Number Four Mountain (and Baker Mountain), Frenchtown Township

Post by Tom Ancona

Number Four Mountain (2,894 ft.) is a little less traveled than other, showier peaks in the Moosehead region, but it provides great views from a challenging, yet doable, 2- to 4-hour hike. Located northwest of Greenville, Number Four is nestled among Elephant Mountain, Baker Mountain, Big and Little Spencer Mountains, as well as Gulf Hagas, White Cap Mountain, and the 100 Mile Wilderness. This is a great hike to do on a sunny summer day because the trail is shaded almost the whole way to the summit.

The trail is just shy of 4.2 miles total (out and back). From the trailhead, the path meanders gradually upwards through a series of bogs and young forest for just over a mile. From there, the trail proceeds to gain elevation more quickly, gaining over 800′ in the next 0.75 miles. Even in this steeper section, the trail is pretty much dirt and roots with a few rock stairs — this is not a rock scramble. A series of very helpful (and more sustainable) switchbacks have been added to this trail, so take note of the fallen logs blocking old sections of trail going straight up the mountain. As you near the summit, the trail levels off significantly.

The summit is tree covered but provides plenty of partially obstructed views, especially toward Moosehead Lake, Big Moose Mountain, and Mount Kineo. The remains of an old fire tower are also at the summit and the tower has a ladder that can be climbed to provide unobstructed views, including Katahdin to the northeast. However, there is no platform at the top, so be careful climbing and taking any pictures! Also, if you continue about 200 yards on the trail past the summit, you’ll reach two clear overlooks — one facing Moosehead Lake and one facing the mountains to the south. A bench encourages you to rest and take it all in.

Baker Mountain — For those who want to check this 3,521-foot mountain off their lists, you can hike another 4.7 miles beyond the summit of Number Four Mountain to the viewless summit of Baker Mountain. You will catch a few nice vistas through the scraggly trees closer to the summit, but it’s a long way to hike for little reward! Thankfully, the miles between Number 4 and Baker are fairly level, and bring you through pleasant forest, with the greatest elevation in the final mile. The first 2.6 miles of the trail are marked with blue blazes, which end when you reach a snowmobile trail. Turn left here, go 25 feet, and look for the footpath on the right (there are clear signs). The final 2.1 miles of the trail are marked with red metal markers. The total mileage, if you hike to Baker Mountain and back, is just a bit less than 14 miles.

Directions: From Rt. 15 in Greenville go straight through the blinking light onto Lily Bay Rd. Drive north for 13.1 miles and turn right on Meadow Brook Road. After 1.7 miles, turn left. Follow this road for 2.2 miles, bear left, and the trailhead will be on your right 500-600 feet ahead on the right. A parking pullout is available just across a small bridge after the trailhead (also on the right). Please note: from Meadow Brook on, you are traveling on logging roads with decent sized bumps, holes, rocks, and culverts. These roads should be accessible for any vehicle so long as you drive slowly and carefully. Please yield to any logging vehicles, as they have the right of way. Additionally, you can come the other direction, from Frenchtown Road, which is a wide dirt road that seems more well maintained than many of the other logging roads. From Frenchtown Road, turn south onto Lagoon Brook Road, and in 1.4 miles turn left onto the Number 4 access road. The trailhead will be just under a mile on your left. We found this route to be somewhat easier for our low-clearance car.