Maine · Hiking

First West Branch

0.9 mi
one way
58 ft
climb
1,535 ft
high point
Point to point
route
Sep
best months

First West Branch is a short, easy hike in Maine's Roaches CE, a land unit managed by a non-governmental organization. The route is a point-to-point walk of about 0.9 miles, with a low point of 1,465 feet and a high of 1,535 feet. The climb is gentle, with a total gain of 58 feet and a steepest stretch of about 4% at roughly 0.6 miles in. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station run to highs around 75°F in July, with September still near 66°F. That station sits well below the trail, so temperatures on the Roaches run cooler. The hike pairs easily with other outings. The First West Branch Cutoff and the Hedgehog Mountain Trail both start within about a tenth of a mile. Frenchtown Road and the Pleasant River Trail are a little farther out, each under a mile and a half away.

Local outfitters

Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.

  • Best time to go · Sep

    Best time to visit First West Branch

    Best months: September. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      23° / 5°

      13 wet

    2. Feb

      25° / 7°

      12 wet

    3. Mar

      34° / 17°

      13 wet

    4. Apr

      46° / 29°

      13 wet

    5. May

      62° / 41°

      14 wet

    6. Jun

      70° / 51°

      14 wet

    7. Jul

      75° / 57°

      15 wet

    8. Aug

      74° / 56°

      13 wet

    9. Sep

      66° / 48°

      11 wet

    10. Oct

      52° / 37°

      13 wet

    11. Nov

      39° / 26°

      14 wet

    12. Dec

      28° / 15°

      16 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Greenville Maine Forestry Svc, ME, 16.7 mi away at 1,037 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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