Sabattus Mountain

By CAREY KISH

Copyright © 2006 Blethen Maine Newspapers Inc.

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Photo by Carey Kish On the cliffs at the top of Sabattus Mountain. On the trail [5 images] Trail name: Sabattus Mountain Nearest town: Lovell Region: Western Mountains Length: 2 miles Difficulty: Intermediate Maps: Get driving directions from MapQuest. View a topo map from Maptech MapServer.

Sabattus Mountain is a two-mile round trip hike on Maine public reserve land. Allow about two hours to make the loop and enjoy the spectacular summit cliffs. The trailhead is located two miles off Route 5 in Lovell.

The trail splits a short distance into the woods. Proceed on the left fork, climbing gradually through young hardwoods on a well-worn path blazed occasionally with yellow paint.

Wend your way uphill through a narrow corridor between spindly white pines. Bear right at a sign and switchback through a grove of hemlocks.

Take a sharp right in an open area and traverse the ridgetop on level trail, reaching a large outcropping of brilliant white quartzite and an outlook through the trees toward Shawnee Peak.

Pass another viewpoint before coming upon the remains of an old fire tower on top of the 1,253-foot peak. Attached to one of the concrete stanchions is a memorial to Steven Hickey, a young local man who died in a boating accident while trying to save his brother. Sabattus Mountain was one of Hickey's favorite places.

Pause here and take in Lovewell Pond, Highland Lake, Pleasant Mountain and its ski trails, and miles of pleasing forest and farmland.

Scramble farther down the ridge along the precipitous cliffs to a green park bench, an unusual find on a mountaintop, but appreciated nonetheless as a comfortable, if rather airy, spot for a lunch break.

From this lofty perch you'll enjoy extensive views from the rounded dome of Jockey Cap in Fryeburg to the conical Kearsarge Mountain, the distinctive twin peaks of Doublehead Mountain and the alpine summits of the Baldfaces on the edge of New Hampshire's White Mountains. Massive Mount Washington and Boott Spur dominate the far skyline, while Kezar Lake beckons just below.

Double back to the tower site and descend to the left on a wide path that is steep in places. At an old woods road, bear right and continue easily downhill back to the trailhead.

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