Boundry and its neighbors in two days.

[Paradox]

Does anybody have any thoughts or experience on getting all five of the Northwestern Maine boarder mountains done in two days of hiking? That would be: Boundry, White Cap, Kennebago Divide, and both Snow's. I know folks like Artex and Giggy could do it in an afternoon, but I am mortal.

I am thinking CoP snow in the morning and Boundry and Cup Snow in the afternoon/evening then Kennebago/WC the next day.

 

[Kevin Rooney]

To do it in 2 days might be a bit tough, especially if you're not camping out in the boonies, as the drive in/out typically can add nearly 2 hours each way if you're staying in Stratton.

Having said that - most mortals do White Cap and Kennebago Divide in a day. If you were camped nearby, got an early start and back in time you could add Cupsuptic Snow - it's only about 3 hours RT - but add some time to make it up the hill in your vehicle. While the distance between the two trailheads is comparatively short, IIRC, it's still about 30 minutes. I'd do White Cap and North Peak of Kennebago Divide first that day though to give a margin of safety. Days are getting shorter.

Then, if you didn't get Cupsuptic Snow on day 1, you could combine it with Boundary, particularly if you choose the route referenced here on day two. That would leave Chain of Ponds Snow - hmm. Not a tough hike, but there's a bit of driving between the two.

 

[Stan]

You may be able to bag Boundary, White Cap (which were traditionally done together by many hikers) and W. Kennebago Divide in one long hike, especially if you camp nearby and if your navigation is good. Returning to camp you can probably bag C. Snow early the next morning and drive to CofP Snow where there is a pretty clear trail all the way and a late day wouldn't be a disaster.

Personally, I'd spend more time there and enjoy the area. There's an old recovering gravel pit at one of the sharp turns of Wiggle Brook Road that would make a good campsite. There was also one on the Kenebago River (had a picnic table and a fireplace ... not just a fire ring ... last time we were there about three years ago before G 6.0?) right after the turn off "Canada Road" but I believe the bridge is still out and it would add time to go around.

 

[bobandgeri]

Does anybody have any thoughts or experience on getting all five of the Northwestern Maine boarder mountains done in two days of hiking? That would be: Boundry, White Cap, Kennebago Divide, and both Snow's.

Don't forget about East Kenebago!


We have trip reports and directions/gps routes for the logging roads that you may find useful in your planning located on our Hiking Page & Trip Reports link on our Home Page.

As Stan stated - plan on spending more time to get them all. We did Boundry with Papa Bear and Cantdog as a seperate weekend where we included Gosford Mtn with it on day one, then did Boundry Bald and Coburn as two seperate hikes on day 2.

Whitecap & Kennabago Divide are done together as a hike - very nearby is Cusuptic Snow (we did it from the other side however) so you could do all 3 in one day.

COP Snow is a bood one to mix with a trip weekend where you do the Crockers and/orRedington, especially if you stay at Cathederal Pines campground.

 

[Eric Savage]

You may be able to bag Boundary, White Cap (which were traditionally done together by many hikers) and W. Kennebago Divide in one long hike, especially if you camp nearby and if your navigation is good. Returning to camp you can probably bag C. Snow early the next morning and drive to CofP Snow where there is a pretty clear trail all the way and a late day wouldn't be a disaster.

We did all three (KD, WC, Boundary) in a day from basecamp at Cathedral Pines without much trouble, but it did mean getting up early (we left the campground at 7am) and we descended from the border swath via logging roads on the Canadian side, which might require a passport these days.
Heading for the border swath from White Cap, stay away from the ridge connecting WC with the little peak on the border (with a border monument on it). The extra down and up is better than the thick stuff up there - and there are some old skidder roads to help you back up.
Getting both Snows in a day would be challenging but you could definitely increase your odds by not having to drive back in again to get Cupsuptic Snow.

 

[spencer]

Dont' forget you can do CoP Snow from the west on Canada Rd. (via Big Island Pond) and then just head south on Canada Rd. to set up camp for a whack the next day.


I give it 2.25 days.

think outside the box.

spencer

 

[Paradox]

Dont' forget you can do CoP Snow from the west
spencer

I was wondering about that, thank you!

 

[Paradox]

Canada Road Barriers

I just bought a brand-spankin'-new 2006 DeLorme Maine Atlas. I noticed that Canada Road has two "gate-locked" symbols across it, that could restrict driving to a jump-off for a West-side climb of CofP Snow. One is about 3 miles north of Little Kennebago Lake and the next is another 3 miles further north. Does anyone know the status of these gates, can I get an SUV by them sans gunfire.

Thanks,
Paradox

 

[onestep]

I was up in Coburn Gore last weekend asking about access to the Canada Rd from the north. I was told that the northern gate, which is located a 1/10 of a mile from Rt 27, is locked closed on the weekend but it's open Monday thru Friday from 5:30 AM to 5:30 PM.

I then asked about the "south gate" and was told that it is kept locked and is not manned. (there is a gate house at the N gate)

I was full of questions that day so I then asked if it was o.k. to ride my Mountain Bike past the locked gate. NO! was the answer!! "you can walk the road, but no bicycles allowed".

Onestep

 

[Paradox]

Thank you onestep,
I got another one. Is the border road open into Canada in the Cupsuptic Pond area? There is a barrier there also in the New DeLorme Atlas with no Customs symbol.

 

[onestep]

Thank you onestep,
I got another one. Is the border road open into Canada in the Cupsuptic Pond area?

I was up there last month. You can only dirve as far as Cupsuptic Pond. The road past that point is overgrown.

Onestep

 

[Stan]

Dont' forget you can do CoP Snow from the west on Canada Rd. (via Big Island Pond) and then just head south on Canada Rd. to set up camp for a whack the next day.

In the past you needed permission from the rather exclusive camps to approach this from the west. If that hasn't changed it can be a bit of a hassle. When I inquired I received a very pleasant and informative response but it was so restrictive as to when to go in and out and all that I canned the idea ... after all, this isn't exactly Baxter Park you're getting into.