About the Appalachian Trail in Maine
Overview
281.4 miles*
The AT in Maine features the most remote hiking on the entire trail, including the final stretch between the town of Monson and the summit of Katahdin (the northern terminus of the AT) which is known as the Hundred Mile Wilderness.
The trail in Maine is a place of indescribable beauty punctuated by long stretches through verdant woodlands and vistas from bald granite summits. The terrain (roots, rocks, and mud are prevalent) can be tough on pace, footwear, and feet. From May through early August insects (primarily black flies and mosquitos) are so thick they drive the moose into the lakes for relief. If you’re hiking through in those months, be prepared to fend them off or you may be swimming with the moose yourself!
Selected Highlights of the Maine AT
Mahoosuc Notch is a valley chock full of giant boulders that fell from the cliffs above. It is considered by some to be the toughest mile of the AT because of the gyrations required to get through, especially with a bulging pack. Northbound, the climb out of the notch and over the summit of Old Speck is one of the almighty grunts on the whole AT. As a reward, there’s a lake and a shelter nestled in a cirque near the summit. A fire tower on the top of Old Speck (4170′) provides a fine view, too.
Bigelow Range. Exceptional views over Flagstaff Lake, the Carrabassett Valley, and, on a good day, as far as Katahdin. The range was named for Colonel Timothy Bigelow, a member of Benedict Arnold’s army, who passed through the region during their ill-fated raid on Montreal. In more recent years, a plan to build a ski area on the range was quashed, and instead, it became part of the state’s inventory of protected lands.
Katahdin – The northern terminus of the AT. At 5269 feet, it’s the highest point in Maine and, in my opinion, one of the most inspiring places, not just on the AT, but in the world. The open tablelands create a sense of vastness that is seldom duplicated on the trail other than on the granite summits in the White Mountains.
* 2006-2011 data compiled by the Appalachian Trail Conservancy
Suggested Section Hikes on the AT in Maine
Caratunk to Monson (S to N) - 37 miles
Starting on the east side of the Kennebec River, this hike takes you up and over the open summit of Moxie Bald Mountain before taking you on a woodland and riverside walk. It’s a real treat. Please note that if you want to add mileage to your trip by starting south of Caratunk, you’ll have to arrange for a ferry crossing of the Kennebec River. (The word “ferry” may conjure images of large vessels, but in this case, it’s actually a canoe.) The ferry service is operated by the Maine Appalachian Trail Club from late May to early October. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO CROSS THE KENNEBEC WITHOUT USING THE FERRY SERVICE. The dam upstream may release water without notice. For more info about the ferry service, click here.
A huge nod of thanks to the Maine Appalachian Trail Club (founded by Myron Avery himself) for providing this service. It’s the only river crossing on the whole AT where you’ll need a helping hand to get across.
Caratunk to Maine Route 27 (N to S) - 36.6 miles
As stated above, you could easily add this section with the one above to create a nice 75-mile hike. (Because I live in Maine, it was easy for me to split it into two shorter hikes.) Just don’t forget to plan for the ferry crossing at the halfway mark. The highlight of the trip is the Bigelow Range (see above). If you want to get your legs into trail shape and lighten your food load before the climb up and over the range, the north-south hike is the way to go. Either way, you’ll be rewarded with some of the finest views on the whole AT.
Hundred Mile Wilderness (Baxter State Park Perimeter Road to Monson (109.5 miles)
One of the most hallowed sections of the entire AT is a splendid hike through remote forests, along streams, and over mountains. Please note that I did not include the hike to the summit of Mount Katahdin in my mileage total. That climb entails an additional 9 miles (4.5 miles of climbing and the return trip to Katahdin Stream Campground. You will need to arrange for climbing permits and accommodations through the Baxter State Park Authority for that.
One more important note about the Hundred Mile Wilderness – If you’re new to backpacking or out of shape, this is probably the worst hike on the entire AT to attempt. Here’s why. If you don’t have the right gear, there’s no place to get it and if you have too much gear, there’s no place to get rid of it. There is literally one place where you can access the trail between Monson and Abol Store (10 miles south of the Perimeter Road). In addition, cell phone coverage in this area is the worst on the trail. You won’t be able to easily call for help. Please take these considerations into account before you hit the trail. You may find my post on Section Hiking the Hundred Mile Wilderness helpful for trip planning.
Shuttles in Maine
Public transportation isn’t an option for most of the AT in Maine. However, there are shuttle services that can help you out. I’ve had really good luck parking on one end of the section and having a shuttle driver take me to the starting point. That way, you can simply walk toward your awaiting vehicle. The Appalachian Trail Conservancy publishes an up-to-date list of trail shuttle providers. You may also find this blog post on Loop Hikes and Trail Shuttles helpful.
Get Ready to Hike the AT
Interested in hiking the AT? You may find Appalachian Odyssey a useful resource. I section-hiked the AT over nearly three decades with a good friend and we learned a lot! Includes profile maps of all 28 section hikes, 80+ color photos and a great feel for what it’s like to hike the various sections.
Interested in the history of the AT? How the trail came into being is the subject of my book, Blazing Ahead.
If you have any questions about trip planning, please contact me by email at jeff@jeffryanauthor.com. I look forward to hearing from you.