Woodchuck Hill, Eddington

Trails in red are Woodchuck Hill; Trails in blue are Blackcap Mountain.

Woodchuck Hill is a small mountain—815 feet—but it packs a fairly big adventure because one of the routes to the summit goes up a craggy and steep mountain face. (Plus, it looks like Snowshoe Pond would make a lovely place to swim at the end of the hike, increasing the possibility of an adventure.) The elevation gained is a bit more than 500 feet. The summit is wooded, but you can catch some views to the east through a small clearing.

The path between Fitts Pond, where you start your walk, to Snowshoe Pond is fairly level, and roughly 0.8 miles. When the trails comes out shortly after Snowshow Pond onto Bangor Waterworks Road, continue straight across the road if you want to attempt the steeper ascent, which is another 0.5 miles to the summit. This path goes up a scraggly cliffside that involves a bit of ledge scrambling and the scaling of two short wooden ladders—one has rope handrails. But this climb is not technical at all, and it’s really not scary, either—I think most children should have no problem and might find it fun. Dogs might have trouble with the ladders, however. And I’m sure it’s dicey when there’s snow and ice.

If you want to avoid the steep section—either going up or down—take a right on Bangor Waterworks Road after Snowshoe Pond and walk about 0.4 miles on the road until you reach a locked gate. You’ll see a blue-and-yellow blazed trail on your left. This trail is steepish but requires no climbing of rocks. This path, from the summit to Fitts Pond, is about 1.8 miles.

Directions: The trailhead is on Camp Roosevelt Road. Park at Roosevelt Scout Camp’s large parking area, next to Fitts Pond. The road into the camp is gated off season. (Camp Roosevelt asks hikers to check in when the camp is in session.) To find the trailhead, walk .2 miles up Camp Roosevelt Road into the camp and bear left onto Tonini Road, right before a sign with a camp map. Continue walking straight up this road—it is blazed yellow and blue. Stay straight when you see a sign for Pamola. When you come to an intersecting wide track just ahead turn right and look for the footpath that continues on the other side into the forest.