River Pond Nature Trail is the outside loop of a trail system, all with logging names, dotted with interpretive displays, off the Golden Road in Millinocket between its namesake River Pond and the West Branch of the Penobscot River, not far at all from Baxter State Park’s Togue Pond gate. I took this trail loop, owned by Katahdin Forest Management, in mid-September as the last Sunday hike on the way out of the park on a weekend trip.
Looking at reviews, it was uniformly described as buggy, but I didn’t have any problems with flies or mosquitoes in the cooler temperatures of early fall. The narrow Tenderfoot Trail through the forest started at a small kiosk by the large parking area, where there were two other vehicles. I moved counterclockwise, and at about .4 miles, just shy of a large boulder, I got my first view of Katahdin through a side trail that led down to River Pond.
As I continued, two people coming towards me told me there were moose in the second clearing. I saw many clearings, no moose, but it’s always exciting to know they are out there. I reached Moose Point and the Timber Cruisers Trail and enjoyed the views across the pond of Katahdin, still nestled in clouds. The south side of the trail is more forested, with an occasional view of the West Branch of the Penobscot River below in the distance.
I did not take the River Driver’s Trail, which was a detour of a spur trail that would likely have culminated in better views, as I did not have the energy. Nevertheless, the rolling hills and springy pine-needle paths of the Forester’s Trail were a pleasant change from the rocky terrain of Baxter State Park. All told, the loop was about 4 miles, taking about an hour and 24 minutes.
Hiking in Maine 