Maine · Cross-country skiing

Appalachian Trail

0.4 mi
round trip
57 ft
climb
588 ft
high point
Out and back
route
May, Aug–Oct
best months

Is Appalachian Trail open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Appalachian National Scenic Trail. It doesn't name Appalachian Trail, so check the source for the area it covers.

As of · Source: NPS · Appalachian National Scenic Trail. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

This is a short, low-elevation stretch of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail in Maine, set within the Appalachian Trail corridor. The route is an out-and-back of about 0.8 miles, with a high point of 588 feet and a total climb of 57 feet. It starts at roughly 579 feet and ends at about the same elevation, so it works as a quick stop or a warm-up before heading on to other trails in the area. Winter is the natural season for cross-country skiing here. Typical averages from the nearby Millinocket weather station show January highs around 24°F with lows near 5°F, while July and August average highs in the upper 70s. That station sits about 230 feet lower than the trail, so temperatures on the trail run a little cooler. Several other routes lie close by. The Abol Stream Trail and Abol Pond Trail are both within a quarter mile, and the Old State Road is a cross-country ski route about 0.2 miles away. The West Branch Penobscot River, about 0.3 miles off, offers river fishing.

  • Best time to go · May, Aug–Oct

    Best time to visit Appalachian Trail

    Best months: May and 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° / 5°

      10 wet

    2. Feb

      26° / 6°

      9 wet

    3. Mar

      36° / 16°

      10 wet

    4. Apr

      50° / 30°

      10 wet

    5. May

      64° / 41°

      12 wet

    6. Jun

      74° / 51°

      13 wet

    7. Jul

      78° / 57°

      13 wet

    8. Aug

      78° / 56°

      11 wet

    9. Sep

      70° / 48°

      11 wet

    10. Oct

      55° / 37°

      12 wet

    11. Nov

      43° / 27°

      11 wet

    12. Dec

      31° / 15°

      11 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Millinocket, ME, 17.9 mi away at 360 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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