Hiking Mount Abraham

It was great to get back on the trails and to bag another 4000 footer in New England. On Sunday, my friend Sue and I hiked Mount Abraham, in Maine.  Due to a forecast for rain and thunderstorms on Saturday, we used this as a travel day, spending the night at the Herbert Grand Hotel in Kingfield, Maine, a three-story historic inn which provided comfortable rooms at a reasonable price. Unfortunately the restaurant was closed due to renovations and the entire town lost power at night due to the storm. However, that just forced us to go to sleep early and to be rested for the hike the next day. When we awoke Sunday morning, the sun was out and it looked like it was going to be a perfect hiking day.

Herbert Grand Hotel, Kingfield Maine

Before hitting the trail, we enjoyed a hearty breakfast at the Kingfield Woodsman restaurant. The service was fast and the food was good. We both had eggs to fuel us for the trail, and I couldn't pass up the fresh cut home fries. The trailhead, at the end of Rapid Stream Road, was only a few miles from the restaurant. The gravel road to get there could have been in better shape, but we were just happy that the two bridges over the rivers looked like they had been recently repaired so that crossing them was not a problem.

A trail map is not really needed, as there is only one trail to the summit - the Fire Warden's trail. The sign read 4.0 miles, but the Maine Mountain Guide describes at as 4.5 miles one-way. So, we either did 8 or 9 miles round trip. The first half of the hike is relatively flat and easy. There were also several stream crossings, which is one of my least favorite thing to do when hiking. Some would have been difficult in high water, and to be safe, I brought a pair of sandals to change into, but today the crossings were relatively easy and I kept my boots on.

One of many stream crossings.

Over half of the trail was in the woods, and being August, there were lots of fungi to admire.

Above: Artist's Conk (Ganoderma applanatum)

The Artist's Conk is so named because the underside can be used for drawing by using a sharp implement and exposing the permanent brown color underneath.

One of the many types of fungi growing on dead logs - possibly Oyster mushrooms

Orange Mycena

Indian pipe

Reindeer lichen are one of the many types of vegetation which can survive in the open alpine zones

God is an artist that uses nature as His pallet. The patterns in this rock lichen and the Turkey Tails fungus below are unique and beautiful.

Turkey tails with what looks like Bear's Head Tooth (Hericium coralloides)

Small puffball mushrooms, having released their spores (Lycopedon pyriforme)

As we approached the exposed rocks, we finally found something that we could eat without question. The mountain was filled with perfectly ripe blueberries. If it wasn't so cold and windy, I would have stopped and enjoyed more.

Wild Maine Blueberries in Alpine Zone on Mount Abraham

There were other blue berries in the woods, but the blue bead lily (Clinton borealis) below is toxic to humans. They are named for the late summer berry and not the flower which is yellow.

Blue Bead Lily

The clouds that were following us started to clear as we approached the summit. The sun was welcome as the gale-force winds caused the temperature to drop dramatically.

View looking down the Fire Warden Trail

All that remains of the fire tower atop Mount Abraham

Mount Abraham has one of the largest exposed summits in Maine, so one needs to be prepared for all types of conditions.  A couple hikers were only wearing shorts, a serious mistake when hiking any high elevation mountain. As tempting as it is to remove items from your pack when it is warm at the base of the mountain, a hat, gloves and windbreaker are minimum necessities. I was glad that I had several layers to put on once we got above tree-line. We did not stay long, quickly eating our lunch behind a small constructed stone wall. There actually was an shelter on the summit (see below) which is built into the ground for greater protection. During inclement weather I could see where it could be a life-saver. I'm sure it gets used, but it was not very inviting as there was trash scattered about from previous occupants. It is sad to see this when out in the pristine wilderness.

From the minute beauty of the flora, to the vistas from the mountain top, I was reminded why I love hiking in New England. We have only four more peaks to climb to complete the New England 4000 footer list. Three of those are in Baxter State Park, so the most difficult are yet to come.