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 mountain, though glorious, is hard to find! I found this strange — although it’s probably because the mountain is privately owned. We passed the trailhead, which is off Route 16, several times before spotting it. The trick is to drive all the way to the dam, if you’re coming from Rangeley. Then turn around and drive 1 mile east from the dam. At this point, you’ll see a gravel road on your right. 100 feet or so beyond that gravel road, the trail head off into the trees on the right. It was not marked or blazed when I was there. There is a pullover alongside the road for parking. About 50 or so feet in from the road, you’ll see the trail sign.

The trail goes up fairly moderately for 1.1. miles until it turns up the slope toward the summit. The next .4 miles 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 .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.