BillDC
New member
I was up Whitecap last year via the White Brook trail, but wanted to try the AT -> North trail loop this year. This hike consisted of an ascent via the AT going southbound, over the summit, down via the North Trail, and a road walk back to the AT trailhead. This hike turned out to be a nice loop of just under 10 miles.
To access the AT trailhead for Whitecap, we took the Lily Bay road out of Greenville to the Frenchtown road. We followed the Frenchtown road for about 13.5 miles (bearing right at about 12.5) until you reach the yellow Plum Creek gate. We parked outside the gate and walked to the trailhead which leaves shortly up on the right side. The trail was in good shape with the typical late spring leaf-covered path with really only 1 blow-down. Arrived at Logan Brook Lean-To and checked out the log book. There were a few entries about heavy snow (3+ feet) just a week or so earlier.
Checked out the falls where there were some small patches of snow still present, and headed up. Several nice areas of stonework were noted along this stretch. Above tree-line, there were great views as we walked the rocky path to the summit. Nice views of Katahdin which still had notable snow in some areas. The summit was about the same as last year. The AT summit marker sign still needs replacement, but is still barely readable. In the rocks a bit off the summit there were 2 car mirrors that looked to be very recent. Interesting artifacts.
A pile of rocks with the summit sign marks the area where the former fire tower stood. The tower was removed in 1993 and a portion of the tower foot can still be seen in the pile. Hidden in the center of the summit shielded among the trees continues to be a commericial radio site for the North Maine Woods, Penobscot Indian Nation, and a few other users. You can get views of the other side of the mountain by a trail that goes by the radio site.
Following the AT SB, just out of the summit was a long stretch of 6-8 inches of snow on the trail. We continued to follow the AT down, passing the old watchman's trail which comes in on the left and through a few wet sections until it made a hard left working toward the White Brook trail junction. Just before the turn, a small clearing marks the site of the first watchman's camp on the mountain. At this point, instead of bearing left, we went straight just through a small opening to another trail that goes right and down the north side of Whitecap. This used to be the old AT route before it was rerouted to it's current location.
The route is rough at first, but is flagged. Once you traverse some heavy blowdowns, it opens up and is easily followed. This route continues through the site of the 3rd and last watchman's camp site. The old foundation of the camp is still here, and on the right is the old root cellar, which is largely still intact. The trail continues following the approximate path of the old West Branch Pond side trail. It is not immediately obvious where the old AT route broke off and headed east. We passed a recently deceased bull moose and got wondering just how often these guys die in the woods unseen. It is likely more often than you would think. As the trail descends, there are some good views of West Branch Pond and a point where you can see the camp complex (our supper destination for the evening). Once the trail levels out, a logging road is visible on the left.
You enter the road here where it dead ends and where we began our road walk. We followed this road to the end and hung a right for about another mile where it comes back out on the Frenchtown road (take a right). From here it is about 1.1 miles back to our parking area. This was a nice hike as we were able to make a loop out of it and it follows the north trail which I haven't been on before. Not sure who opened it up or maintains it, but if anyone has any info on it, I'd appreciate you chime in. I thought I may have seen something about this route on the MATC web site, but I am not sure.
Overall, the AT was in fine shape. The only questionable section was the upper half of the north trail, due to blowdowns, but it was certainly visible due to flagging. The black flies and mosquitoes were real bad. Used headnets, hats, and Ben's 100% to survive this hike. The summit was breezy so we got a slight break from the mayhem. Some photos can be found here -
https://picasaweb.google.com/BillDC3/WhiteCapMountainME5312011?feat=directlink
Bill
To access the AT trailhead for Whitecap, we took the Lily Bay road out of Greenville to the Frenchtown road. We followed the Frenchtown road for about 13.5 miles (bearing right at about 12.5) until you reach the yellow Plum Creek gate. We parked outside the gate and walked to the trailhead which leaves shortly up on the right side. The trail was in good shape with the typical late spring leaf-covered path with really only 1 blow-down. Arrived at Logan Brook Lean-To and checked out the log book. There were a few entries about heavy snow (3+ feet) just a week or so earlier.
Checked out the falls where there were some small patches of snow still present, and headed up. Several nice areas of stonework were noted along this stretch. Above tree-line, there were great views as we walked the rocky path to the summit. Nice views of Katahdin which still had notable snow in some areas. The summit was about the same as last year. The AT summit marker sign still needs replacement, but is still barely readable. In the rocks a bit off the summit there were 2 car mirrors that looked to be very recent. Interesting artifacts.
A pile of rocks with the summit sign marks the area where the former fire tower stood. The tower was removed in 1993 and a portion of the tower foot can still be seen in the pile. Hidden in the center of the summit shielded among the trees continues to be a commericial radio site for the North Maine Woods, Penobscot Indian Nation, and a few other users. You can get views of the other side of the mountain by a trail that goes by the radio site.
Following the AT SB, just out of the summit was a long stretch of 6-8 inches of snow on the trail. We continued to follow the AT down, passing the old watchman's trail which comes in on the left and through a few wet sections until it made a hard left working toward the White Brook trail junction. Just before the turn, a small clearing marks the site of the first watchman's camp on the mountain. At this point, instead of bearing left, we went straight just through a small opening to another trail that goes right and down the north side of Whitecap. This used to be the old AT route before it was rerouted to it's current location.
The route is rough at first, but is flagged. Once you traverse some heavy blowdowns, it opens up and is easily followed. This route continues through the site of the 3rd and last watchman's camp site. The old foundation of the camp is still here, and on the right is the old root cellar, which is largely still intact. The trail continues following the approximate path of the old West Branch Pond side trail. It is not immediately obvious where the old AT route broke off and headed east. We passed a recently deceased bull moose and got wondering just how often these guys die in the woods unseen. It is likely more often than you would think. As the trail descends, there are some good views of West Branch Pond and a point where you can see the camp complex (our supper destination for the evening). Once the trail levels out, a logging road is visible on the left.
You enter the road here where it dead ends and where we began our road walk. We followed this road to the end and hung a right for about another mile where it comes back out on the Frenchtown road (take a right). From here it is about 1.1 miles back to our parking area. This was a nice hike as we were able to make a loop out of it and it follows the north trail which I haven't been on before. Not sure who opened it up or maintains it, but if anyone has any info on it, I'd appreciate you chime in. I thought I may have seen something about this route on the MATC web site, but I am not sure.
Overall, the AT was in fine shape. The only questionable section was the upper half of the north trail, due to blowdowns, but it was certainly visible due to flagging. The black flies and mosquitoes were real bad. Used headnets, hats, and Ben's 100% to survive this hike. The summit was breezy so we got a slight break from the mayhem. Some photos can be found here -
https://picasaweb.google.com/BillDC3/WhiteCapMountainME5312011?feat=directlink
Bill
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