The Appalachian Trail Conservancy, the managing agency for the Appalachian National Scenic Trail, marks its 100th anniversary this year. The ATC was established in 1925 as the Appalachian Trail Conference with a mission to complete the AT, a milestone achieved just 12 years later. Based in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, the organization’s name changed in 2005 to better reflect its work to conserve and protect the 2,198-mile trail from Georgia to Maine.
The 281 miles of the AT in Maine ranges from the Mahoosuc Range to the Kennebec River to Katahdin, plus some 40 miles of side trails. Celebrate a century of the ATC’s work as well as that of its 31 volunteer trail maintaining clubs — including our own Maine Appalachian Trail Club — with a hike or two on the AT this year. Options abound, but here are six great selections to consider for your to-do list.
The Height of Land on Route 17 in Township D south of Rangeley offers one of the finest roadside vistas in Maine, taking in the valley of Bemis Stream, the bumps of the Bemis Range, and sprawling Mooselookmeguntic Lake. The overlook is a fine spot to begin your hike northbound on the AT, which leads over wooded Spruce Mountain to views of Moxie Pond, then to Long Pond and its sandy beach (swimming!), and finally to the trailside shelter at lovely Sabbathday Pond. The hike is about 8 miles round trip.
Katahdin is the ultimate hike on the AT in Maine. From Katahdin Stream Campground in the southwest corner of Baxter State Park, the Hunt Trail (the AT) leads an easy mile to Katahdin Stream Falls, one of the state’s prettiest cascades. Beyond, it’s a steady climb to the airy Hunt Ridge, a rocky scramble to the Gateway, and then a jaunt over the open ground of the Tableland to Thoreau Spring, and on to the summit at Baxter Peak, the AT’s northern terminus. Hugging the famous sign is allowed. It’s about 11 miles for the round-trip journey.
Grafton Notch is a deep defile created by the steep slopes of Old Speck and Baldpate Mountain. Get extraordinary bird’s eye views of the glacially carved U-shaped valley and the high peaks looming over it from Table Rock and Eyebrow Cliff. A figure-eight hike via the AT and two side loops beginning and ending at the hiker parking lot on Route 26 leads to these airy perches. Cables, iron ladders and hand rails, and boulder caves add to the fun and excitement. The two legs are just shy of 5 miles combined.
A veritable sea of granite ledges greets hikers atop Moxie Bald Mountain in Bald Mountain Township along the AT between the Kennebec River and Caratunk and the village of Monson. Beginning at Troutdale Road near the south end of Moxie Pond, you’ll rock hop across Baker Stream to reach Bald Mountain Shelter. Gain the Moxie Bald summit and drink in the grand 360-degree views that range from Big Moose and Coburn mountains to the high peaks of the Bigelow Range. The round-trip ramble is 9 1/2 miles.
Gulf Hagas is a spectacular gorge on the West Branch of the Pleasant River in the heart of the 100-Mile Wilderness between Greenville and Brownville Junction. This 3-mile stretch of river, affectionately known as the “Grand Canyon of Maine,” drops 400 feet beneath rugged walls of slate and features no less than six beautiful waterfalls. Take the AT to the ford across the river and through the tall pines of the Hermitage to reach the Gulf, then follow the Rim Trail and Pleasant River Tote Road for a real beauty of an 8-mile loop.
Hike north on the AT from Route 17 in Sandy River Plantation to tag two of Maine’s finest 4,000-foot summits, Saddleback and The Horn. The impressive granite slab of Piazza Rock and Eddy Pond are highlights on the way to the Alpine terrain of the upper mountain. The long and exposed ridgeline of granite and krummolz offers spectacular walking on a nice day. The Berry Picker Trail joins the route at the wide col on the way to The Horn, your turnaround point. It’s a long but highly satisfying 14.6-mile out-and-back jaunt.
Carey Kish of Mount Desert Island is the author of Beer Hiking New England, AMC’s Best Day Hikes Along the Maine Coast and the AMC Maine Mountain Guide. Follow more of Carey’s adventures on Facebook and Instagram.
