Hiking Guide Moosehead Lake Region Difficulty: EASY

Hiking Guide Continue .6 mile further, and cross the bridge at North Brook. Moosehead Lake Region Immediately after you cross the bridge, there is a well-traveled left turn, but you should stay right. You will soon come to a fork in the This region is blessed with some of the most spectacular hikes in the road. Take the left fork and at about 6.5 miles total you will see a Northeast. A wide range of terrain will please both the casual stroller sign on the right at the trailhead which reads B-52 – Baker Pond and the serious backpacker. The Trail. (If you have low ground clearance you should take the well- Appalachian Trail passes southeast of traveled left turn immediately after North Brook bridge. Go up a long Greenville and touches some of the hikes hill. At the fork, bear right. When the road comes to a T turn right. listed on the way to the grand finale A trailhead is on the left. atop Mt. Katahdin. These hikes can all be done as day trips. Whatever your LILY BAY STATE PARK ability, the majestic views and variety of A beautiful location, with a network choice will thrill those who love hiking. of nature trails and a beach/picnic A special thank you to the Lodge guests who have helped to refine the area that you can enjoy for a nominal directions for those who follow. day-use fee. Directions: From the Lodge proceed Difficulty: EASY north (left) on the Lily Bay road for approximately 5.4 miles. The park entrance will be on the left.

B-52 MEMORIAL SITE ON ELEPHANT MOUNTAIN MOXIE FALLS Distance: ½ mile round-trip Distance: 2 miles round-trip Time: 45 minutes This is a very easy one mile walk to one of This is a somber memorial to the crash of a B-52 bomber during Maine’s highest and prettiest waterfalls. training maneuvers in January of 1963. All but two crew members Directions: From the Lodge proceed right to perished, and those two spent a cold night in a blizzard on this remote the traffic light in downtown Greenville. Turn mountain before being discovered. The people of Greenville have right on Route 15 (Pritham Ave.) to Greenville preserved the site and the wreckage in honor of the men aboard this Junction. Go under the railroad trestle and flight. Each year in January, a group snowmobile ride is held to this over a bridge. Take your first left after the site, and a memorial service takes place. bridge on Depot Street. When you see a road Directions: From the Lodge drive north (left) on Lily Bay Road. At going off to the left (Greenville Industrial Park) 4.5 miles look for a dirt road on the right called the Prong Pond Road stay to the right. At the next fork bear right (on to the Brocha Road) (the sign may be gone, but it is the first right after you pass the signs toward the Greenville’s Town landfill. Stay on the Brocha Road for Beaver Cove Marina & Beaver Cove Camps). Take the right on to approx. 16 miles until it ends. Turn left on to Indian Pond Road. the dirt road and stay straight. After 4.7 miles there is a view of Go past Moxie Lake on your left. Take the first road on the right. Elephant Mountain before you and Baker Mountain in the north. P.O. Box 1167 ▪ 368 Lily Bay Road ▪ Greenville, Maine 04441 ▪ 207-695-4400 P.O. Box 1167 ▪ 368 Lily Bay Road ▪ Greenville, Maine 04441 ▪ 207-695-4400 www.lodgeatmooseheadlake.com ▪ [email protected] www.lodgeatmooseheadlake.com ▪ [email protected]

After approximately 2 – 2.5 miles turn right into a well-marked Directions: Turn left from the Lodge (north) about 17.4 miles on Lily parking area. Bay Road to Kokadjo. After Kokadjo, turn left where the pavement Alternative Directions: (utilizes main highways) Take Hwy 6/15 ends and continue for another 1.2 miles. Reset your odometer and South from Greenville to Abbot Village (Approx. 22 miles). Turn turn left again (there is a sign for Spencer Pond Camps). At 7.2 miles, right onto Hwy 16 and follow it until it connects to Hwy 201 where there is a sign for Spencer Pond Camps, stay straight on the (approx 25 miles) Turn right onto Hwy 201 and after approx. 22.5 main road. At 8.3 miles you will cross a bridge at Spencer Pond. miles turn right on Moxie Rd. Follow Moxie Rd. Approx. 2 miles to There will be a gorgeous view of Little Spencer Mountain on your a well-marked parking area. The falls are approx ¾ mile from the right. At 13.9 miles you’ll come to a fork, where you should go right. parking area. It is an easy walk. Follow to next crossing – intersection. Go left and follow road trail head on right; small clearing trail head sign visible. (2-2.5 miles from NATURAL RESOURCE EDUCATION CENTER OF MAINE TRAILS major intersection) Distance: ½ mile round-trip This well-marked network of trails has nameplates identifying plant LITTLE MOOSE MOUNTAIN (formerly called Little Squaw Mountain) species and other items of interest. It is a great choice for Distance: 1-8 miles round- walkers/hikers of all ages. The trail system was created with assistance trip, depending on route of the Maine Forest Services, Maine Department of Transportation, Time: 1-4 hours round-trip Nickerson Tree Farm and NREC trustees and volunteers. This is a beautiful hike Directions: From the Lodge drive south (right) on Route 15 for 4.8 with several picturesque miles. Park at the State Picnic Area on your left. mountain ponds. There are a total of 5 camping Difficulty: MODERATE areas on these trails, two at Big Moose Pond, one each LITTLE KINEO MOUNTAIN at Little Moose, Big Notch and Little Notch Ponds. The short trail Distance: 1.5 miles (1 mile round-trip) into Big Moose Pond is very manageable for young Time: 2 hours round-trip children. From that point the trail continues to the east over a dam This is a hike across the open summit of Little Kineo. The trail is for about .25 miles to the intersection of the Loop Trail and the well marked (blue blazed). There are several overlooks along the way Greenwood Trail. The left fork goes to Little Moose Pond (.25 mile) and spectacular views of Moosehead Lake, Kineo, Katahdin, Big and then to Papoose Pond (.5 mile) continuing up the ridge to the Moose, and the two Spencer Mountains. The trail passes through Greenwood Motel (4 miles from Big Moose Pond, so you may want dense forest before climbing upward to a ridge. The 360-degree views to arrange with Northwoods Outfitters for a shuttle to get back). The are some of the best in the state. Looking down over the landscape, right fork is the loop trail which climbs to the next trail intersection few signs of human habitation are visible, and it easy to imagine the (.5 miles). The left fork is a loop trail back to the Greenwood trail land as it must have been hundreds of years ago. between Little Moose and Papoose Pond (.75 miles), commanding a nice view of Big Moose Mountain. The right fork takes you to Big

P.O. Box 1167 ▪ 368 Lily Bay Road ▪ Greenville, Maine 04441 ▪ 207-695-4400 P.O. Box 1167 ▪ 368 Lily Bay Road ▪ Greenville, Maine 04441 ▪ 207-695-4400 www.lodgeatmooseheadlake.com ▪ [email protected] www.lodgeatmooseheadlake.com ▪ [email protected]

and Little Notch Ponds (1.5 miles). The trail then passes Baker Falls This trailhead is difficult to find. The beginning of the trail is an to the Big Indian Pond Trailhead (1.25 miles). The eastern end of the overgrown road for approximately ¼ mile. The trail then ascends Greenwood Trial starts on the left side of the Greenwood Motel on steeply on a blue blazed trail. There are some rewarding scenic Route 15 (you may park in their lot by the Trailhead sign). overlooks near the top. The summit has an abandoned fire tower. Directions: Take a right from the Lodge to the traffic light in Directions: Take a left from the Lodge (north) 15.6 miles on Lily Bay Greenville (2.6 miles) then turn right and go north for 5 miles on Road. Turn right (about .4 miles past the Frenchtown line marker) on Route 15 going towards Rockwood. Take a left at the blue sign that a dirt road marked with mailboxes. This is the Frenchtown Road reads “Little Moose” on to North Road (a dirt road). Travel about 1.5 (along the south shore of First Roach Pond). From here travel 2.3 miles on this road past Big Moose Trailhead (1.5 miles); bear left on miles and take a right, then drive another 1.4 miles and take a left. At Big Moose Road for .9 miles. Sign is on the left (Big & Little Moose .9 miles you will cross a wooden bridge. Go another .1 mile and look Ponds) Park on left side of road. carefully in the grass on the left for a white paper company sign marking the trailhead to Number Four Mountain. LITTLE WILSON FALLS Distance: 3 miles round-trip MOUNT KINEO Time: 2-3 hours Distance: 2.2 miles round-trip (for the shortest trail; 8.2 miles round- Directions: Make a right south from the Lodge through the traffic trip (for the longest trail) light in Greenville to Monson on Route 15. Take a left on the Time: 2 hours from the shortest trail Elliottsville Road, just after the “Welcome to Monson” sign. Proceed Elevation: 1789 feet 7.7 miles. Before the bridge that spans Big Wilson Stream, take a left Shuttle: 207-534-9012 The shuttle and go for .7 mile to the second campsite on the right. Park here. boat will take you from Rockwood Immediately cross the stream and look thru the woods for an old road. landing at Mt. Kineo. Call for current Turn left (uphill) on the road and walk a little more than a mile. The shuttle schedule. Appalachian Trail is on the left side just before you come to a pond. Description: There are three separate The trail marker is hard to see from this direction, so you need to look trails that can be used to reach the summit of Kineo. All trails are carefully to your left. Turn left and stay on the whiteblazed AT all the blue blazed, although the Indian Trail trailhead is not clearly marked. way to the falls. It will skirt around the pond, go thru the woods, go 1. Indian Trail – This is the shortest route to fire tower and is back over Wilson Stream, and go a little ways downstream before also the one with the most views. This trail is strenuous. looping around upstream to the falls. Also, it is near to the cliff in many spots and is not a good place for those with a fear of heights. Length: 0.7 mile to Difficulty: MODERATE to CHALLENGING Bridle Trail, then 0.4 mile to the fire tower. 2. Bridle Trail – This is the original fire warden trail. The trail NUMBER FOUR MOUNTAIN is easy. It begins 0.3 mile from the Indian Trail down the Distance: 4 miles round-trip path called the Carriage Trail (which leaves the landing). Time: 3-4 hours There are no views along the trail. The length is 1.1 miles. P.O. Box 1167 ▪ 368 Lily Bay Road ▪ Greenville, Maine 04441 ▪ 207-695-4400 P.O. Box 1167 ▪ 368 Lily Bay Road ▪ Greenville, Maine 04441 ▪ 207-695-4400 www.lodgeatmooseheadlake.com ▪ [email protected] www.lodgeatmooseheadlake.com ▪ [email protected]

3. North Trail – This is the longest trail. Including the entire River. The hike includes a loop trail of approximately 8.5 miles. The length of the Carriage Trail, it is 4.1 miles to the summit. Rim Trail is difficult but will take you by spectacular scenery along For the first part the trail follows the shore of Moosehead the gorge. To visit the Hermitage, look for signs on the right after Lake all the way to Hardscrabble Point, where there are a few crossing the river. From the parking lot it is 6.4 miles to Gulf Hagas campsites. From here the North Trail continues along the Mountain another 4 miles to White Cap Mountain. shoreline over many roots and rocks, and then begins a Directions: Turn right from the Lodge on Lily Bay Road and then strenuous climb through some old hardwoods to the summit. left on Pleasant Street (after the post office). At 2 miles the pavement There are limited views. ends, and at 3.6 miles you’ll cross Big Wilson Stream. At 9 miles you Directions: Right from the Lodge on Lily Bay Road 2.6 miles to the come to hedgehog Checkpoint, where you pay a fee. Maps are offered blinking yellow light, right on Route 15 to Rockwood. Continue on there. This road is called the Katahdin Ironworks Road. Stay right at this route for approximately 18.1 miles. Turn right on a road marked 9.6 miles, and then turn right at 11.5 miles. At 15.9 miles you will with signs for the Rockwood Village. From the Rockwood docks it is come to the Gulf Hagas Parking lot. about a 10 minute ferry ride to Kineo. In the summer there is Checkpoint Fees: Maine Residents: $6.00 per person;’ non-Maine generally a shuttle that leaves the public boat launch every hour on the Resident: $9.00 per person; Children under age 15: FREE hour, although the times may be inconsistent. A small fee is charged. Shuttle Hours – Every hour on the hour 8 am – 5 pm. Shuttle Fees: Difficulty: CHALLENGING Adults $10.00; Children 5-12: $5.00; Children under 5 FREE

BIG MOOSE MOUNTAIN (formerly Big Squaw Mountain) GULF HAGAS Distance: 6 miles round-trip Distance: 8.5 miles round-trip for entire trail, or 1 mile to the head of Time: 3-4 hours the gulf Elevation: 3196 feet Time: 6-8 hours Big Moose offers tremendous views of the Moosehead Region and Rim trail challenging. Pleasant Mount Katahdin. The trail is well marked. Halfway up the trail you River Road Trail is moderate. will pass an old Ranger cabin. From there, a steep step stone path Called the “Grand Canyon of goes up the southeast side of the mountain. The remnants of an old Maine”, this magnificent gorge fire tower are at the summit (built in 1905, the first in the US). From is nearly 4 miles long with the top of the mountain there is another trail that goes north to the vertical slate walls 300 to 400 top of the Squaw Mountain Ski Area and the top of the double chair feet deep. The West Branch of the Pleasant River drops some 400 lift. feet creating numerous waterfalls, chutes and pools. The gorge and Directions: From the traffic light in downtown Greenville turn right adjacent land have been purchased by the National Park Service. The and travel north approximately 5 miles on Route 15 towards Hermitage (a majestic stand of towering King’s Pine) was declared a Rockwood. Take a left on the dirt road marked by a sign for Maine National Landmark in 1968. The Nature Conservancy now owns Public Reserve Lands – Little Moose Unit. Travel approximately 1.5 this land. The trail starts with a ford across the knee-deep Pleasant

miles on this road. Look for the trailhead and parking area on the ponds to the face of Borestone. The last 600 feet of elevation includes right. small sheer rock faces that are difficult to climb when wet. The view at the top is expansive, with a bare summit and two peaks. BIG SPENCER MOUNTAIN Directions: Turn right (south) from the Lodge on Lily Bay Road Distance: 4 miles round-trip through the traffic light in Greenville on Route 15. Take a left on the Time: 5 hours Elliottsville road, just after the “Welcome to Monson” sign. Proceed 8 Elevation: 3230 feet miles and cross over the bridge which spans Big Wilson Stream. Turn Big Spencer is a prominent left after the bridge. Cross the railroad tracks. The trail is Moosehead Lake landmark. The approximately 0.1 mile on the right, with a parking area on the left of views from the top include Lobster the road. Lake, Chesuncook Lake, Katahdin, Moose Mountain, Mt. Kineo, Allagash wilderness lakes and many other lakes, ponds, and CHAIRBACK MOUNTAIN mountains. About .8 mile up the hiking trail is an old Forest Ranger Although steep at first, the trail levels out and is a very pleasant hike cabin. From there, a steep trail leads to the top. There are short to the summit. There are incredible views of White Cap Range, wooden ladders over some of the more slippery areas. An abandoned Baker, Elephant and Big Spencer fire tower is at the summit. Mountains. The last part of the trail Directions: From the Lodge turn left and drive north on the Lily Bay winds through a steep rocky slope, so road to Kokadjo. Take the left fork at 0.2 mile north of Kokadjo. use caution. There is a blue blazed Continue on the main road for 8 miles. At the bridge that crosses side trail to East Chairback Pond. Bear Brook (on the right is BB campsite) turn left and drive 6.1 miles. Directions: Turn right from the The trailhead is on the left. Vehicles with low clearance can make it Lodge on Lily Bay Road and then left to within 200 yards of the trailhead. on Pleasant Street (after the post office). At 2 miles the pavement ends, and at 3.6 miles you’ll cross Big Wilson Stream. At 9 miles you come BORESTONE MOUNTAIN to Hedgehog Checkpoint, and a fee is charged. At 9.6 miles stay Distance: 4 miles round-trip right, and stay right at 11.5 miles. At 15.7 miles the Appalachian Time: 5 hours Trail crosses the road, but there isn’t any room to park. Continue 0.3 Elevation: 1947 feet miles to the Gulf Hagas parking lot, and then walk back to the trail. NO DOGS ALLOWED The Borestone Mountain Wildlife Sanctuary is a check station about BARREN MOUNTAIN 1 mile along the trail. It is sometimes manned by the National Distance: 8 miles round-trip Audubon Society, which owns the land around Borestone. The check Time: 6 hours round-trip station itself—when open—offers interesting exhibits for children. A Finding this trail is a real challenge, but once you do you will be on a small fee may be charged. There are also interesting nature stations remote and strenuous part of the Appalachian Trail. At the beginning along the trail. After leaving the check station, the trail goes by two of the trail you may need to cross the Pleasant River (depending on

where you begin the hike), which may be waist deep. Impressive sites 2. Old AT Route: Do not cross the bridge; take the left just along the way are the Barren Slides and Barren Cliffs. There is a fire before it. You won’t be able to go very far without 4-wheel tower at the summit. Cloud Pond is a remote mountain pond about 1 drive. Plan on walking. Walk for 1.1 miles to where the ¼ miles further that is well road (on which you may spot white blazes – this used to be worth visiting. There are a the AT) crosses Vaughn Stream (use the snowmobile bridge. couple different ways to The road then begins to rise uphill, and at 1.7 miles you will reach Barren Mountain. see a sign on the right marking the Appalachian Trail. You Directions from Borestone: will have to ford Long Pond Stream. Depending on water If you plan to visit conditions, prepare to get at least your feet wet! Borestone Mountain or Directions from the Lodge: Turn right (south) on Lily Bay Road, Little Wilson Falls, then then left on to Pleasant Street (past the post office). Soon the Barren is less then ten pavement ends, and at 3.6 miles you’ll cross Big Wilson Stream. minutes away. Follow Continue on the main dirt road and at 7.3 miles turn right. At 7.5 directions to Borestone, miles take a left and at 9.2 miles stay on the main road. In this area except continue on the road there is a great view of Barren and Borestone and Lake Onawa in as the pavement ends. Stay on this main road as it stays level then between. Take a right at 11.3 miles. Stay straight at 12.7 miles, and descends a steep hill, where there are fantastic views of Barren Slide. at 13.0 miles there is a brown sign marking the AT. Head toward the Soon the road comes to a bridge that spans Long Pond Stream. From sound of Long Pond Stream. This route is the best, as it takes you here, there are two ways to access the Appalachian Trail, and Barren directly to the trailhead. After hiking the trail, you should check out Mountain. Vaughn Falls, 0.5 mile west (southbound on the AT). The trail leaves 1. Otter Pond Route: This is not well-marked trail, but the the road uphill from Barrens’ trailhead, and is marked with a rock good part is that you won’t have toe-ford Long Pond Stream. cairn. It takes you to the 20-foot high Vaughn Falls. Continue over the bridge (which is gated in early spring and early winter) for 0.75 mile and take the first left. Continue LITTLE SPENCER MOUNTAIN down this road, past Otter Pond (which is on the right at Distance: 4 miles round-trip approx. 0.25 mile) to where it ends at approx 0.6 miles. Time: 4 hours round-trip From here, enter the woods and head along an old, Elevation: 3040 feet overgrown tote road. You should hear Long Pond Stream on The trail (not blazed) rises moderately through a hardwood forest, and your left. At about 0.3 mile you should see a path that is then becomes very steep as it enters softwoods, including some giant marked intermittently with orange flagging tape. This pines. There are gorgeous views along the way. After crossing connects with the Appalachian Trail at about 0.5 mile. From through a few slides the trail comes to a narrow chimney. Use caution there, turn right (uphill) and continue to Barren Ledges and in this area; send only one hiker through at a time. There are ropes the fire tower. (If you wish to stay at the Long Pond Stream here to assist the hiker on the way up. There are a few more slides to Lean-to, turn left at the intersection – downhill. cross, and the trail is very close to the cliff edge in some parts. Soon

the trail mounts the ledges where there is some great blueberry picking 2.6 miles turn right, and at 3.8 miles turn left. From here it may be when in season. From here there are no more difficult areas, and it is too rugged for most vehicles other than 4x4s. There is a gravel pit at a moderate walk to the summit, where there are 360 degree views of 6.1 miles, and at 6.4 miles becomes impassable, but you should start Katahdin, Big Spencer, Big Moose, Mt. Kineo, Moosehead Lake and seeing blue blazes. Follow them for a half-mile, and soon you should Jackman area mountains. Some spots along the way have treacherous come to the trailhead sign. At the AT intersection, turn right and footing on loose rock. Dogs and young children will not be able to follow the white blaze to the summit of White Cap. climb this. Directions from the Lodge to the Logan Brook Trail: From the Directions: Follow directions for Big Spencer Mountain to Kokadjo. Lodge, turn left and drive 15.4 miles north on Lily Bay Road. Look After Kokadjo, turn left where the pavement ends. Continue for for a wide dirt road on the right marked by a row of mailboxes. Take another 1.2 miles then turn left again. After another 7.2 miles turn this turn onto the Frenchtown Road. At 9.3 miles, turn left. At 10.8 right at a sign for Spencer Pond Camps. At this turn you will see miles turn right passing near West Brand Pont. At 11.4 miles turn Little Spencer. If you can see the ledges on it, keep in mind that the left (it’s actually the turn straight ahead). At 12.4 miles turn right. At trail goes straight through that very same ledge. Drive 2.1 miles 13.4 miles the road ends at a snowmobile bridge. 0.5 beyond the towards it (stay left). Look carefully for the trailhead on the right, as it ridge, the AT crosses the road. Begin the hike by turning uphill isn’t well marked. Park off the side of the road. (right).

WHITE CAP MOUNTAIN Distance: 2 miles of road and 2.5 miles of trail to the top, on-way Time: 5 hours round-trip This trailhead is difficult to find. It includes a lovely, remote section of the Appalachian Trail known as the Hundred Mile Wilderness. About halfway up is a lean-to. The trail from here to the tree line is steep. The top is an open alpine area with fabulous views of Katahdin. There are two different ways to reach the spectacular views atop White Cap. If you plan to spend time in the Gulf Hagas area then you should check out the White Brook Trail. The more traditional route to White Cap is referred to locally as the Logan Brook Trail (although it’s just the regular old southbound AT), since it follows Logan Brook for much of the way up the mountain, and the trail passes the Logan Brook Lean-to along the way. Directions from Greenville to the White Brook Trail: To reach the White Brook Trailhead, follow the Gulf Hagas Directions (remember there is a fee), but at 11.5 miles stay right. At 19.2 miles, turn left. Begin new mileage here. At 2.4 miles turn left and cross a bridge. At