BillDC
New member
Kineo is located on a small peninsula that jets out into the middle of Moosehead Lake from the east. This hike is most often approached by boat by taking a shuttle from Rockwood on the west side of Moosehead Lake. Instead, we approached it from land using roads on the east side of Moosehead Lake.
Leaving Greenville, we took the Lily Bay road up the east side of Moosehead Lake, through the village of Kokadjo and bearing left onto Sias Hill road. Followed until we reached a left at the Spencer Pond Camps sign. From here, we went about 7.2 mi to the Spencer Pond Camps entrance where we went straight. At around 8.3 mi we crossed the bridge at Spencer Pond. Continuing on until 13.9 mi where you fork left. At around 15.4 mi, we came to a right that takes you into Maine Public Reserve Land at Days Academy Grant. This is the road to the Little Kineo Mountain trailhead. We went straight for a bit longer and forked right at the next junction. The left here goes to the campground/boat launch at Cowan Cove. After the right fork, take the road until you reach the end where it is blocked with large rocks. We parked here.
We started the hike on this road just beyond the rocks. We walked the road to the peninsula and walked over the tiny piece of land that connects Kineo Township to the mainland. Once in Kineo Township, the road (called Route No. 66 on trail maps) climbs a bit and you start to see some private summer homes on both sides of the road. We continued on the road until we reached the Kineo Golf Course. We walked across the fairway (course closed at that time) over to the beginning of the perimeter road or Carriage trail by the docks. This is the spot you would land if you took the Rockwood Ferry.
We walked the Carriage Trail around the mountain until we reached the Indian Trail. We started up the mountain here. The trail hugs the edge looking out over the water for a good majority of the way up. There were great views along the way. After some ledges, the trail heads to the interior, passing the Bridle trail on it's way to the summit. Once at the summit, the old fire tower still stands. This tower was converted to a observation platform in 1993 and provides excellent paromamic views of Moosehead Lake and the area. We took in views on a very clear day. You can literally see both ends of Moosehead Lake from this perch.
On the way down, just below the summit, we took a dim trail to the left marked with a pile of logs in the beginning of it. This trail goes to the site of the first watchman's camp. Even today, portions of the walls and other artifacts can still be found here. The trail continues to some very sunny ledges on the east face of Kineo. We ate lunch here taking in great views along with the snakes and ants! On the descent, we headed down the Bridle trail (was the former wardens trail) and at the bottom, ran into the the site of the 3rd watchman's camp. The camp is privately owned and fully intact. The site of the 2nd watchman's camp is on the backside of one of the golf fairways.
The bridle trial ends at the Carriage trail, so we walked back to the golf course. From here we explored some of the old buildings from days gone past and then walked out the way we came. All trails were in great shape, very few obstructions and wet areas. Overall, a great day of exploring and views from the top.
Some photos of this trip can be found here -
http://picasaweb.google.com/BillDC3/MountKineoME5272010?feat=directlink
Bill
Leaving Greenville, we took the Lily Bay road up the east side of Moosehead Lake, through the village of Kokadjo and bearing left onto Sias Hill road. Followed until we reached a left at the Spencer Pond Camps sign. From here, we went about 7.2 mi to the Spencer Pond Camps entrance where we went straight. At around 8.3 mi we crossed the bridge at Spencer Pond. Continuing on until 13.9 mi where you fork left. At around 15.4 mi, we came to a right that takes you into Maine Public Reserve Land at Days Academy Grant. This is the road to the Little Kineo Mountain trailhead. We went straight for a bit longer and forked right at the next junction. The left here goes to the campground/boat launch at Cowan Cove. After the right fork, take the road until you reach the end where it is blocked with large rocks. We parked here.
We started the hike on this road just beyond the rocks. We walked the road to the peninsula and walked over the tiny piece of land that connects Kineo Township to the mainland. Once in Kineo Township, the road (called Route No. 66 on trail maps) climbs a bit and you start to see some private summer homes on both sides of the road. We continued on the road until we reached the Kineo Golf Course. We walked across the fairway (course closed at that time) over to the beginning of the perimeter road or Carriage trail by the docks. This is the spot you would land if you took the Rockwood Ferry.
We walked the Carriage Trail around the mountain until we reached the Indian Trail. We started up the mountain here. The trail hugs the edge looking out over the water for a good majority of the way up. There were great views along the way. After some ledges, the trail heads to the interior, passing the Bridle trail on it's way to the summit. Once at the summit, the old fire tower still stands. This tower was converted to a observation platform in 1993 and provides excellent paromamic views of Moosehead Lake and the area. We took in views on a very clear day. You can literally see both ends of Moosehead Lake from this perch.
On the way down, just below the summit, we took a dim trail to the left marked with a pile of logs in the beginning of it. This trail goes to the site of the first watchman's camp. Even today, portions of the walls and other artifacts can still be found here. The trail continues to some very sunny ledges on the east face of Kineo. We ate lunch here taking in great views along with the snakes and ants! On the descent, we headed down the Bridle trail (was the former wardens trail) and at the bottom, ran into the the site of the 3rd watchman's camp. The camp is privately owned and fully intact. The site of the 2nd watchman's camp is on the backside of one of the golf fairways.
The bridle trial ends at the Carriage trail, so we walked back to the golf course. From here we explored some of the old buildings from days gone past and then walked out the way we came. All trails were in great shape, very few obstructions and wet areas. Overall, a great day of exploring and views from the top.
Some photos of this trip can be found here -
http://picasaweb.google.com/BillDC3/MountKineoME5272010?feat=directlink
Bill
