Mount Tire`m

By CAREY KISH

Copyright © 2006 Blethen Maine Newspapers Inc.

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Photo by Carey Kish Hiking snow-free but icy on the Daniel Brown Trail up Mt Tire'm in February. On the trail [4 images] Trail name: Mount Tire`m Nearest town: Waterford Region: Western Mountains Length: less than 2 miles Difficulty: Intermediate Elevation gain: 1,104 Maps: Get driving directions from MapQuest. View a topo map from Maptech MapServer.

The hike up 1,104-foot Mount Tire'm is a little less than two miles round-trip. Allow a leisurely one and a half hours, more if you decide to linger on any of the numerous scenic ledges.

The trailhead is in the picturesque village of Waterford on Plummer Hill Road, just off Routes 35 and 37. There is no official parking, so pull your vehicle well off the road.

Mount Tire'm is on private property, so please be courteous and practice Leave No Trace principles, here and elsewhere.

A bronze plaque on a boulder marks the start of the Daniel Brown Trail. Take the wide path uphill into the woods, following a stone wall on your left. While the trail is not blazed, it is well-defined and easy to follow.

Contour easily up along the east side of the hill through a mixed forest of birches and hemlocks, maples, oaks and pines, with occasional glimpses of Keoka Pond.

Pass around a large blowdown, and soon after reach a viewpoint and scenes of Bear Pond, Bear Mountain and Long Lake.

Just ahead, amid the pines on the summit ledges, are scenic windows looking out to Pleasant Mountain and the ski slopes of Shawnee Peak.

A two-wheel track leads farther along the ridgeline, passing through pleasant forest and along well-built and well-preserved stone walls. When you're done poking around, return to your car via the same route.

Carey Kish of Portland is a Registered Maine Guide and enjoys exploring the out-of-the-way hills and mountains of Maine. He can be reached at: maineoutdoors@aol.com