The Laurie’s Ledge Trail on Indian Mountain in the heart of Maine’s 100 Mile Wilderness is a 3.3 mile out-and-back hike with about 1,100 feet elevation gain and excellent views from its two view points.
This hike has been on my To-Do List for some time and I’m glad I saved it for October when the fall foliage was popping. I was apprehensive about doing it because of its remote location and because I don’t hear much about it, but this is a hidden gem! It’s a very well built and well maintained trail by AMC and the hike should take most people around 2 hours to complete. While its length is short, the elevation gain is sure to get your heart pumping.
This is a hike in Maine’s extremely remote 100 Mile Wilderness region. To get there, you will have to take the Katahdin Iron Works Rd, an unpaved road maintained by KI Jo-Mary. Whether driving from Greenville or Brownville, you will need to stop at a checkpoint and pay the road day-use fee, $11 for Maine residents and $16 for all others.
Trail head parking is a short distance from the entrance to Little Lyford Lodge, on the opposite side of the road. Alternatively you could also start the hike from the lodge if you’re staying there. GPS worked reliably for me but you should save an offlline map because there is no cell phone service in the area.
After the first half mile of the hike, the trail merges with the Indian Mountain Circuit Trail for about a quarter mile until the two trails split. Make sure that you stay on the Laurie’s Ledge Trail!
Laurie’s Ledge Trail steepens after it separates from the Indian Mountain Circuit. The trail wraps around a giant boulder and there’s some really well constructed stairs to assist in the ascent and later the descent.
After a bit over a mile from the beginning of the hike, there is a short spur trail to the Laurie’s Ledge lookout where you’re treated to some jaw dropping views of White Cap Mountain and Mount Katahdin in the distance if its a clear day. Don’t miss this view point! Below you are the ponds next to Little Lyford Lodge. There’s a bench to sit at and take a break while you take in the view.
Continue on the trail for another half mile to reach the final viewpoint, near the summit of Indian Mountain.
Here you have another amazing view, this time of the opposite side of the mountain. Below you is Horseshoe Pond and Pearl Ponds, with Elephant Mountain to the right of the ponds and Blue Ridge to the left, both untrailed, but AMC has built a network of trails around the ponds, accessible if you keep driving past the Indian Mountain trail head. Big Moose Mountain on Moosehead Lake can also be seen in the distance on a clear day.
More Drone Photos
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