- Big Squaw Mountain:
- At 3,196 feet, Big Squaw Mountain, with a long ridge line,
dominates the view to the west from the Moosehead area. The view
from the top of the mountain is famous for beholding the Moosehead
region and its many lakes and mountains. this mountain was home
to the first fire tower in the United States, built by M.G. Show
in 1905.
Directions from Greenville: Travel approximately
5.3 miles north on Route 15. Take a left on the dirt road directly
across from the Forest Fire Danger level sign. (Just past the
Maine Forest Service Squaw Brook Campground.) Travel a little
less than a mile on this road. Look carefully for a sign on
the right, which marks the trailhead.
Time: Round trip is approximately 7.5 miles, Allow
up to 5 hours. when on top, proceed a short distance ahead to
a ledge with a view of Mirror Pond. There is a 2,000 foot elevation
change from the base to the top.
- Little Squaw Mountain:
- This is a very beautiful hike. You will pass three very picturesque
mountain ponds in a distance of only four miles.
Directions: You have two choices for hiking
this lovely area.
- Follow the same directions for the Big Squaw Mountain hike.
Follow the road beyond the Big Squaw trail head to the Y to the
gravel pit. You will see the post headings of the trail approximately
1/2 mile from the gravel pit. Follow the trail to the edge of
Little Squaw pond. Papoose Pond will be on your left. After Papoose
Pond, you may follow the trail to the left which ends behind the
Greenwood Motel (will need a shuttle back) or you may follow the
trail to the right which will take you around Little Squaw Pond.
If you continue to bear right, you will come back down between
the two Squaw Ponds. At the top of the right hand turn, if you
turn around, you will note a spectacular view of the south and
the east. (This portion of the trail is the most difficult
and should be approached only from the south to the north, unless
you are a seasoned hikers. From north to south it is a very steep,
uphill climb.).
If you choose to follow the trail straight ahead, you will
have a relatively easy hike to Little Notch Pond (approx.
25 minutes)This trail ends just beyond the pond, therefore
you will have to turn around and return to the downhill trail
on the left, between the Squaw Ponds to return to your starting
point.
Time: This entire trip will take you between
3-½ and 4 hours depending upon your hiking speed and ability. Begin
your hike behind the Greenwood Motel (it is OK to park in their
lot) just north of Greenville on Rt. 15. This hike ends on the Scott
Paper logging road approximately 1 mile from the trailhead of Big
Squaw Mountain. The trail from the Motel to Big Squaw Pond is approx.
4 miles. It ascends over Little Squaw Pond to Big Squaw Pond. A
car shuttle or pickup can be arranged with the proprietors of the
Greenwood upon request.
- Borestone Mountain:
- At 1, 947 feet, this is a small, but rugged mountain with
a bare summit and two peaks.. This is a great family hike. Total
distance is only four miles.
Directions: Reach the trail by driving south
from Green on Rt.15 to within .5 miles north of Monson village.
Take a left on the Elliotsville Road (look for the Appalachian Trail
sign). Proceed ahead 8 miles to Big Wilson Falls. (A beautiful waterfall
can be seen by going left before the bridge.) Cross bride and take
next left. Cross the railroad tracks. Trail is approximately .1
miles on the right up a private road. Park on the main road, on
the left. A small fee may be charged by the Audubon Society property
caretaker. The society owns the land around Borestone. They have
developed interesting nature stations along the trail.
Time: Allow 3-4 hours for the round trip.
- Big Spencer Mountain:
- The view from the top of this prominent Moosehead landmark
is truly outstanding. This is a challenging hike to a manned Forest
Service firetower.
Directions: To get to the trailhead, drive to
Kokadjo 20 miles north of Greenville, on the Lily Bay Road. From
Kokadjo, drive 5 miles (be sure to take the left fork .2 miles north
of Kokadjo) to the Georgia Pacific Paper Company gate, where a small
fee will be charged. Proceed ahead approximately 3 miles to the
Maine Forest Service Bear Brook Campsite on the right. Take the
next left on a well used dirt road. Proceed ahead for approximately
6.5 miles to the trailhead on the left. Look for a sign. Park on
the right, just beyond the trailhead.
Time: Allow up to 4 hours hiking time for the
round tip. This is an 3,230' peak with a 1,900' elevation change,
the upper portion of the trail has some ladders placed over steep
sections.
- B-52 Hike - Easy Walk; Elephant Mountain:
- Site of B-52 bomber wreckage which crashed on Elephant Mountain
in 1963.
Directions: To reach this historic spot, head
north from Greenville on the Lily Bay Road for 1 mile. Take a right
on the Scammon Ridge Road, at the base of Blair Hill heading out
of Greenville. In approximately 1.5 miles, leave the pavement which
turns sharply to the right. Proceed straight on a dirt road. Go
approximately 8 miles to end of road (ahead will be unimproved logging
road). Take left road to North Brook bridge. Park on east or west
side of bridge well off the road. Avoid active logging operations.
Cross over bridge, take 2nd left road. Trailhead is on right approximately
2 miles. Two trails are marked with signs. The first trail is wet
and rocky and proceeds 500 ft. to the B52 wreckage site. The second
trail is beyond the first sign some 200 yds. This trail is easier
and proceeds 400ft. to site.
One can also reach the trailhead by driving straight on Lily
Bay Road. Continue straight approximately .5 miles to Beaver Cove.
Look for sign on the right at Prong Pond road for Horseshoe Pond
and B52. Turn on Prong Pond road and follow the signs to the trail
head.
Time: Allow 1-½ hours hiking time.
- Number Four Mountain:
- This mountain provides a 2,890 foot summit with a firetower.
Although not a heavily traveled trail, the view offers a feeling
of "being in the mountains".
Directions: To get to this trail, travel approx.
17 miles north of Greenville on the Lily Bay Road. One mile south
of Kokadjo, take the Frenchtown Road which parallels First Roach
Pond. This road is an obviously wide and well-traveled dirt road.
Travel approximately 1.5 miles on this road. Take a right and travel
1 mile. This road provides excellent views of Number Four Mountain
and Lily Bay Mountain to your left. Take the first left off this
road and go .5 miles; trail is on the left after the first bridge
marked by a sign. Parking is across from the trail head on the right.
Hake ahead on an overgrown road approximately ¼ mile to the site
of an old wardens cabin. The trail then ascends very steeply on
a blue blazed trail.
Time: The round trip is approximately 2.5 miles.
Allow 2-3 hours. Magnificent views from the top are rewarding.
- Gulf Hagas:
- Appropriately nicknamed "the Grand Canyon of Maine",
this magnificent gorge is nearly 4 miles long, at times displaying
vertical slate walls 300' to 400' deep. The west branch of the Pleasant
River drops some 400' within this four miles creating numerous waterfalls,
chutes, and pools. The falls are particularly spectacular during
the spring runoff. This is also a must trip in the fall during the
peak of the foliage season. The summer offers tempting swimming
holes under waterfalls. This is truly one of the most spectacular
gorges in all New England and a highly recommended hiking trip.
The gorge and adjacent land has recently been purchased by the national
Park Service. "The Hermitage" (a majestic stand of towering
white king pine) was declared a registered National landmark in
1968. This land is now owned by the Nature Conservancy.
Directions: Access from Greenville. Take a right
at Sanders Store in Greenville (Pleasant Street) and continue straight
ahead for approximately 2 miles. At this point, the road takes a
sharp right angle turn. Continue ahead on a dirt road approximately
10 miles, where you will come to the hedgehog Checkpoint gate).
Stop at the gate, pay a small fee (North Maine Woods Association).
The attendant will give you a map and directions to the head of
the Gulf.
Time: Allow 6-8 hours for the hike which includes
a long trail of approximately 8.5 miles. To continue to "The
Hermitage" would entail a round trip of 11.5 miles and would
require about 8 hours. If you do not wish to hike the entire trail,
the head of the gulf can be reached by hiking only 1 mile from the
trailhead. The Appalachian Trail passes through the Gulf. You will
want to return to this spot time after time!!!!
- Little Spencer:
- This hike is considered difficult for the average hiker. Caution
should be exercised. There is a flagging tape trail through the
woods. The beginning of the trail is somewhat wet and then becomes
very steep and strenuous, although not a technical climb. Footing
can be somewhat difficult on steep portions due to loose shale rock.
Directions: Follow directions as for Big Spencer
Mountain to Kokadjo. At the first fork in the road, take the left
fork to Spencer Pond Camps. 2.1 miles from the corner, take the
road on the right. This road will take you along the east shore
of Spencer Pond. Approximately 1/2 mile on the right, you will spot
the flagging tape which marks the trailhead. There is a book at
the summit of the mountain to sign.
Time: 4 hours for round trip.
- Mt. Kineo:
- Located on a peninsula in the center of Moosehead lake, Mt.
Kineo rises dramatically 800 feet straight up out of the water on
its southeastern face. This famous landmark can e seen by driving
20 miles north of Greenville on Rt. to Rockwood.
- To get to Kineo from Rockwood, you must go by boat. Two trails,
the Indian Trail and the Bridle Trail, lead to the top. At the top,
one can continue from the fire tower to North Trail and Hardscrabble
Point approximately 1-¾ miles and continue east on the Carriage
Road Trail 1-½ miles to make a loop hike back to the Bridle Trail.
Once on the peninsula, do not head straight to the base of Kineo
as the trail disappears and is closed Proceed by heading northwest
along the shore path from the docking area. Passing under the spectacular
cliffs of Kineo flint, it is approximately .8 miles to the Indian
trail which starts on the right flagged by blue blaze. This trail
stays near the edge of the cliff all the way to the top which is
reached in 1 mile. NOTE: This trail passes over steep cliffs
for extended lengths and adults should be in control of children
at all times. Dramatic drop off all the way. Watch closely for blaze
marks to keep on trail. A short distance before reaching the firetower
on top, you can continue east to a trail which leads to the sheer
faced cliffs... but be careful.
To reach the Bridle Trail, continue .3 miles northeast beyond
the Indian trail on the shore path. The trail is on the right by
an old warden's camp. Although there are no views until the top
is reached, this is a longer, easier trail. The fire tower on top
affords spectacular views and is well worth the climb.
Time: Allow 3 hours round trip from the docking
area.
[ Outdoor-Sporting
Guide | Moosehead Lake Region | Maine
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