Appalachian Trail to be rerouted on Quimby land

Ever since natural cosmetics millionaire Roxanne Quimby started buying up land in rural Maine, local people have wondered about her intentions for the forestland’s future.

Now, at least one answer has been provided: Quimby has agreed to reroute a portion of the International Appalachian Trail through her properties in T5 R8 and T3 R7, along the eastern border of Baxter State Park.

The 1,300-mile trek that begins at the Appalachian Trail’s terminus in Baxter and extends through New Brunswick, Quebec, Newfoundland and Labrador to the edge of the continent, loops down to Millinocket then follows Route 11 north – not the most appealing of hikes, IAT founder Dick Anderson of Freeport said this week. While hikers can travel through the park as an alternative route, it is not encouraged, because of the high demand for Baxter facilities, particularly during the summer, when most IAT through-hikers make their journeys.

Instead, Anderson hopes to shift the official trail north and east onto Quimby’s land, following the East Branch of the Penobscot River – offering hikers access to the wild and seeking “a less dusty path to the border.” About 100 miles of the trail run through Maine, before the IAT crosses into Canada near Fort Fairfield.

“You can hear the various waterfalls as you walk along the trail,” said Anderson, who visualized the trail 10 years ago and is now known as its “chief promoter and ambassador.”

Last weekend, Quimby’s science director, Bart DeWolf spoke at the IAT’s annual meeting in Shin Pond, giving hikers a taste of the ecology along the likely trail route.

Deasey Mountain in T3 R7, a 2,000-foot summit with a view of Mount Katahdin, would likely be included, as would the waterfalls and rapids that characterize the stretch of the East Branch of the Penobscot that runs through T5 R8, he said Wednesday.

Rare plant communities and perhaps even some small patches of old-growth forest are believed to exist in the township. Atlantic salmon swim in the river, deer spend the winter in sheltered “yards” of mature trees, and bald eagles fly overhead, DeWolf said.

A number of existing campsites operated by Maine Forest Service along the state-protected riverbank in T5 R8 would also be available to IAT hikers.

When Anderson contacted Quimby and her employees to pitch the idea, they decided that a trail fit well with their concept of “quiet recreation,” DeWolf said. “It’s a beautiful place for the trail.”

Nothing is final, however, because several other landowners hold property between the two Quimby parcels. Anderson is negotiating for trail access, and talking to state officials about their possible involvement.

“We’re talking to everybody. It’s going to be a little while,” Anderson said. “It took 75 years to build the Appalachian Trail – we’re doing pretty good.”

For more information about the IAT, visit www.internationalat.org.