Flagstaff Mountain

Flagstaff Mountain (~2,462 feet, elevation gain ~1,076 feet) is a remote mountain with decent views from the summit that get a lot better if you’re brave enough to scale the 50-foot fire tower (I wasn’t!). A further impediment is that the first 15 or so rungs are missing from the ladder, so you have to shimmy up the tower’s support bars to reach the first rung.

Be prepared for an overgrown trail with few markings and a long drive to the trailhead. From the turn off of Route 27 in Eustis, it’s a bit over 11 miles on dirt road. Most of the logging roads were in good shape in 2024, with the sketchiest part being near the end, along Long Falls Dam Road and Loop Road. But a high-clearance car will serve you well, especially up the final rougher 0.4 miles on the narrow Loop Road. There’s room for about two cars in the small grassy clearing by the trailhead off Loop Road.

The unmarked but easy-to-follow track starts out on a grassy, overgrown trail that is wet and muddy in parts and alternates between short forested sections and grassier sections. When the track turns, the path follows an eroded, stony section before entering a drier forested stretch. The last leg that brings you to the tower follows a mossy lane tucked in between conifers.

It’s about 2 miles one way. The four sunny photos below, contributed by Sam Shirley, were taken from the top of the fire tower!

Directions: From the south and east — From Route 16 in North New Portland, head north on Long Falls Dam Road. After 26.5 miles, the road crosses the Dead River, turns to dirt, and becomes North Flagstaff Road. Follow this road for 7.9 miles, avoiding all side roads (Spring Lake Road heads right at one point and looks like a more major road. It has a large yellow “Dead End” sign.) to the western intersection with Loop Road (unsigned). There is a 0.5 mile long section of North Flagstaff Road with large potholes and protruding rocks. Cars with mid clearance can carefully navigate this section, but low clearances cars will most likely want to avoid this route. Cars with mid clearance will want to park here. Vehicles with high clearance can turn right onto Loop Road. In 0.5 mile, turn left onto an old narrow track. Follow it for 0.4 mile to a grassy clearing which is the trailhead and parking area.

From the west — From Route 27 in Eustis, head east on King & Bartlett Road. In 0.2 mile, turn right onto Flagstaff Road. Follow Flagstaff Road, avoiding all side roads, for 11.5 miles (there are mile markers) to an intersection with Loop Road (unsigned). Cars with low to mid clearance will want to park here. Vehicles with high clearance can turn left onto Loop Road. In 0.5 mile, turn left onto an old narrow track. Follow it for 0.4 mile to a grassy clearing which is the trailhead and parking area.