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Sunday, August 15, 2004
Burnt Mountain, Burnt Mountain
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Burnt Mountain isn't listed in any guidebook that I'm aware of, and I didn't know of a trail up it until recently, when I stumbled across one while mountain biking the cross-country ski trails of the Sugarloaf Outdoor Center. I went back to hike it soon after and had a terrific day's outing. At 3,609 feet high, Burnt Mountain is overshadowed by nearby Sugarloaf and the other big peaks in the neighborhood, but it stands tall with true wilderness character. Burnt Mountain has an extensive alpine zone that rivals Sugarloaf, but without all the man-made features - like summit towers, ski lifts, ski trails and lodges. You'll enjoy great hiking, terrific vistas, and will likely have the trail all to yourself. Most hikers choose to go up and back on the same well-trodden path - the Burnt Mountain Trail - a round trip of six miles. The trail gains 1,900 feet in elevation, but is only moderately difficult. More adventuresome hikers will want to tackle the entire Burnt Mountain Trail loop, a distance of about nine miles. Beyond the mountain's summit the way becomes considerably less defined and more challenging. Careful route-finding above the tree line is necessary, especially if the weather closes in. Even down into the trees, the route can be sketchy in places, but it's entirely doable. The solitude alone on this seldom-visited side of the mountain will make the added miles worthwhile. The Burnt Mountain trailhead is best accessed from the Sugarloaf/USA ski area base, where there is plenty of parking in summer. Be sure to visit the Sugarloafer Shop in West Village, where you can pick up a trail map (essential for navigating the Sugarloaf Outdoor Center cross-country ski trail system) and any last-minute supplies. From behind the Sugarloaf Hotel it's a 10-minute walk to the trailhead, following Adams Mountain Road, then Bigelow Mountain Road to its end. A wide ski trail (No. 21) leads into the woods a short distance to the trailhead, on your right just after crossing the West Branch of Brackett Brook. Follow the blue-blazed trail alongside the brook to a nice swimming hole. I made a note to come back here later for a post-hike dip. Continuing up the valley the trail gradually veers away from the brook. After a short stretch of moderate climbing, the trail breaks out of the trees onto an open saddle with good views. I turned north and climbed to the summit over the barren alpine landscape. The top of Burnt Mountain offers a commanding 360-degree view of Sugarloaf, Spaulding Mountain, the long ridge of Mount Abraham, the Bigelow Range and countless other peaks. But the dark clouds of an approaching thunderstorm threatened, so I wolfed down a quick lunch and continued on. From the summit the route traverses a broad plateau before descending. I had to stop and search for trail markers occasionally, which made things interesting and fun. Once into the trees, the trail drops steadily for several miles through fragrant balsam firs, and further on, through a mature, park-like forest of spruce. Lower down, the Burnt Mountain Trail crosses ski trail No. 51 several times before it ends at No. 50. Take a left here and follow the old road. Strawberries patches and raspberry thickets slowed my progress considerably, but I just couldn't pass them up. Trail No. 50 eventually leads to No. 22, then to straightforward walking on No. 21 back to the starting point. I finished the hike with a much-needed swim in Brackett Brook, a fine ending to another great day in the wild. Carey Kish of Portland is the former president of the Maine Outdoor Adventure Club. He can be reached at |
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