Big Moose Mountain, Little Moose Public Land (near Greenville)

Big Moose Mountain stands sentinel at the southern end of Moosehead Lake, and is part of the ~15,000-acre Little Moose Public Land.

On its southeastern side, a popular 2.1-mile there-and-back trail brings you to the top of the 3,194-foot peak, which has great views over the lake and farther north. You can rest at the summit for views, or continue a brief way along the narrow path to a small communications tower, helipad, and rocky outcrop with even nicer views. Indeed, you can walk all the way to the Big Moose ski trails and make your way down a herd path that follows some of the less steep slopes.

If you’re leaving from the Public Lands, the first part of the trail is fairly flat — which means you gain much of the elevation in the final 0.7 miles, unfortunately! At 1.4 miles, you’ll reach a dilapidated fire warden’s cottage, and just beyond that will cross a stream. This marks the beginning of a steeper climb, and a truly epic stone staircase that my GPS measured at nearly a quarter-mile long. That was sheer agony.

At the top of this steep section, turn left to check out the side trail that brings you to a pointed boulder with nice views. Once you return to the main trail, you’ll climb a bit more to a ridge, arriving at the summit in about a half mile. 

If you want to hike the approximately 2-mile ascent via the ski slopes, either park at the end of the ski area driveway or at the lodge. Walk around the old pool, and you’ll catch a herd path on Fitzgerald, an adjacent ski slop. The path is faint but visible the whole way up. (I haven’t been back here since the ski area was reopened! So my information may not be up to date.)

The first three-fourths of this route are steadily steep, and then it gets considerably steeper closer to the summit. Hike up Fitzgerald for about half a mile, and then transition to East Branch — the two ski runs intersect just above the chairlift station. In roughly 0.3 miles, you’ll reach the first views. The summit is another 1.2 miles or so farther. I hiked the trail in the rain and the path was at times incredibly soggy, mushy, mossy, and weedy — I wonder if it may be wet in areas even on dry days.

Directions: From Greenville, go west on Route 15 for about 3.5 miles. Turn left onto North Road. Drive roughly 1.5 miles down the dirt road to the parking area and trailhead on the right. There will be a sign for the trail. If you’re starting from Big Squaw ski area, I recommend following the driveway all the way to the locked gate. Park at the side of the road and continue by foot the remainder of the drive. You’ll pass an old, decrepit hotel or lodge — and you’ll catch the herd path on the ski slop adjacent to the old pool. The path is faint but visible the entire way to the last chairlift station.