Today was a gorgeous day and we knew the views from Mt. Kineo would be spectacular. So that was the plan.
We got our usual late start and had to rush to catch the 11:00 ferry from Rockwood to the "island". Mt. Kineo is not "technically" on an island, but it might as well be. It is only attached to the mainland by a snowmobile trail accessible after a long drive around to the opposite side of Mooshead Lake via gravel back roads.
Hmm. Drive 50-something miles one way from Greenville, hope to find the proper gravel roads, and then walk a mile across the snowmobile trail or pay the $10 per person and take the 15-minute ferry from Rockwood? Ferry.
I suppose we could have paddled over, but the winds can change on the big lake in a hurry, and we didn't want to take that chance today. Maybe the next time we're here. :)
We arrived about 5 minutes after 11:00, but we were lucky. The ferry was also late.
Okay, so "ferry" might be an overstatement. It's a pontoon boat shuttle operated by the Mt. Kineo Golf Course, a reasonably priced 9-hole golf course that was built on the island in the 1880s.
The shuttle is $10 per person ($5 for children) and leaves the Rockwood dock at the top of each hour up to 6:00 p.m. taking golfers and hikers to the island. It leaves the island at fifteen minutes before the top of each hour.
Here is the Mt. Kineo dock.
Once on the island, golfers turn right to go to the clubhouse and hikers turn left to access the trails. We were on a shuttle with two families: one was playing golf and the other was hiking. We decided to let the hiking family get ahead of us, so we went to the clubhouse to check it out and get some pictures of the golf course.
The uniqueness of the location of the golf course in the shadows of Mt. Kineo and along Moosehead Lake is the draw. Also, it's an interesting place for golf historians since the website claims "it is thought to be the second oldest golf course in New England".
The sign at the dock pointing to the clubhouse says "Hikers Welcome" and "Free Trail Maps". Well, we were welcome with our backpacks, but they were out of trail maps. :)
No worries. There are only four trails on the island and they all connect.
The most popular loop consists of taking the Carriage Road Trail about seven to eight tenths of a mile from the dock to the Indian Trail. The Indian Trail is a half-mile, steep climb along the edge of the cliffs for the best views. At the half mile mark, it combines with the Bridle Trail for a fairly easy four tenths of a mile walk through the woods to the summit. At the summit, there are no views until you climb five flights up the old fire tower for a 360-degree view of Moosehead Lake. From the fire tower, it is suggested to take the Bridle Trail back down one mile to the Carriage Road Trail, and then it is another one mile back to the dock.
And that's exactly what we did.
We walked along the flat Carriage Road Trail on the west side of the island between the mountain and the lake.
Eventually, we came to the Indian Trail. It looks daunting at the very beginning as it is pretty steep. Some parts are steeper than others.
But, although it is a constant ascent, there are plenty of places to rest and enjoy the beautiful views.
Here's a video to go with the photos.
And here is a video Linda took as we climbed higher on one of the steeper parts of the trail.
Of course that took us to yet another view.
Another steep part. :)
I just couldn't stop snapping pictures.
The four folks in the bottom right of this photo found some shade and a place to pick blueberries.
A little natural framing of the island peninsula and the mountains in the background.
Water and mountains in all directions.
A half mile up, we reached a flat, open spot with incredibile views.
It's a popular resting and viewing area as it is just a few steps from the intersection of the Bridle Trail and Indian Trail. Folks that take the less steep Bridle Trail join those from the Indian Trail.
Linda thought that was the summit, so she took off her backpack, plopped down under a shade tree, and ate an apple while I did a quick video.
From there, we left the edge of the cliffs and hiked up and down through the woods another four tenths of a mile to the old fire tower at the summit.
If you want a view from this point, you have to climb the tower, something some of the folks there were reluctant to do. But, if you can, you just have to do it.
Here are the 360-degree photos.
And here is the one proving we were really there. :)
Moosehead Lake is at an elevation of about 1,000 feet, and Mt. Kineo adds another 800 feet. On a clear day like today, with the blue skies, blue waters, green forests, white clouds, and distant mountains, it was awesome. Imagine the view in the fall.
Here is Linda's video from the tower.
It was a popular place today. :)
Once we descended from the tower, we found some rocks and ate our lunch. Then we headed back down the mountain. This time, where the Indian Trail branched off the left, we took the Bridle Trail to the right down to the Carriage Road Trail.
The Bridle Trail, while not quite as steep as the Indian Trail, is still fairly steep and a constant downhill with little rest for the knees.
It's pure woods with no views of the lake and is often in a stream bed. Rocks and roots and the slope make it necessary to pay attention to your footing.
Back on the Carriage Road Trail, we walked back toward the dock.
The roundtrip hike was about four miles and took us about three hours including lunch and all the stops for photos.
The first half mile of the Indian Trail, while steep, is a must do if you can. If it's too steep, then take the Bridle Trail up (which is not particularly easy since it still climbs the whole way), take a right at the intersection with the Indian Trail at the seven tenths mile mark for a great view, and then continue on to the tower.
We boarded the shuttle and took one last photo as we sped away from Mt. Kineo.
What a great day hike! And though it is steep going up, we didn't find it nearly as difficult as the four-mile Rim Trail at Gulf Hagas that we did the other day.
If you would like to view all 80-something photos, click on the Hiking Mt. Kineo Slideshow.
From the Rockwood dock, we headed home to get cleaned up and change clothes. Then, it was time for a guilty pleasure.
One of the things I've always wanted to do, is take off and land in a seaplane (or float plane). We didn't get the chance to do it when we were in Alaska in 2004, but I wanted to do it here.
Float planes are a big deal up here in the Maine woods. In fact the International Seaplane Fly-In is here on Moosehead Lake in September. And there are a couple of float plane tour companies in Greenville.
At the recommendation of others, we selected Currier's Flying Service and booked their last flight of the day (and their shortest).
After checking in, we met our pilot, Roger, down at the dock by the Cessna 180.
No paperwork, no liability waivers, just pay and go. :)
I climbed in the back seat so I could take pictures out of both sides, and Linda climbed in the front passenger seat.
Linda took this four-minute video of our flight prep and take-off.
As soon as we were airborne, I took shots of the lake and the islands ...
and the distant mountains.
This bay in Greenville Junction was our "runway". :)
We cirled over the town of Greenville.
It was a quick 15 - 20 minute flight and then we were ready to land.
Linda got another video of the landing.
Okay. Mark that off the bucket list. Cool. :)
We thanked Roger, and were on our way.
After the flight, we decided to get a bite to eat at the Stress Free Moose Pub & Cafe.
It doesn't have waterside dining like The Black Frog or Kelly's Landing, but it is pretty stress-free and the deck is dog-friendly. We spilt a homemade cranberry chicken salad wrap that was delicious.
After that, it was such a nice night, we weren't really ready to go back to the campground. But it had been a busy day, so we headed back to relax.
Yep, another fantastic day on Moosehead Lake in the Maine woods. I think we're gonna miss the laid back atmosphere and natural beauty when we leave. :)
I am glad you found some rocks for lunch so you didn't go hungry. Were they tasty?
Posted by: anita payne | Friday, July 29, 2011 at 06:14 PM
Wow what gorgeous scenery... LOVED your photos and post!!!
Have fun
Donna
Posted by: Donna | Friday, July 29, 2011 at 10:55 PM
I love Maine and can't wait to spend a summer there. Thanks for the tip on dog-friendly eateries, we much appreciate hearing the little tidbits like that!
Karen and Al
Posted by: Karen and Al Phillips | Saturday, July 30, 2011 at 09:38 AM
Anita, you beat me to it.
Posted by: Brother Jon | Saturday, July 30, 2011 at 09:49 AM
Looks like a great day Howard. Fabulous pictures but your mother's comment takes the cake!! Way to go Anita!!
Posted by: Sherry | Saturday, July 30, 2011 at 02:54 PM