BillDC
New member
Green Mountain is in the North Maine Woods, so there are only so many roads that you can take to get into this one. Took the 20 mile road out of Rockwood and headed north. Passed the old site of the 20 mile gate (moved in July 2009), where most of the former buildings are still standing. Passed Pittston Farm and eventually arrived at the new location of the 20 mile gate, about 4 miles north of its old location. Gate fees are now $8 per person for ME residents and $11 per person for out of state residents. Past the gate, take the Boundary road to the Old boundary road to a driveway that is clearly marked with a green "Green Mtn" sign. The driveway goes up about .1 to a clearing where the former watchman's camp used to be (now removed). The driveway can be managed with something with a little clearance. We parked at the bottom of the driveway. From the tollgate, its about 8.8 mi to the driveway.
The trail starts at the top and end of the driveway and is marked by an orange sign. The owners of Pittston Farm attempt to maintain this trail, though the start of the trail is difficult to see initially. The trail was flagged in 2007 and again last year, so once in the woods, it can be followed with care. Additionally, there are blue blazes marking the trail, but they are not consistently located. The trail at this point in time is in fair shape. It passes through mostly open woods and does not see alot of sunshine, so it is not grossly overgrown. There is one logged area from 2007 that is largely grown up but the trail negotiates the area without an issue. There are some sharp turns that are flagged. Just below the summit, you reach a small building which served as the lightning shack for the fire lookout. The lookout would use this shack as a temporary shelter when a thunderstorm came. He would quickly run down to this shack and wait out the storm. Another .1 up the trail you arrive at a largely socked in summit with no views. The 48 foot fire tower still stands and still has an intact, but beat up cab. From the top, there are good views in all directions. The cab is beat up and may not last if not secured. The roof hatch has been missing for years and many of the windows are broken out.
We took in some views and returned to the truck. On the way out, we stopped at Pittston Farm for dinner and was rewarded with some fine home cooking! I have been here multiple times and it is always a pleasure to eat and chat with the locals. I would recommend this to any hungry individual in the area, including ATVers as they are now ATV accessible.
This trail goes to the West peak of Green Mountain. I'd be interested to hear from anyone that may have whacked up to the East peak. It's on my list to hit one these days.
Some photos can be found here -
http://picasaweb.google.com/BillDC3/GreenMountainME5262010?feat=directlink
Bill
The trail starts at the top and end of the driveway and is marked by an orange sign. The owners of Pittston Farm attempt to maintain this trail, though the start of the trail is difficult to see initially. The trail was flagged in 2007 and again last year, so once in the woods, it can be followed with care. Additionally, there are blue blazes marking the trail, but they are not consistently located. The trail at this point in time is in fair shape. It passes through mostly open woods and does not see alot of sunshine, so it is not grossly overgrown. There is one logged area from 2007 that is largely grown up but the trail negotiates the area without an issue. There are some sharp turns that are flagged. Just below the summit, you reach a small building which served as the lightning shack for the fire lookout. The lookout would use this shack as a temporary shelter when a thunderstorm came. He would quickly run down to this shack and wait out the storm. Another .1 up the trail you arrive at a largely socked in summit with no views. The 48 foot fire tower still stands and still has an intact, but beat up cab. From the top, there are good views in all directions. The cab is beat up and may not last if not secured. The roof hatch has been missing for years and many of the windows are broken out.
We took in some views and returned to the truck. On the way out, we stopped at Pittston Farm for dinner and was rewarded with some fine home cooking! I have been here multiple times and it is always a pleasure to eat and chat with the locals. I would recommend this to any hungry individual in the area, including ATVers as they are now ATV accessible.
This trail goes to the West peak of Green Mountain. I'd be interested to hear from anyone that may have whacked up to the East peak. It's on my list to hit one these days.
Some photos can be found here -
http://picasaweb.google.com/BillDC3/GreenMountainME5262010?feat=directlink
Bill
