Gulf Hagas

[MikePS]

We are on the way to Baxter in July, Having never been to the "Grand Canyon" of Maine, is it possible to check this out on the way to Millinocket (from MA)? Are there any must do spots, excellent swimming holes etc? Our hope is to do something short on the way up to Baxter. Any tips or advice would be appreciated. p.s. I realize this is not exactly a "top" but heard it was an interesting view or swim.

 

[Pamola]

Gulf Hagas is awesome. There is no lack of swimming holes as you go along the trail to the gorge and it seems that every waterfall/swimming hole is better than the last. When I was there as a kid once I was so into the swimming the river that I decided to float down jaws, the rapid in the gulf. So strap down your kids if you have them once you get there.

It is a decent way off the trail up to BSP, which is pretty much I95 to Medway, but worth a day side trip. It would be a full day too. Not a short side trip. In my opinion though, this is a "top."

 

[peakbagger]

Gulf Hagas is an excellent day hike on the way to Baxter as long as you book an entire day for the trip, preferably with an overnight somewhere before you go into Baxter. Its a bit out of the way and is easily two hours from when you leave Millinocket to when you get to the parking area for the trailhead. The road is privately owned and you have to pay to drive in (I cant remember the price but it struck me as expensive for a day trip.). There really arent any swimming holes once you head into the gulf, the gorge is steep and the current is fast, you do get to wade across the river from the parking area so there are opportunities to get wet.

 

[audrey]

The trail along the rim was rerouted away from the rim at some point and now only provides views at relatively few points. I can understand why they did it, because there was a lot of erosion and it was probably dangerous for the average tourist and kids. I was disappointed when I returned but it is definitely worth a side trip. There are several places for swimming, notably at the end where the trail loops back.

But it isn't the Grand Canyon, not by a long shot.

 

[Mad Townie]

The trail along the rim was rerouted away from the rim at some point and now only provides views at relatively few points. I can understand why they did it, because there was a lot of erosion and it was probably dangerous for the average tourist and kids.

You mean like the father who died there a couple years ago while hiking with his daughter? That kind of risk is no longer allowed at public areas--regulation for the least risk to the least careful (that's a general statement; I'm not talking about that particular person because I wasn't there and didn't see what happened).

But we've had that discussion around here a few times, haven't we?