Doug Dunlap - Day Hiking in the Western Maine Mountains

I thank Michael Hhne and Angela Werner of Hhne-Werner Design in Wilton, Maine. They encouraged me to pursue the writing of a guidebook for Western Maine visitors and residents that would provide an informative welcome to hiking in this region of Maine. Further, they bring exceptional insight and skill to the design process. They share with me a deep love and appreciation for the precious mountains, foothills, and forests described here.

A succession of editors of the Franklin Journal newspaper have provided significant encouragement for my column Foot and Paddle, which has formed the basis for this guide book. These include Mike Petersen, Bobbi Hanstein, Greg Davis, and the current editor, Barry Matulaitis. I am grateful for their support, and for their service to the Western Maine community.

W hat were your discoveries on trail? Did you see a fisher, martin, or bobcat? A bald eagle? A ruffed grouse hen with hatchlings? How was the wind that day? If you stopped and drew silent, what sounds of the mountains and forest did you then hear?

How was the condition of the trail? Recent weather-related changes?

If you brought children along, what were their discoveries?

Do you have a favorite hike not described here?

Send your observations to me at . They may be helpful for future editions or publications.

And thank you!

Doug

Hundreds of miles of trailsfrom gentle lakeside terrain and forest walks, to high peak ascents that reach above tree line.

Day-hiking opportunities ranging from 12 hours, to a full day.

Striking sceneryglacier-scraped ridges; high ponds, cliff-side views, tumbling streams with waterfalls and dipping pools, forests of high pine, spruce, and fir, along with rock maple, paper birch, ash, and beech.

Outstanding views of many of Maines highest peaks10 of Maines 14 peaks over 4000 feet in elevation rise in this region.

Five major trail systems: The Appalachian Trail, Rangeley Lakes Heritage Trust, the Bigelow Preserve, the Weld Region, and Maine Huts and Trails.

Abundant Northern Forest wildlife: deer, moose, turkey, red squirrels, chipmunk, fox, pine marten, fisher, and raccoon; bald eagles, osprey, hawks, loons, mergansers, wood ducks, grouse, countless song birdsand so much more.

Trailhead access near Franklin County towns, where supplies and lodging are available.

If you enjoy hiking, this is the place to be! If you are new to hiking, your trail to the fine outdoor sport of hiking starts herein Franklin County, Maine!

27 popular day hikes in Franklin County, Western Maine, and contiguous regions.

Description of a hike the author has taken on each trail.

Directions for locating the trailhead.

Trail distance, elevation of peaks, and elevation gain.

Gear and supplies list.

Safe hiking tips, including preparation for weather changes.

References for obtaining maps and other detailed information about hiking in Franklin County.

Franklin County is located in West Central Maine, with its southern boundary approximately 90 minutes drive north of Portland, 90 minutes west of Bangor, and 4560 minutes from Augusta, Waterville, and Lewiston-Auburn.

The northernmost region of Franklin County shares the international border with Quebec, and is about 2.5 hours from Quebec City, and 3 hours from Montreal.

US Route 2, a major east-west highway crosses the southern region of the county near the County Seat of Farmington. The major north-south highways are Maine Highways 4 and 27.

Maine Highway 156 provides access to the Weld region. In the northern region Maine Highway 16 enters Maine from New Hampshire west of Rangeley, connects to the Stratton area, and coincides with Highway 27 until it leaves the county east of Kingfield.

Farmington, population 7500, is the county seat, a regional retail and services center, and a college town. Motels, bed and breakfast establishments, and campgrounds, may be found here, along with grocery stores, pharmacies, outdoor clothing and equipment retailers, bookstores, and automobile sales and repair. Franklin Memorial Hospital is the regional medical center.

Other Franklin County towns of Wilton, Weld, Rangeley, Phillips, Strong, Kingfield, Carrabassett Valley, and Stratton also offer supplies, lodging, and automotive services. In addition, smaller communities in and near the county provide gas stations and convenience stores. The major ski and snowsport resorts of Saddleback and Sugarloaf USA also offer lodging and some food services.

Trailheads described in this guide are within 30 minute drive of one or more towns, unless specifically described otherwise.

Trail conditions vary according to the season of the year, and to weatherincluding major meteorological events such as hurricanes, tropical storms, and blizzards.

Mountains make their own weather. This well-known expression cautions you to have clothing and gear suitable for sudden weather changessuch as fast moving electrical storms, or a summer cold front that causes the temperature to drop precipitously in minutes. Carry rain and wind protection.

Before drinking, treat all water in the back country by filtering, use of chemical purifiers, or other effective means. Clarity of water and distance from roads and dwellings is no guarantee of water purity.

Trail maintenance varies depending upon the time of year and maintenance scheduleswith much of the work of trail clearing and upkeep provided by volunteers.

Always tell someone where you are going and when you expect to return.

The author and publisher assume no liability for the use of this book, including, but not limited to, accuracy of descriptions of trails; trail conditions; closure or re-routing of trails; and mishaps associated with trails, terrain, facilities, or any other information provided