In the middle of Maine’s 100 mile wilderness on the Appalachian Trail is White Cap Mountain, the highest peak in the Moosehead Lake region. You’ll drive on some sketchy dirt roads to get to the trail head and it’s 7.7 mile there-and-back hike with about 2,700 feet of elevation gain, but you’ll be rewarded to one of the finest views in Maine at the summit of Whitecap Mountain.
Finding the Trail Head
Directions: From the blinking light in the center of Greenville travel north 17.2 miles on Lily Bay Road and turn right onto the Frenchtown Road. Continue down Frenchtown Road without turning off any side roads, following the signs beyond West Branch Pond Camps. At 31.1 miles you will arrive at a gate and small parking area. The trailhead is 1/4 mile beyond the gate.
The White Cap Mountain Trail
[sgpx gpx=”/wp-content/uploads/gpx/Whitecap Mountain (AT).gpx”]
After parking at the gate and walking the 1/4 mile to the Appalachian Trail intersection, take a right into the woods towards Whitecap Mountain.
The first part of the trail consists of a well established dirt path through the woods without any obstacles and gradual elevation change.
At 1.35 miles, there’s a clearing where some AT hikers were camping on the day I did the hike. At 2 miles there’s a lean-to near a brook. You’ll take a sharp left here and the elevation soon picks up considerably for the next 1.4 miles to the summit.
The last mile to the summit gets really steep. There are rock steps to help you as you climb. Almost there …
-
Up & up … -
Last climb to the peak …
After 3.4 miles, you can see the peak as the trail turns into rocks and you begin to break through the tree line. Just a bit further and you’re there. A summit sign marks the summit, beat up from the elements throughout the year.
Spend some time and walk a loop around the summit to get views in every direction. On the day I went, August 25th, 2018, it was really overcast, as you can see, because of the smoke from the wild fires way out in California. I’ll have to come back on a clear day, although weather at the top of mountains is usually unpredictable!
From the large open summit, in front of you looking east is Spruce Mountain and Shanty Mountain. To the north-east you can see Mount Katahdin on a clear day, as well as First, Second and Third West Branch ponds.
To the south-west is Hay Mountain, which you can reach if you continue on the Appalachian Trail. Beyond that is Baker Mountain and the many mountains around Moosehead Lake. When you’re done taking in the views, return the way you came. The descent is MUCH easier!
Where To Stay
Whitecap Mountain is a haul from just about anywhere, so you might want to stay in the area. One option would be to stay at West Branch Pond Camps. This would put you REALLY close to the beginning of the trail up Whitecap Mountain and the rustic cabins look really nice. They offer full board or you can make your own meals if you prefer.
AMC’s Medawisla Lodge & Cabins is also nearby on Second Roach Pond. They offer also offer full board and have cabins with a kitchenette if you prefer to make your own meals.
Along First Roach Pond in Kokadjo, which you’ll pass on the way to Whitecap Mountain’s trail head, there is South Inlet Wilderness Campground, Northern Pride Lodge & Campground and Kokadjo Cabins.
One more option is to camp at Lily Bay State Park on Moosehead Lake. See a list of wilderness lodges and cabins here.
Moosehead Pinnacle Pursuit
The trail described here is one of six hikes that make up the Moosehead Pinnacle Pursuit challenge. The other five hikes, in order of difficulty from easiest to hardest (in my opinion), are Mount Kineo, Borestone Mountain, Number Four Mountain, Big Moose Mountain, and Eagle Rock. Whitecap Mountain is the most difficult of the six hikes.
We did this hike in September. Perfect weather, easy to find trailhead! Was feeling not 100% and this did kick my butt!
Did Barren Mt week before and liked that trail too!