For those who just need to get out on the road and check out the colors and justify the drive with an easy hike in the middle, Mt Azicohos in Maine is one to check out if you havent done it before. There are some stretches of softwood but the Rangely area has many extended stands of sugar maples and birch which make for some intense colors and the road give long viewpoints. The timing for this is probably in the next week of so.
There are variations on the loop but the majority would pick a starting point in Bethel Maine, then up Rt 26 through Grafton Notch State Park to Errol, then right onto Rt 16 (watch the moose!) to the dam on Lake Aziscohos . A few miles past the dam is the Mt Aziscohos trail head on the right just after a logging clearing. The trail is a walk through the woods then straight up the side of the mountain. On the summit there are 360 views if you are willing to move around a bit. The views are different than most folks are used to for most folks as you are looking south at the Whites and there are great views of the cluster of 4000 footers in Maine plus the "six pack" are near by, great for planning an "assault on the hundred highest.
After getting a fill on the summt, go back down the way you came (the other trail is reportedly obscure), then head towards Rangeley, but take a right onto Rt 17 south to Rumford. This road runs through remote territory but the views and colors are usually excellent. Make sure you stop at the "height of the land" and check out the view of the lakes. The last leg of the trip runs though mostly softwoods, but its still some nice territory (more moose!). if you want to stretch your legs, a stop of Coos canyon is a good stop with some interesting pools and waterfalls. Finally grit your teeth and go through Rumford and get back on Rt 2 west back to Bethel with a stop at Sunday River Brewing and maybe the southern Barbeque to finish off the day. There is alternative to going through Rumford by going through Andover but I will leave that to those who own a Delorme guide.
There are variations on the loop but the majority would pick a starting point in Bethel Maine, then up Rt 26 through Grafton Notch State Park to Errol, then right onto Rt 16 (watch the moose!) to the dam on Lake Aziscohos . A few miles past the dam is the Mt Aziscohos trail head on the right just after a logging clearing. The trail is a walk through the woods then straight up the side of the mountain. On the summit there are 360 views if you are willing to move around a bit. The views are different than most folks are used to for most folks as you are looking south at the Whites and there are great views of the cluster of 4000 footers in Maine plus the "six pack" are near by, great for planning an "assault on the hundred highest.
After getting a fill on the summt, go back down the way you came (the other trail is reportedly obscure), then head towards Rangeley, but take a right onto Rt 17 south to Rumford. This road runs through remote territory but the views and colors are usually excellent. Make sure you stop at the "height of the land" and check out the view of the lakes. The last leg of the trip runs though mostly softwoods, but its still some nice territory (more moose!). if you want to stretch your legs, a stop of Coos canyon is a good stop with some interesting pools and waterfalls. Finally grit your teeth and go through Rumford and get back on Rt 2 west back to Bethel with a stop at Sunday River Brewing and maybe the southern Barbeque to finish off the day. There is alternative to going through Rumford by going through Andover but I will leave that to those who own a Delorme guide.
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