This past weekend I was able to do a quick trip up to the 100 Mile Wilderness in Maine, and got some fantastic weather and foliage for hiking! I arrived to Little Lyford before dinner and was able to do a quick hike up Laurie's Ledge Trail to one of the outlooks of Lyford Pond with views of Hagas Mountain in the background (picture to the right). You can also
continue hiking up moderate grades to Indian Mountain (elv. 2,338') which has
spectacular views looking into the 100 Mile Wilderness towards Hagas and White Cap Mountains, and on a clear day you can see Katahdin!
From Laurie's Ledge Trail headed back to Little Lyford you can then connect with the Nation's Nature Trail, an easy 1.3 mile loop hike that passes through wetlands, woodlands, a short
climb up to The Pinnacle and then down to the West Branch of the
Pleasant River. There are 12 interpretive stations; a
more detailed trail brochure is available at Little Lyford.The Nation's Nature Trail also connects to the trails to the Little Lyford ponds. The picture on the bottom is looking north towards Baker Mountain.
The next day I was able to hike the loop of Chairback, Columbus and Third Mountains, one of the
Top 10 Fall hikes in Maine. I started from the Henderson Brook Trail off of Chairback Mountain Road (0.5 miles from
Gorman Chairback). This trail is an easy 1.1 mile hike down-valley along the Henderson Brook passing by beautiful waterfall and pools, crossing the brook twice, with ropes to help assist across. The trail then intersects with the Appalachian Trail (AT) southbound to Chairback Mountain (elv 2190'). The trail climbs at moderate grades, and at 3.0 miles there is a 0.2 mile side trail that goes to East Chairback Pond.
Continuing 1.1 miles you get to the base of Chairback Mountain, hike a small scree and boulder field and then emerge onto the summit with fantastic views of Baker Mountain, the White Cap Range and Elephant Mountain (bottom picture). Continuing south on the AT on moderate grades you pass by Chairback Gap Lean-to, at 0.9 miles the wooded summit of Columbus Mountain (elv 2342'), and 2.8 miles to the summit of Third Mountain (elv 2069'). From the summit there are great views of Long Pond (picture above). Continuing south on the AT at 0.7 mile is the intersection with the Third Mountain Trail 1.4 miles to Chairback Road. You can also hike the Long Pond Trail, an easy 0.5 mile hike to Gorman Chairback. This loop makes for a fantastic day hike with spectacular views of the 100 Mile Wilderness!
For any general questions, conditions information, or trail advice, please feel free to contact us
here at the Pinkham Notch Visitor Center front desk. We are
available by phone at (603) 466-2721 every day from 6:30 AM to 10:00 PM
or by email at amcpinkhaminfo@outdoors.org. To make reservations at AMC Lodges and Huts, please call
(603)466-2727 available Monday through Saturday 9am-5pm.
Happy Hiking!
Danielle J.
Backcountry Information Specialist
AMC Pinkham Notch Visitor Center
(603) 466-8116
amcpinkhaminfo@outdoors.org
Labels: Foliage, Gorman Chairback, Little Lyford, Maine, Maine Wilderness Lodges
The next day I was able to hike the loop of Chairback, Columbus and Third Mountains, one of the Top 10 Fall hikes in Maine. I started from the Henderson Brook Trail off of Chairback Mountain Road (0.5 miles from Gorman Chairback). This trail is an easy 1.1 mile hike down-valley along the Henderson Brook passing by beautiful waterfall and pools, crossing the brook twice, with ropes to help assist across. The trail then intersects with the Appalachian Trail (AT) southbound to Chairback Mountain (elv 2190'). The trail climbs at moderate grades, and at 3.0 miles there is a 0.2 mile side trail that goes to East Chairback Pond. 