Maine · Cross-country skiing

Foss and Knowlton Trail

2.3 mi
round trip
2,527 ft
climb
965 ft
high point
Out and back
route
May, Aug–Oct
best months

Is Foss and Knowlton Trail open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Appalachian National Scenic Trail. It doesn't name Foss and Knowlton 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.

The Foss and Knowlton Trail is a cross-country skiing route in northern Maine, set within the Appalachian National Scenic Trail corridor. The trail is an out-and-back of about 4.6 miles, with a one-way climb of about 411 feet from a starting point near 593 feet to a high point of about 965 feet. The steepest stretch comes at about 1.5 miles in, with a grade of about 11 percent. Winter is the natural season for skiing here. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Millinocket show January highs around 24°F with lows near 5°F, and the station sits well below the trail, so temperatures on the higher ground run cooler. The Appalachian Trail passes within about a tenth of a mile, and the West Branch Penobscot River and Blueberry Ledges Trail are each about 0.2 miles away. Katahdin, a climbing area, lies about 5 miles off.

  • Best time to go · May, Aug–Oct

    Best time to visit Foss and Knowlton 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, 18.2 mi away at 360 ft. The station sits about 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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