2001 September 2 - Mount Abraham

Looking west from the summit (along side trail to AT)

Unique stone work at the summit	Looking east from the summit

Mount Abraham, at 4043 feet, is truly a must for Maine hikers. It offers excellent views and a large area with little or no vegetation near the summit. Hiking over Abraham along Firewarden's trail is an attractive approach to doing Abraham and Spaulding in a day trip if you are bagging all the 4000'ers in Maine.

Directions From route 16 in Kingfield, take West Kingfield Road (located right beside Jordan Lumber Company). At 3.4 miles this road becomes gravel; 0.2 mile later proceed straight through at the intersection. Road Narrows. 2.5 miles later, go left at the Y junction, proceed across two wooden bridges 0.7 mile. Here there is a T junction; the trailhead (Firewarden's Trail) heads straight into the woods at this point. Approximately 1.7 miles of the trail can be bypassed by turning right at this intersection; travel 1.8 miles and turn left up the hill. The trail crosses this road at 0.2 mile, marked by a cairn on the right shoulder. This point was accessible by passenger car on the date of my visit, however neither of the trail heads was accessible without a high clearance vehicle earlier in the summer. Alternate approach from AT via side trail requires a rather long hike or a bushwhack.

Trail Narrow woods trail ascends very gradually until the old fire warden's cabin is reached, then becomes steep. Up to the cabin, many pale yellow blazes can still be seen; there appear to be no trail markings beyond the cabin until one comes out into the open approaching the summit. Trail bears sharp left right in front of the cabin. Use caution on this unmarked section; trail is not difficult to follow but can be confusing at a couple of points. Trail emerges onto open rock well below the summit, and is marked by cairns from this point. Views are spectacular. Blue blazed trail continues from summit to junction with AT in 1.7 miles (take this trail if you intend to continue on to Spaulding).