The Map is Not the Territory: A Northern Maine Adventure
- Thread starter epicxcrider
- Start date
4Rocker
Observer
Thanks for sharing your trip! My dad and I toured around in that area last June and we hiked into the trains the same way you came in. We followed the GPS to a geocache located in the vicinity of the locomotives after driving in from the north past the boulders. Its funny you mentioned the 'abandoned' cabins at Frost Pond. We actually camped one night at the little campground there, which had hot showers. We didnt explore quite as many unmarked roads on that trip as it was just the two of us in one vehicle, but your pictures make me want to get back up there! The B52 site was pretty neat as well. Looks like you all had a great time!
epicxcrider
Observer
We were presented with a unique opportunity here, as I saw it we only had Four options:
- Caulk the wagon and float it across
- Pay a few dollars to take the ferry across
- Ford the river
- Get More Information
epicxcrider
Observer
We Chose 5: Get More Information
Splitting up, we fanned out looking for A) a way around, and B) where the road actually went after it entered the water. I went high while Erek and Josh went low, Nick went close to the West bank with Chirp and Kevin tried to ford the river. As usual, Jason disappeared.
10 Minutes later we regrouped. The Bad News: There was no possible way around. At all. The Good News: They found the road coming out of the other end of the pond.
We regrouped and decided to try and find a way to hike around so we could scout out the depth of the pond and make sure the roadbed was firm. I also wanted to hike up the road a little bit to make sure we only had to do this once.
As we crossed the pond we checked the road bed with sticks, making sure it was firm. At the other side the road rose out of the water into a nice gravel road bed. We chatted for a minute there about whether we would attempt to drive through or turn around. It was impossible to tell how deep the water was in the middle and if the ground was firm enough. Scouting ahead a bit, everything looked fine. The road even appeared to get better.
There was too much time invested in this trail to turn back. We were half a mile from a known good road. We were starting to run low on fuel and there was real concern weather we could make it all the way back through the winch-fest we had earlier and make it to a gas station.
We headed back across to the vehicles still wondering just how deep the middle would be...
I was the first to go. 4-Low, Second gear - I drove in.
I could tell the ground was pretty firm under the FJ, which was confidence inspiring. I kept a steady pace as the water level rose higher and higher up to about the top of the tires. I could feel the water slapping the floorboards, but it never rose to a level I was uncomfortable with. I exited the other side and crawled up onto dry land. I got in position to pull Josh if needed, but he drove through without issue.
I never thought I would be glad to be on a maintained gravel road, but this time I was relieved. Next stop: Gulf Hagas
Splitting up, we fanned out looking for A) a way around, and B) where the road actually went after it entered the water. I went high while Erek and Josh went low, Nick went close to the West bank with Chirp and Kevin tried to ford the river. As usual, Jason disappeared.
10 Minutes later we regrouped. The Bad News: There was no possible way around. At all. The Good News: They found the road coming out of the other end of the pond.
We regrouped and decided to try and find a way to hike around so we could scout out the depth of the pond and make sure the roadbed was firm. I also wanted to hike up the road a little bit to make sure we only had to do this once.
As we crossed the pond we checked the road bed with sticks, making sure it was firm. At the other side the road rose out of the water into a nice gravel road bed. We chatted for a minute there about whether we would attempt to drive through or turn around. It was impossible to tell how deep the water was in the middle and if the ground was firm enough. Scouting ahead a bit, everything looked fine. The road even appeared to get better.
There was too much time invested in this trail to turn back. We were half a mile from a known good road. We were starting to run low on fuel and there was real concern weather we could make it all the way back through the winch-fest we had earlier and make it to a gas station.
We headed back across to the vehicles still wondering just how deep the middle would be...
I was the first to go. 4-Low, Second gear - I drove in.
I could tell the ground was pretty firm under the FJ, which was confidence inspiring. I kept a steady pace as the water level rose higher and higher up to about the top of the tires. I could feel the water slapping the floorboards, but it never rose to a level I was uncomfortable with. I exited the other side and crawled up onto dry land. I got in position to pull Josh if needed, but he drove through without issue.
I never thought I would be glad to be on a maintained gravel road, but this time I was relieved. Next stop: Gulf Hagas
epicxcrider
Observer
Just as we got onto the Katahdin Iron Works Road we met a local who seemed to think we were lost. Firstly, I'm not sure how we looked lost having driven the route we did and driving the vehicles we were, but he insisted on giving us directions.
Mainers have their own way of giving directions. I (I'm from Maine) could tell you how to get anywhere I've been by describing the road, turns, and landmarks. I have no idea what the route numbers or road names are.
Well this Mainer was the same way. Animating every turn he told us "what you want to do is head down this road about 20 minutes and take a right. Not a HARD right but a right. Then what you'll want to do is head right into town from there. There will be a road goin' right through town and it'll look like you'll want to go that way but you won't. You're gonna turn slight left there slight left and that will bring ya to the same place save ya 'bout 5 minutes."
This went on for probably 10 minutes not really saving us any time at all but it was nice to chat with the guy.
Back on track, we were drove East on the Katahdin Iron Works Road. We had just crossed into AMC territory so the speed stayed reasonable now. About 20 minutes of dirt roads later, we were at the Gulf Hagas parking area. Josh's crew unloaded the last of their manifold cooked food - sausages this time - and we all got ready for the short hike in.
The hike was only a few miles but it was nice to be out of the car stretching our legs. This was a well worn trail and I'll let the pictures do the talking.
Now the above picture has a good story which I've stolen from Josh -
All I could think of at the time
After crossing the second stream we had made it, and boy was it worth it!
First shower most of us had all weekend
Mainers have their own way of giving directions. I (I'm from Maine) could tell you how to get anywhere I've been by describing the road, turns, and landmarks. I have no idea what the route numbers or road names are.
Well this Mainer was the same way. Animating every turn he told us "what you want to do is head down this road about 20 minutes and take a right. Not a HARD right but a right. Then what you'll want to do is head right into town from there. There will be a road goin' right through town and it'll look like you'll want to go that way but you won't. You're gonna turn slight left there slight left and that will bring ya to the same place save ya 'bout 5 minutes."
This went on for probably 10 minutes not really saving us any time at all but it was nice to chat with the guy.
Back on track, we were drove East on the Katahdin Iron Works Road. We had just crossed into AMC territory so the speed stayed reasonable now. About 20 minutes of dirt roads later, we were at the Gulf Hagas parking area. Josh's crew unloaded the last of their manifold cooked food - sausages this time - and we all got ready for the short hike in.
The hike was only a few miles but it was nice to be out of the car stretching our legs. This was a well worn trail and I'll let the pictures do the talking.
Now the above picture has a good story which I've stolen from Josh -
All I could think of at the time
After crossing the second stream we had made it, and boy was it worth it!
First shower most of us had all weekend
hikingff77
Adventurer
Cooooooooooooooooooool! I can't imagine getting into those tight *** roads, I want to try it but I'd be scared to death.
epicxcrider
Observer
We spent a few hours hiking around and swimming in the many pools below each waterfall. Nick took some great photos that I hope to show you soon, while Kevin contemplated life on the rocks above. Keven, on the other hand, contemplated death while thinking about jumping off some of the higher cliffs. Thinking better of it, we reserved the cliff jumping for another day when we could check for sticks in the pool below.
Photos only begin to show how beautiful this place is. Amazingly, the whole gorge is 5 miles long - we probably only saw 1/4 mile of it. The sun had started to sink below the trees - it was getting late in the day.
The last day.
It felt like the realization donned upon all of us at the same time that we needed to head home from here. Still, the excitement of the trip had not worn off. Hiking out we reflected together upon the distance we had covered, things we had seen and found, the trails we had driven in such a short time. We all felt we had not just taken a great trip, but that we had actually accomplished something. It was a good feeling.
We hiked out.
Photos only begin to show how beautiful this place is. Amazingly, the whole gorge is 5 miles long - we probably only saw 1/4 mile of it. The sun had started to sink below the trees - it was getting late in the day.
The last day.
It felt like the realization donned upon all of us at the same time that we needed to head home from here. Still, the excitement of the trip had not worn off. Hiking out we reflected together upon the distance we had covered, things we had seen and found, the trails we had driven in such a short time. We all felt we had not just taken a great trip, but that we had actually accomplished something. It was a good feeling.
We hiked out.
CACHE KRAWLER
Observer
Really enjoyed the write-up guys. This kind of adventure is right up my alley, except that I tend to cover the NW area of the states. Thanks for sharing this with us all. Looking forward to the next one...
Jakes01234
Explorer
fantastic job you did... i need to get going on a trip like this soon but ive never gone camping that much off the beaten path..
how many miles was the trip starting in NH? im trying to see how much fuel i would need for a trip like this.. my range is not all that well
thanks and great job i enjoyed the read and pics
Jake
how many miles was the trip starting in NH? im trying to see how much fuel i would need for a trip like this.. my range is not all that well
thanks and great job i enjoyed the read and pics
Jake
theicecreampeople
Adventurer
love it ..you guys rock :sombrero:
epicxcrider
Observer
800-1000 miles total. I'll have to check my GPS track for an exact number.
Thanks, All!
epicxcrider
Observer
Epilogue
After hiking the few miles out to the trucks, we still needed to find our way out of the park and back home. It was getting later in the evening now - we drove West into the setting sun towards Greenville. Stopping at the gate to pay the toll we said our goodbyes in person as we would be splitting off at some point for the long drive back to New Hampshire. We all agreed there would be a second trip to find the B-52 crash site and a few other things we missed.
Back on pavement, we turned on to Rt 15 heading South out of Greenville and my gas light came on. Pretty good timing
After hiking the few miles out to the trucks, we still needed to find our way out of the park and back home. It was getting later in the evening now - we drove West into the setting sun towards Greenville. Stopping at the gate to pay the toll we said our goodbyes in person as we would be splitting off at some point for the long drive back to New Hampshire. We all agreed there would be a second trip to find the B-52 crash site and a few other things we missed.
Back on pavement, we turned on to Rt 15 heading South out of Greenville and my gas light came on. Pretty good timing
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