Views From the Ponds: Daicey Pond and Grassy Pond

The state of Maine encompasses more than 6,000 bodies of water, some in rural flat lands, and others high atop mountains. These lakes and ponds play an important part in Maine's ecosystem. No where else is this fact better shown than in Baxter State Park. There are many ponds within the southern expanses of the park, two of them being Grassy Pond and Daicey Pond.

Dissipating clouds around Doubletop Mountain from Daicey Pond.

Both ponds are crossed by the Appalachian Trail, meaning this is one of the last sections of trail thru-hikers see when going north, as Katahdin sits just north of the Tote Road. We started from Katahdin Stream Campground, as the trail brought us over a pleasant brook and through some beautiful forests.

Looking down the Appalachian Trail.

Crossing Katahdin Stream.

Eventually the Appalachian Trail began to approach Grassy Pond. There were a few side trails leading down to a sandy bank along Katahdin Stream. From here there was a view of Moose Bosom Mountain and Doubletop Mountain. The Tablelands of Katahdin could even be seen poking out from behind the trees.

Moose Bosom and Doubletop Mountains

Looking up to Katahdin.

The trail wrapped around Grassy Pond until we came across a small open portion of the trail. There was a great view looking across the water out to Mt.OJI, a mountain named due to the three slides that can be seen along it's southern slopes, each one looking like the letters O-J-I. The letters have faded since, but it's still visible to an extent.

The view from Grassy Pond.

Mt.OJI with it's three iconic slides.
The peaks in the background to the right are Mt.Coe and South Brother.

The trail crossed a brook, then came to a junction, where we left the Appalachian Trail in order to follow the southern shore of Daicey Pond. I was surprised to see that this trail was overgrown, due to the fact that it offers great views across Daicey Pond over to Mt.OJI and Mt.Coe. There is an exceptional view of Doubletop Mountain from here.

Katahdin and The Owl from Daicey Pond.

Doubletop Mountain

After arriving at Daicey Pond Campground, we took the Appalachian Trail along the northern side of the pond where there were views over to Sentinel Mountain, one of the most southern peaks in the park, and one of the shortest. After enjoying the views on the way, we soon found our way back to Katahdin Stream Campground.

Doubletop Mountain from Daicey Pond Campground.

Appalachian Trail crossing.

Looking across Daicey Pond to the campground.
Sentinel Mountain is seen above the trees.

There are few hikes I write about that don't include mountains, and rarely do I make an exception. I'd like to change this, so if you would like more write ups like this, please comment below. A hike is a hike, whether there's elevation gain or not. As long as you get to enjoy nature, that's all that matters.