Aziscohos Mountain, near Rangeley (Lincoln Plantation)

This 3,215-foot mountain has been a favorite hike for people since the 1800s. When I hiked this trail in September, 2017, there was a peeling, laminated article posted near the top of the mountain with a photo of people in old-fashioned dress (the woman in a very long, heavy skirt) who were looking happy on the summit.

The trail up the privately owned mountain, though glorious, can be a bit hard to find! In 2024, when my sister hiked Aziscohos, the trailhead was marked with pink paint, visible from the road (Route 16). If you need a marker, the dam is almost exactly 1 mile west of the trailhead. If you’re coming from this direction, you’ll see a gravel road on your right. 100 feet or so beyond that gravel road, the trail heads off into the trees on the right. There is a pullover alongside the road for parking. About 50 or so feet in from the road, you’ll see a trail sign.

The trail goes up fairly moderately for about 1.2 miles until it turns up the slope toward the summit. Be extra watchful for tags to mark the trail, especially since the area was harvested (which can make for a mucky, muddy hike). The next half mile or so goes up a fairly rocky, steep section of the trail. The area seems like the site of an ancient rock fall — the rocks are now frozen in place with moss growing over them. When you are done with this hard section, you have a quick 0.1-hike to the summit. You’ll see an an older unmaintained trail heading off to the right.

The top of this mountain has 360-degree views and is breathtaking. Of course, the better your mood, the more beautiful the views! The elevation gain is 1,460 feet.

Directions: From Rangeley and Oquossoc, take Route 16 west towards Wilson’s Mills for approximately 18 miles (about a mile before the dam). The trailhead is on the left, 100 feet before a gravel drive. Route 16 makes a wide curve here. You  can park along the shoulder of the road.