Baxter State Park is a large wilderness in the upper central part of Maine. It contains Mount Katahdin, the largest point in Maine. Its summit is just a couple of yards shy of one mile in elevation.

Because Baxter State Park is so far north, it is May before its snows are melted. Since the park only has dirt roads, they are mud until about the time the summer vacation begins around Memorial Day. It closes when the heavy fall rains return in October. Thus, the park is closed for seven or eight months each year.

The park has no facilities or conveniences whatsoever beyond some dirt roads and a few signs. It is up to the visitors to bring what they need. Only a couple of small towns are around the perimeter of the park to provide services to the park.

For years Larry has looked forward to visiting this park. Sadly, the park was still closed when he vistied the area on 05-11-2008. Lesson learned about the harshness of winters in upper Maine.