Maine · Hiking

White Cap Summit

White Cap SummitPhoto: Tv.Rule, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)
0.8 mi
round trip
1,149 ft
climb
2,454 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Aug–Oct
best months

White Cap Summit is a moderate out-and-back hike in northern Maine, about 1.3 miles from the town of North Bethel. The route is 1.6 miles long, with a total elevation gain of 1,149 feet, and it reaches a high point of 2,454 feet. The climb is front-loaded, with the steepest stretch at about 0.34 miles from the start, where the grade reaches 36 percent. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Andover put July and August highs around 77°F with lows in the low 50s, though that station sits well below the summit, so temperatures up high run cooler. Winter is harsh, with January highs near 24°F and lows around 3°F. The trip takes about an hour. Summit Ridge Trail lies about 1.2 miles away, and Boundary Brook Trail and Phoenix are each about 1.5 miles off. Climbers can find Bear Cub Cliff Gilead ME roughly 5.7 miles away.

  • Best time to go · Aug–Oct

    Best time to visit White Cap Summit

    Best months: August–October. 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

      24° / 3°

      11 wet

    2. Feb

      28° / 4°

      9 wet

    3. Mar

      37° / 15°

      10 wet

    4. Apr

      50° / 27°

      11 wet

    5. May

      64° / 39°

      14 wet

    6. Jun

      72° / 49°

      14 wet

    7. Jul

      77° / 54°

      13 wet

    8. Aug

      77° / 51°

      11 wet

    9. Sep

      68° / 44°

      10 wet

    10. Oct

      55° / 33°

      12 wet

    11. Nov

      42° / 24°

      12 wet

    12. Dec

      30° / 12°

      13 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Andover 2, ME, 13.5 mi away at 822 ft. The station sits about 1,600 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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Map and trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors