White Cap Mountain

By CAREY KISH

Copyright © 2003 Blethen Maine Newspapers Inc.

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Trail name: White Cap Mountain Nearest town: Brownville Region: Katahdin/Moosehead Length: 16 miles Difficulty: Advanced Elevation gain: 3,654 feet Directions: To find the trailhead, go five miles north from Brownville on Route 11, then about 20 miles west on the K-I Road to the A.T. crossing. Maps: Get driving directions from MapQuest. View a topo map from Maptech MapServer.

Excellent views of Katahdin and the famed "100-Mile Wilderness" are found on this challenging 16-mile hike over the rugged peaks of the White Cap Range. Add a side trip to the spectacular slate canyon of Gulf Hagas to make for one of Maine's finest backpacking weekends.

Start at the A.T. crossing, just south of the West Branch of the Pleasant River. Ford the river (use caution!); pass through the lovely Hermitage, a grove of old-growth pines. Continue on to Screw Auger Falls and the side trail to Gulf Hagas. Reach the Carl Newhall Lean-to and camp after five miles of steady uphill hiking.

You'll need an early start the next day in order to tackle Gulf Hagas Mountain, West Peak and Hay Mountain, before topping out on the lofty alpine summit of White Cap Mountain at 3,654 feet. Double back a mile to the White Brook Trail and descend two miles to a logging road. Follow this back to Hay Brook and the A.T.

To find the trailhead, go five miles north from Brownville on Route 11, then about 20 miles west on the K-I Road to the A.T. crossing.

Carey Kish of Portland is the former president of the Maine Outdoor Adventure Club. He can be reached at maineoutdoors@aol.com.