Trails in Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument

Deasey Ponds is an out and back hike. It is one of the shorter and easier to get to hikes available within Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument. Deasey Ponds Trail is 1.4miles / 2.3km round trip with an elevation gain of 72ft/21m. Be prepared for an abundance of biting and stinging bugs especially during late spring and summer months!

Trail Details

Start the hike at the gravel parking area just west of Deasey Ponds Trailhead. There is a vault toilet at the parking lot.

Once parked, safely walk east back towards the trailhead start. The trail will begin with a dirt and gravel surface. Be aware of larger rocks on the trail.

As you continue on, the trail will come to a set of log steps. Notice the sounds of the forest here-you may begin to hear the sounds of water.

After the steps, continue on the dirt and gravel trail, which leads to a slightly raised narrow wooden section of the trail. This section of the trail is constructed with logs to help keep your feet dry.

Follow the dirt and gravel trail to a charming view of Deasey Ponds. There is a wooden viewing platform with built in benches here for you to sit and observe the landscape.

Reminder: Carry out all trash and food waste (fruit peels, shells, etc.). Do not feed the wildlife.

Looking To Lengthen Your Hike?

Just south of the Deasey Ponds Trail parking lot is the start of another short out and back trail that brings you to a view of a wetland ecosystem formed by Sandbank Stream. This trail is 1 mile round trip and has 47ft of elevation gain. If you do decide to hike Deasey Ponds and add on this segment, estimated total length is 2.4 miles.

You will have to cross Swift Brook Road (south of the parking lot) to find the trailhead. Watch for traffic before crossing.

Follow the rock steps to a gravel and dirt trail that meanders through a boreal forest and along an esker .

You will arrive at a steep set of stairs made with logs. Continue down and turn right to get to the wetland viewing area. (If you make a left, you will end up at the Katahdin Woods and Waters NM welcome sign and Loop Road Gate that you passed on your way to the parking lot.)

The International Appalachian Trail (IAT) covers approximately 28.9 miles of trail within Katahdin Woods and Waters. The IAT follows old logging roads, crosses Wassataquoik Stream, and meanders through dense boreal forest. The IAT is overgrown in various sections with tall grasses, shrubs, and trees. It is recommended to carry a waterproof map with you, especially if you plan to through hike the entire length of the trail. Signage may be difficult to find in some areas and cell reception is very unreliable. There is no potable water-you will need to pack enough water or purify your own water before drinking . Late spring and summer months typically have high concentrations of biting and stinging insects.

Trail Details

The IAT starts at either the North Gate or at Barnard Mountain Trailhead, located in the southern section. Choose your own adventure by starting at either end; hike a little, or hike the whole thing, it is up to you. The following trail details start at the Barnard Mountain Trailhead parking area. Reverse the steps if you are starting from the north section of the monument.

Park at Barnard Mountain Trailhead, a small dirt and gravel parking area located on the Katahdin Loop Road (GPS coordinate: 45.91512, -68.76034). There is a vault toilet at the trailhead.

Hike north on the IAT following an old logging road for approximately 1 mile and veer right to continue on the IAT. Although the road appears to continue north, follow the sign and veer right to stay on the IAT.

From that point, continue to hike north/north-east for approximately 2.5 miles until you reach an intersection. Turn right and hike approximately 1 mile east to access the Wassataquoik Ford.

The Wassataquoik Ford is a river crossing. Safely cross the Wassataquoik Stream to continue on the IAT, or this can also be a good time to turn around. Review the information on stream crossings before visiting.

After crossing, look for the small rectangular white and blue IAT sign to continue north. From the Wassataquoik Ford, you will travel approximately 24.5 more miles before reaching the North Gate. As you hike, continue to look for the small rectangular white and blue IAT signs (usually found attached to trees). Areas may become very dense with vegetation in this section of the trail with rocky, slippery, muddy, and uneven surfaces. Enjoy the scenic vistas on top of Deasey Mountain and Lunksoos Mountain as you hike towards the North Gate.

Lunksoos Lean-to is approximately 0.5 miles from Lunksoos Mountain. This is a recommended camping spot when through hiking the IAT. Reserve online and enjoy the beauty of the night sky in an International Dark Sky Sanctuary.

From Lunksoos Lean-to it is important to pay close attention to the trail and map due to areas with old logging roads and dense brush. Continue to follow the small rectangular white and blue signs to make sure you are on the IAT.

Once you get to the intersection of the IAT and Telos Tote Trail, turn left to stay on the IAT. Hike north along the East Branch of the Penobscot River to the North Gate. There are some smaller stream crossings ahead and areas of deep mud. You will reach a suspension bridge, after approximately 3.4 miles from the IAT/Telos Tote Trail intersection. Continue north to stay on the IAT. (Note: private property across the bridge.)

From this point on, continue to hike north on the IAT. You will pass Haskell Gate and continue onto New River Road. Proceed with caution, since New River Road is a gravel road shared with motor vehicles. The monument segment of the IAT ends at the North Gate parking area where you can find a vault toilet. If you plan to continue past the monument to follow the IAT/SIA outside of Katahdin Woods and Waters, please contact the Maine Chapter of the IAT .

* There is no access to Baxter State Park from Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument. Contact Baxter State Park (207-723-5150) for any questions about access to Baxter State Park.

Camping

Camping is only allowed in designated campsites. Walk-ups are welcomed, but reservations through recreation.gov are encouraged. Most sites have a pit toilet available. The following are recommended sites along the IAT:

Katahdin Brook Lean-to

Wassataquoik Lean-to or Wassataquoik Campsite

Lunksoos Lean-to

Grand Pitch Lean-to

Pond Pitch Campsite

Haskell Deadwater Campsite

Stair Falls Campsite

Hike an out and back trail to the top of Barnard Mountain for a magnificent and expansive viewpoint of Katahdin Lake and Mt.Katahdin. To get to the view, you will take a 4 mile round-trip trail that has an elevation gain of 792ft. This is a great location for wildlife viewing. Remember to pack in water to stay hydrated.

Trail Details

Start at the Barnard Mountain Trailhead Parking (located on the loop road). The parking area is a small dirt and gravel area. There is a vault toilet at the trailhead.

After you park your vehicle, hike north on the IAT (an old logging road) for approximately 1 mile and veer right and continue on the IAT for another .5 miles. The Barnard Mountain Trailhead will be on your right.

Take the Barnard Mountain Trail for approximately 0.7 miles to reach the summit and viewpoint. This trail is uneven with exposed roots, rocks, and other organic matter. You will also encounter rock steps.

Leashed pets are allowed on this trail. Carry out all trash and food waste (fruit peels, shells, etc.). Do not feed the wildlife.

Hike this out and back trail by following the International Appalachian Trail (IAT) up to the top of Deasey Mountain (the tallest peak in the monument) for a 360-degree view of the surrounding landscape. To get to this scenic view, hike 10 mile round-trip with an elevation gain of 1,593ft / 485m. A historic fire lookout building, constructed by the Maine Forest Service in 1929, is located at the summit. Camping is not permitted on top of Deasey Mountain. Pack in your own water or bring a filter system to stay hydrated. There is no potable water.

This hike requires fording a river. Please review the safety information about stream crossings before arriving.

Trail Details

Start at the Wassataquoik Gate Parking Lot. The parking lot is a dirt and gravel area with a vault toilet.

After you park, hike north past the gate for approximately 0.3 miles until you reach a trail (the IAT) to your right and a sign for the Wassataquoik Ford.

Turn right to connect onto the IAT segment that leads you to the bank of Wassataquoik Stream. Hike approximately 890ft to arrive at the stream. Look for the signs marked "Ford" on either side of the bank for designated crossing locations.

Follow safe stream crossing practices when crossing the ford. If you do not feel comfortable, stop here and turn around. A safe hike is a successful hike.

After you cross the Wassataquoik Stream, look for the small IAT signs to follow the IAT for approximately 1.5 miles until you reach a large boulder named Earl's Erratic. Be prepared to cross a large beaver dam and possible flooded areas along the way.

Continue past Earl's Erratic for approximately 1.4 miles to arrive at the IAT and Ed Werler Trail junction. Continue on the IAT by veering left at the junction. Expect muddy, rocky, and slippery surfaces.

After hiking approximately 0.7 miles north from the junction, you will arrive at the site of the old fire warden's cabin. Be aware that this building is not structurally safe and is collapsing.

Hike past the cabin to start the final steep ascent (approximately 0.8 miles) to the top of Deasey Mountain. This portion is very steep and follows a trickling stream. Proceed carefully and check maps frequently to stay on trail.

Once completing the steep trail, follow the signage slightly left to Deasey Mountain Fire Lookout for the summit view. (Continuing right will take you to Lunksoos Mountain.)

Enjoy the views and hydrate before making your way back to the parking lot by retracing your steps the same way you came up.

Haskell Rock is a 20ft tall conglomerate bedrock (a clastic sedimentary rock) that protrudes out of the East Branch of the Penobscot River. This rock is approximately 450 million years old. Take a 2 mile (one-way) out and back hike in the northern section of the monument to see this natural feature. There is an elevation gain of 103ft / 31m. Cell reception is very unreliable in this area. There is no potable water, you will need to pack enough water or purify your own water before drinking . Late spring and summer months typically have high concentrations of biting and stinging insects in the area.

Trail Details

Start by entering Katahdin Woods and Waters from the North Entrance and park at Haskell Gate parking area. The parking location is a marked dirt and gravel area on New River Road, just south of the gate. There are no facilities at Haskell Gate parking, so be sure to stop at the North Gate parking lot for the closest vault toilet.

Once parked, safely walk north back to Haskell Gate (it will be to your right). Haskell Gate is one of the International Appalachian Trail (IAT) trailheads within the monument. Take the IAT to Haskell Rock. There are small rectangular white and blue IAT signs along the way to help hikers stay on trail.

Stay on the IAT the entire way (approximately 2.0 miles one-way). Enjoy the sights and sounds in this area at Haskell Rock. It is a great location to observe and imagine past glacial activity in the area .

To return back to Haskell Gate to end your hike. Retrace your steps by following the IAT north.

Reminder: Carry out all trash and food waste (fruit peels, wrappers, nut shells, etc.). Do not feed the wildlife .

Lichen Trail is an out and back hike near the Katahdin Loop Road Overlook. It is one of the shorter day hikes available within Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument. The Lichen Trail is approximately 1.2 miles/1.9km round trip with an elevation gain of 201ft/31.3m. Enjoy a scenic view of Katahdin as you hike on the Lichen Trail. Shade is limited in this area. Plan accordingly.

Trail Details

Start the hike by parking at the trailhead just north of the Katahdin Loop Road Overlook (45.84831,-68.74678). Please do not block the trailhead when parking. The hike begins with a gradual downhill, but you will have to hike back uphill to your vehicle.

As you hike along the trail, notice the Pink Earth Lichen (Dibaeis baeomyces) covering the trail surface. It is a light pink color and only a few millimeters in height. There are a variety of lichen that exist in the monument. How many types can you observe on this trail? Lichen may be small, but they play an important role in many ecosystems. Notice the different types of trees and signs of wildlife in this area as well.

Follow the sandy gravel trail to the bottom where it meets up with Rocky Pond Road multiuse trail before turning around and hiking back up to the same trailhead where you started.

Reminder: Carry out all trash and food waste (fruit peels, shells, etc.). Do not feed the wildlife.

Hike to Orin Falls, where a magnificent view of a cascading waterfall made of tiered glacial boulders and rocks greets you. The water that tumbles and churns the rocks at Orin Falls comes from Wassataquoik Stream. This 6-mile (round-trip) hike will take you through dense forests, meadows, and waterways of Katahdin Woods and Waters NM. Be aware of bikers as well as wildlife on the trail. Remember to pack in enough water to stay hydrated. There is no potable water.

Trail Details

Start by parking your vehicle at Wassataquoik Gate. There is a vault toilet available for use here.

Hike northwest to the trailhead. The trail starts on a former gravel logging road.

In approximately 0.4 miles, you will cross over Katahdin Brook on a footbridge and reach Wassataquoik Campsite on your left. Continue to hike past the campsite and Wassataquoik Lean-to.

Continue hiking for approximately 0.6 miles. Continue onward in a northwest direction when you arrive at a junction. Do not turn left unless you would like to follow the International Appalachian Trail to the Barnard Mountain Trailhead.

After the junction, continue for another 1.5 miles before turning right onto a narrow trail through dense forest. There will be a sign with Orin Falls on it to remind you.

This final narrow section of the trail has wooden boards and a small wooden footbridge to keep you on trail and hopefully out of the mud and water. Be aware it may be slippery. Notice the sound of water as you approach Orin Falls.

Retrace your steps to return to your vehicle. This is an out and back hike.

Reminder: Carry out all trash and food waste (fruit peels, shells, etc.). Do not feed the wildlife . Dress appropriately and be prepared for a high concentration of biting and stinging bugs during late spring, summer months.

The Seboeis Riverside Trail covers 7.2 miles along the Seboeis River. It is an out and back trail, so expect to hike 14.4 miles round-trip if you plan to hike the entire length of the trail. Enjoy the scenic views and notice the sounds of the river and forest on your hike. Remember to pack in your own water to stay hydrated. There is no potable water available on the trail.

Trail Details

The Seboeis Riverside Trail has multiple access points. For the most direct and convenient access, start at Grand Pitch Trailhead (located just off Grand Lake Road) to find a designated parking lot and trailhead information. The only vault toilet is across Grand Lake Road by the picnic area. Other access points to the trail are in the Seboeis Parcel of Katahdin Woods and Waters NM ( South Trailhead and Seboeis Connector Trail).

Follow the directions below to the access points within Katahdin Woods and Waters NM. There are no facilities in the Seboeis Parcel and the roads are uneven and unmaintained. A high clearance vehicle is recommended.

Getting to the trailhead by American Thread Road:

Enter the Seboeis Parcel by American Thread Road. Caution: Logging trucks always have the right of way.

Once you are on American Thread Road, continue for approximately 6.5 miles until you reach Grondin Road. As you drive north on American Thread Road, you will pass signs for Kimball Deadwater and Twin Ponds.

Turn left at the junction onto Grondin Road and continue on for approximately 2 miles.

At the junction, turn left onto Philpott Bridge Access Road. Continue for approximately 2.9 miles to reach the Seboeis Connector Road. Continue on the gravel road by veering right at the junction to travel onto the Seboeis Connector Road.

Continue on the gravel road and continue approximately 0.9 miles to find an unmarked open dirt parking area on your left. GPS coordinate: 46.07524,-68.63554. * There is a connector trail to the north of the parking area. The connector trail provides a direct access to the Seboeis Riverside Trail.

Trail access:

After parking in the dirt parking area, you can either start the hike at the south end of the trail , or, take the connector trail to meet up with the Seboeis Riverside Trail.

To reach the south end of Seboeis Riverside Trail , carefully walk back down the Seboeis Connector Road to the junction with Philpot Bridge Access Road. Turn right at the junction and hike south approximately 0.5 miles towards the Seboeis River. The trailhead will be on your right before you reach the river. Note: Philpott Bridge and areas west of the Seboeis River are not within the boundaries of Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument.

To follow the Seboeis Connector Trail to meet Seboeis Riverside Trail , hike approximately 500ft north past the parking area and turn left when you see a clearing. Hike west towards the river to meet the Seboeis Riverside Trail.

Suggestion: If you are short on time and prefer a loop hike, form a loop by starting at the parking area and take the Seboeis Connector. When you get to the Seboeis Riverside Trail, turn left and hike south towards Philpott Bridge. At the end of the trail, turn left (away from the bridge) and hike uphill for approximately 0.5 miles. Turn left and hike approximately 1 mile north-west to bring you back to the parking area.