Woodchuck Hill 8/10/2026

Monday's hike up Woodchuck Hill in Clifton was a lot more interesting than I expected such a small peak to be! The Blue & Gold Trail makes a lollipop loop over the hill, starting from Camp Roosevelt on Little Fitts Pond. When camp is in session (it ended for the summer last week), hikers are asked to check in at the camp office and no dogs are allowed in the camp area.

Little Fitts Pond from the boat launch

Snowshoe Pond from the Blue & Gold Trail

We parked in the large lot at the boat launch and started walking through the camp to reach the start of the trail. Upon reaching the trail, we followed it as it rose gently over a low ridge and then descended to Snowshoe Pond. The trail sees basic maintenance, but it is maintained to the standard of a backcountry trail, so some blowdowns remain uncut and there is brush overhanging the trail in places. However, it is very well marked and I enjoy lesser used trails such as this one! At Snowshoe Pond, the trail passes near some interesting ledges on the shore, which are a nice spot for a break. We then passed a large glacial erratic next to the pond, before reaching the Bangor Water Works Road (no public motorized access).

Glacial erratic near Snowshoe Pond

Sampson in the cave

After spotting where the trail continued on the other side of the road, it wasn't long before the short, but very steep, ascent up Woodchuck Hill began, which I found to be the best part of the trail. The trail passed a shallow, but spacious caves and then started switchbacking its way up steep ledges. One of these ledges required two wooden ladders to ascend. This section of trail also had views back across Snowshoe Pond towards Blackcap.

The first ladder

View across Snowshoe Pond towards Blackcap

The wooded summit didn't have any views at its very peak, but we found a few viewpoints by poking around a little bit below the peak. One viewpoint a bit off of the trail offered views of the mountains on Mount Desert Island in the distance. Another, this one just off of the trail and where we had lunch, offered views past the wind turbines on Pisgah Mountain to the hills in Donnell Pond Public Land.

View across Burnt Pond towards Mount Desert Island

View towards Pisgah Mountain and Donnell Pond Public Land

After the summit and viewpoints, the other side of the loop descended much more gently than the side that we ascended on. We reached Bangor Water Works Road and closed the loop by following it back to the initial trail crossing. After hiking back to near the camp, we opted to take the Red Trail, which made a long arc to the north, skirting around the camp area. Although the Red Trail wasn't particularly interesting, it was a nice alternative to walking the camp roads. Woodchuck Hill turned out to be an enjoyable under-the-radar hike, and I look forward to returning at some point to hike Blackcap!

Descending past a ledge

Sampson went for a swim in Snowshoe Pond

AllTrails Activity

Albany Mountain 7/24/2026

On Friday, we hiked Albany Mountain in the White Mountain National Forest from the north. As usual, the trail was in excellent condition, and the beaver dam was no issue to cross.

The beaver dam crossing

Sampson at the upper trail junction

The first viewpoint looking west

It seems that this year is a bad year for mountain blueberries, due to last year's drought, and we only found a few on our hike. However, the views were excellent, and we were surprised that we only saw two other groups out on what is usually a pretty busy trail.

The summit of Albany Mountain

The view southwest at the viewpoint past the summit

The view south at the viewpoint past the summit

After the hike, we headed to Broken Bridge Pond, where we set up camp at one of my favorite dispersed sites in the National Forest. It was a great peaceful night at the campsite, and it was perfect sleeping weather!

Broken Bridge Pond

Sampson swimming in the pond

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Vining Lake Overnight 5/30–5/31/26

Over the weekend, we headed Downeast for some hiking and a short backpacking trip at Vining Lake Community Preserve in Cooper. 

On the way, we stopped at the short trail to Patrick Lake in Rocky Lake Public Land. At only about a quarter mile in length, this blue-blazed trail leads to a picnic area and a beautiful beach on the south shore of Patrick Lake. Sampson visited with another dog on the beach for a bit, before we headed back to the car.

Trail to Patrick Lake

Beach on Patrick Lake

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After arriving at the trailhead for Vining Lake, we were glad to see no other cars in the parking lot. We loaded up our packs and started the short hike in to the campsite near the outlet of the pond. Upon arriving, we found it unoccupied, so we set up camp. It was a beautiful spot on a point with great views across the pond. After setting up camp, we hiked the trails leading around the lake. The well-constructed loop trail is a mix of discontinued logging roads and narrower footpaths with some nice boardwalks and bog bridging. After the hike, we enjoyed an evening by the fire before heading to bed a bit early.

At our campsite on Vining Lake

Vining Lake from our campsite

On the trail around the lake

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We awoke to a beautiful, but chilly, morning. We broke camp, ate breakfast, and headed back to the car. Our first stop of the day was at Beaverdam Stream Preserve in Wesley. There, we went on a nice short hike through the forest along the stream. The lollipop loop doesn't seem to see very much traffic, but it is seemingly well marked and maintained as it passes through mature forest.

Beaverdam Stream Preserve trailhead

Beaverdam Stream Preserve

Beaverdam Stream Preserve

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Then, we headed over to Lead Mountain in T 28 MD. The road in was a bit rough, but totally doable with mid-clearance. The hike up on the jeep trail passed the old fire watchmans' cabin on the way to the summit where the former fire tower has been replaced by a cell tower. The fire tower footings remain, along with the fire tower itself, now toppled onto its side in the forest. On the south side of the summit, a short trail leads to a rocky outcropping with the base of another tower still standing; this spot is where we ate lunch. Although there wasn't much in the way of views, it was still a good hike with interesting historical sites on the mountain. 

Collapsed fire watchmans' cabin on Lead Mountain

Old telephone wire insulator along the trail

NGS marker on the summit

Old fire tower footing

Base of an old tower near the summit

Toppled fire tower in the woods at the summit

AllTrails Activity

Oversett Mountain 4/24/2026

 Although it is a rather popular hike, today we had the trails on and around Oversett Mountain completely to ourselves! Located within the Crooked River Headwaters Conservation Easement in Greenwood, this trail network consists of very well marked and maintained trails along the Sanborn River, around Oversett Pond, and up Oversett Mountain.

Sanborn River Trail

Sanborn River

Oversett Pond 

We did today's hike as a figure-eight; starting by going clockwise on the Sanborn River Loop, taking the connector to the pond, going counterclockwise around the pond and over the mountain, and then finishing by connecting back to the Sanborn River Loop. 

Sampson at the top

View northwest

The trails were in great shape (I think there was only one blowdown the whole way!) and mud was minimal. We only saw one small patch of snow near the pond. It was great weather for hiking and there were beautiful views from the summit!

Oversett Pond

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