QUICK TRAIL FACTS
- Preserve Size: +800 acres
- Trail Mileage: 2.5-mile loop
- Pets: yes
- Difficulty: moderate
- Sights: Views, Echo Lake
By Sam Shirley
Quaggy Jo Mountain, in Aroostook State Park (Maine’s first state park!), has two peaks with views that are connected by well-maintained and well-marked trails. (According to Wikipedia, the mountain’s name is based on a Native word for “two-peaked.”)
After a short, easy detour around the campground, due to construction, we ascended via the South Peak Trail, a roughly 1-mile hike from campground to the 1,220-foot summit. We enjoyed the scramble up the steep rock ledges, very similar to Haystack Mountain in Castle Hill. There is a very nice viewpoint at South Peak, but the views were somewhat limited by the Canadian wildfire smoke (in the summer 2025).
After enjoying lunch, we followed the 1-mile Ridge Trail to the 1,140-foot North Peak. After dropping to the saddle between the peaks, the Ridge Trail makes an easy ascent past a lean-to and picnic table to North Peak. There are a few nice viewpoints in different directions from North Peak.
From North Peak, it was an easy, ~0.5-mile descent back to the parking lot. The most surprising part was that we only saw one other hiker the entire time!
For an alternate route, you can take the 0.25-mile Notch Trail to the Ridge Trail. The Notch Trail has long sets of stone steps, and is by far the easiest way up the mountain.
Additionally, it is worth noting that there are many other connecting snowshoe and cross country ski trails. See the park map. Additionally, you can swim after your hike in Echo Lake.
Directions: From Route 1, about 3 miles south of Presque Isle, turn on to the Spragueville Road and drive 1.5 miles. Take a left onto State Park Road. Follow this 1 mile to the park’s main entrance. The mountain trailhead is behind the day use area.
