Down East Sunrise Trail

The Down East Sunrise Trail is a cross-country ski route in Maine, about a mile from the town of West Franklin. It is an out-and-back with a total length of about 13 miles, and the round trip involves a total climb of about 457 feet, with the steepest stretch at about 2.2 miles in, where the grade reaches about 5%. The trail starts and ends at roughly 45 feet, and the high point is about 152 feet. That makes it a low-lying route, and the climb is gentle enough that it works well as a ski outing rather than a serious climb. Winter is the natural season for this trail. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in E Surry, Maine, show January highs around 30°F with lows near 11°F, while February runs about 32°F by day and 12°F at night. Summer is much milder, with July and August highs around 77°F and lows in the mid-50s. Several other trails lie within a few miles. The Old Pond Railway Trail is about 5 miles away, and the East Trail, South Trail and Schoodic Mountain Trail are each within about 5.5 miles.