so of busting thru the thick growth, we reached the logging road. I'd say we came out within 20 yds of where we went in. GPS rules!! (yes I had topo maps and a compass (2 of them) just in case). It had been getting dark in the woods for the last 15 minutes but we got out before needing to break out the headlamps (or before Gary got to run into a bear as he was 'hoping to'). Time to hike out: 2.5 hours.
We did not see any wildlife. I did see some bear tracks and a ton of Moose sign. If you like just being in the woods this is a great area. If you like running water, electricity, and indoor plumbing you will hate this area. I will someday return and probably head up North Turner from here (or at least attempt it).