Join me for a colorful fall loop hike through one of Maine's most spectacular natural wonders.  This is a FAVORITE hike from years past!  The Gulf Hagas area is part of the Appalachian Trail corridor located 60 miles northwest of Bangor.  It is also within the Hundred-Mile Wilderness, which is considered to be the wildest and longest wilderness section on the AT.  Often called the "Grand Canyon of the East", the Gulf Hagas is a deep, fairly narrow canyon which runs for about 4-5 miles with steep granite walls towering at up to 400 feet above the river at times.  The Rim Trail offers five outstanding scenic areas along the hike:  Screw Auger Falls, The Jaws, Buttermilk Falls, Stair Falls and Billings Falls, on the West Branch of the Pleasant River.  In addition to the incredible beauty of this canyon, fording knee-deep, swift water at the beginning of this hike is one of the challenges and highlights of this trip. 

ENTRANCE FEE:  As the Gulf Hagas lies within privately-managed timber land, there is an entrace fee to the area.  This is $9 for Maine residents and $14 for non-Maine residents.  NOTE:  They only accept cash or check.

Total Distance and Elevation Gain:  Roughly 9 miles with less than 1000 feet in cumulative elevation gain.

Total Time:  Approximately 7 hours depending on breaks and group's speed.  This will be a leisurely hike.

Harsh weather may postpone to another date or cancel, as appropriate, particularly since fording the river after heavy rains may be very dangerous.

Camping Option:  I will be reserving a camp site along the Katahdin Iron Works Road for Friday and Saturday nights.  Contact me, if you wish to share this site.  NOTE:  This is NOT a campground, we will have to fit into one or possibly two adjacent sites along the road.

Friday Night Accommodation:  IF YOU ARE NOT CAMPING AND ARE PARTICIPATING IN THIS HIKE, I highly recommend seeking accommodations in the Old Town/Orono area the night before (due to its distance from just about anywhere).  From this area, it will still take a little over an hour of travel in the morning.

Carpooling:  I encourage participants to meet up at an agreed-upon location and carpool together, given the distance.  Contact other participants, if you wish to coordinate a ride share.

What to Bring:  Typical summer/fall hiking gear should be appropriate:  convertible hiking pants/shorts, good sturdy hiking boots with good traction and thick socks, a windbreaker/raingear.  Also bring along lunch, snacks and plenty of water (at least 2-L).  Optionally, pack sunscreen and anything else that you may require for a day hike.

Afterwards:  Whether you are camping or not, you are free to relax and have dinner at the campsite afterwards.  This will be coordinated beforehand.

We will meet up at the Katahdin Iron Works Gatehouse, which is by the Katahdin Iron Works State Historic Site.

From Route 95, use Exit 199 for Route 16 (this will be past the main Old Town exits).  Turn westward using Route 16 West and follow this for 24.1 miles.  In Milo, turn RIGHT onto Main Street for a couple of blocks and then veer left onto Route 11 North.  Follow Route 11 for 12.5 miles.  Turn left onto Ebeemee Road/Katahdin Iron Works Road and follow for 6.5 miles to the gatehouse.

Look for a gray Hyundai Elantra.

For GPS users:  Katahdin Iron Works Road; Brownville, ME (45.444996, -69.174006).