Russell Pond Trail

Russell Pond Trail is a backcountry hiking route in Baxter State Park that links Roaring Brook Campground with Russell Pond Campground as a primarily valley corridor with few low ridges to cross.

The Russell Pond Trail is about 7.1 miles one-way and serves as the main connector to Russell Pond from the closest road access at Roaring Brook Campground.

From Roaring Brook Campground, the trail heads north and reaches the Sandy Stream Pond Trail junction after about a mile; it then continues past Whidden Pond on the way into the broader valley between North and South Turner Mountains (to the east) and Russell Mountain and the main Katahdin mass (to the west).

Late on the approach, the trail crosses the South Branch of Wassataquoik Stream and includes a ford of the Wassataquoik Stream; the ford is typically knee-high but can become dangerous when water is high.

The trail continues over Turner Brook and then arrives at Russell Pond.

Because the route uses stream fords, plan around water conditions: high water and spring run-off can make fording unsafe, especially when carrying a pack.

In winter, Russell Pond access via this route is also used for cold-season travel; one common winter mileage is about 7.2 miles from Roaring Brook Campground to Russell Pond, with connections to other backcountry routes.

More information: What's New This Year - Baxter State Park, 1-minute hike: South Turner Mountain in Baxter State Park, Winter Climbing in Baxter State Park