Hiking in Maine is full of variety Coastal, inland treks are popular

In spring, there’s every reason to get outdoors. It’s finally stopped raining, the sun is high in the sky, now that it’s out, and there’s 15 hours of daylight. There’s such a quantity of trails all over this state that choosing where to start off the season can be a dilemma.

So many trails, so little time to hike in Maine. Here are a couple of hikes that show the variety of what’s out there to trek. One is a coastal classic, moderately difficult, with ocean views. The other is an inland mountain hike, a little more strenuous, with lake and mountain vistas.

Both are excellent warm-up early-season hikes. Add a strong spring breeze to keep the flies off and you’ve got the makings for a great day hike. One will take a little more than a half day, the other, you can plan on taking most of the day.

Dorr Mountain Acadia National Park

Dorr Mountain is covered with trails, some easier and less steep than others. For a gradual, but a little longer trail, try the Canon Brook Trail, then connect with the A. Murray Young Path up through the gorge between Cadillac and Dorr. To return to the car, either retrace your steps by taking the same route in reverse or continue by climbing to the summit of Dorr, then descending by the South Ridge Trail.

Finding the trailhead: To get to the trailhead, take Maine Rte. 3 south out of Bar Harbor. About four miles from town, The Canon Brook Trail starts about a half-mile south of the south end of The Tarn, a glacial pond beside the road, at the base of Dorr Mountain. The parking lot is on the opposite side of the road, with no sign. If you’ve gone to Otter Creek Road, on the left, turn around, the parking lot is on the right, heading back to Bar Harbor. Cross the road and look for a signpost, marking the start of the trail.

On the trail: The Canon Brook Trail is a connector trail that links lowlands on one side of Dorr Mountain and Cadillac Mountain to the lowlands and ponds on the other. After leaving the trailhead and the road, the trail heads west and soon crosses a small brook, Otter Creek. In about a third of a mile it then intersects with the Tarn Trail. Turn left at this junction and continue on through mixed hardwood forest. After a sharp uphill, in about 6/10ths of a mile, the trail intersects the Dorr Mountain South Ridge Trail, on the right. That’s the trail on the longer return loop. Go past that trail after a short tenth of a mile and the trail intersects with the A. Murray Young Path, also on the right.

Once on the Young Path you ascend gradually over the next 1.2 miles through more forest. As the valley narrows between Cadillac on the left and Dorr Mountain on the right, you start to notice you’ve climbed up into the notch. At this point you can decide if you’re willing to try the summit of Dorr or go back the way you came. To continue to the top, take the Dorr Mountain Notch Trail on the right and ascend steeply for about a third of a mile. After the ascent you arrive at the North Ridge Trail that leads to the actual summit cairn on Dorr Mountain

The views from the top are spectacular. The brilliant, sparkling blue ocean that surrounds the Cranberry Isles creates a captivating scene. The glacially polished granite of the summit makes for a great spot for lunch. Looking west, Cadillac blocks the view of much of the hills of Mount Desert Island. On the east is Champlain Mountain and beyond that, more ocean.

Once your lunch is gone, it’s time for the descent and probably the best part. Gradually hiking down, the trail is smooth granite, making for the best footing. You’re on top of the ridge for most of the distance of 1.2 miles. Directly ahead Cranberry Isles are in the view.

After the descent, the trail connects back to the Canon Brook trail. Turn left to head back to Rte. 3 and the car.

Bigelow Mountain

Although Bigelow Mountain also has a network of trails that makes possible a variety of loops, The Fire Warden’s Trail is a straight up-and-back hike. It’s a long 10.2 miles round trip, so plan on taking all day. The views are some of the best in the state. They’re the reward for a climbing a 4,000-footer.

Finding the trailhead: The trail starts on the Stratton Brook Pond Road. This road is 3.2 miles north of the Sugarloaf access road on Maine Rte. 27. The rough, dirt road is on the right. Follow that road about 11/2 miles to its end where there is a parking area for hikers’ cars. There’s a sign with regulations for using the Bigelow Preserve.

On the trail: Follow a rough road up a small hill and down to a stream crossing of Stratton Brook at the outlet of the pond. The bridge that used to be there washed out. You may find a few vehicles parked there. Once across the stream, continue on a flat walk along the shore of the pond and a great view of Sugarloaf over your shoulder. Soon the trail goes into the forest. The grade is fairly easy after a short steep section over some ledges. In about 11/2 miles, the Horns Pond Trail leaves left. Stay on the Fire Warden’s Trail, which stays gradual, but only for another mile or so.

Then it gets steep and rough. It gains 1,700 vertical feet in the next mile and a half, so it’s seriously steep. Trail crews have been putting in rock steps on this section recently. At the end of the trail you arrive at Bigelow Col, the saddle between West Peak on the left and Avery Peak on the right. It’s a half-mile to Avery Peak, 4,088 feet. The views from the top are amazing. At the base of the mountain, Flagstaff Lake reflects the sky. To the north, more than 150 trail miles away, lies Mountain Katahdin. To the south, North and South Crocker Mountain, Sugarloaf and Mountain Abraham stretch out on the opposite side of Carrabasset Valley.

The trail to the top of this mountain is steep, but only for the top third of its length. If you pace yourself well during the lowland approach, you should be able to pull it off as a great warm up hike. The rewards of a great view only last until it’s time to descend, though. Take a few pictures, then return by taking the Fire Warden’s Trail back down.

Brad Viles is an avid hiker who has logged some 8,000 lifetime miles, including the Appalachian Trail. He can be reached at sball1@ prexar. com