I rated my recent Maine adventures with high school superlatives

By Aislinn Sarnacki

I’ve been on quite a few outdoor adventures recently, soaking up the last rays of summer and clinging to the colors of fall. So I thought, as a way to share them all with you and give you ideas for future outings, I’d rate them.

But here’s the thing: I’m not going to give any wilderness experience a one-star review. In my mind, that doesn’t exist.

The other day, someone asked me for my least favorite hike in Maine. I floundered for an answer. Digging into the cobwebby parts of my brain, I said something like:

“Well, once I got lost on Hogback Mountain in Montville. The landowners were cutting trees, so a few trail markers had disappeared and I got turned around. I happened to be dressed like a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle at the time — for Halloween. So, I was a lost turtle.”

I paused for a few seconds, then shook my head. “Nope. You know what? That was a fun hike. I eventually found the trail again.”

So, instead of rating my recent adventures with numbers or stars, I’ve decided to award them superlatives, like from a high school yearbook. 

Biggest drama queen or king: Doubletop Mountain

With two sharp peaks bridged by a short ridge, Doubletop is one of the most distinctive mountains in Baxter State Park. Its volcano-like profile is easy to identify, and in many places throughout the park, it dominates the view. But that’s not all that makes it dramatic.

The 8-mile hike to the mountain’s top is unusual because the trail remains in the shelter of a dense forest until it reaches the peaks, whereas other large mountains in the park have longer exposed sections of trail. The Doubletop hike is trees, trees, trees and bam — a wide open view.

What’s more, on my recent hike of the mountain, I ran into some dicey weather. Gusts of wind howled through the forest, causing tree branches to flail overhead. And at the top, 3,489 feet above sea level, I experienced my first snow flurry of the season, with clouds crowding one side of the mountain and the clear sky on the other. Talk about dramatic weather.

Friendliest: Trout Mountain

I visited Trout Mountain on a warm, windy day just past peak fall foliage, and while I was hiking solo, I certainly wasn’t alone. As I photographed bright yellow aspen leaves and hulking cedar trees, I came across several hikers who stopped to chat about the beauty of the forest.

The mountain is located on a 3,598-acre preserve that’s owned and managed by The Nature Conservancy. A 2.7-mile trail leads to its top, where I found an 80-foot-tall observation tower with 360-degree views of the Katahdin region.

The views were incredible, but even more uplifting were the interactions I had with fellow adventurers that day. There was a camaraderie in enjoying the last of the fall colors together.

Most likely to become famous: Debsconeag Ice Caves

Caves are fairly unusual in Maine, so when The Nature Conservancy built a 1-mile trail to one, it became popular fast. 

The Debsconeag Ice Caves are a series of small caves formed in the empty spaces between huge boulders. Inside, they’re like refrigerators, holding onto ice for most of the year.

The trail leads to one of the larger caves, which you can climb down into on a series of metal rungs. Just be sure to bring a headlamp, ice cleats and an extra warm layer of clothing. And I suggest visiting on a weekday or early in the morning because the destination can become busy.

During my recent visit in early September, I only saw a few other hikers enjoying the trail, but according to TNC land manager Robbie Snow, it’s not unusual to see the parking lot packed on a fair-weather day.

Most upbeat attitude: Umbagog Lake 

In late summer, I enjoyed a three-day, two-night canoe camping trip on Umbagog Lake with Mahoosuc Guide Service. Straddling the border of Maine and New Hampshire, the lake was filled with loons, golden-eye ducks, otters, bald eagles and great blue herons. 

Seventeen women from all walks of life came together for the trip, and in a short period of time, friendships were forged. I’ll always remember that sun-filled weekend as a time of joy and teamwork. Whether I was baking cookies over a campfire or steering a canoe for miles, a smile was on my face. 

Best dressed: Tunk Mountain

Burnt orange and bronze leaves still clung to the trees in mid-October when I hiked Tunk Mountain with my dog, Juno. I’ve awarded the peak “best dressed” due to this colorful foliage and the rich green hues of its evergreens. 

Located in eastern Maine on the state-owned Donnell Pond Public Land, the mountain rises 1,157 feet above sea level, making it one of the tallest points in the area. At its base, a hiking trail loops around two remote ponds and brushes the shore of a third. Another hiking trail heads up the mountain, climbing steeply to reach several overlooks. 

A word of caution: The mountain trail isn’t suitable for most dogs because it’s quite steep and even includes a section of iron rungs. To the right of the rungs is a steep section of rock where Juno is comfortable scrambling up, but she’s a bit of a mountain goat.

So there you have it: a few adventures to try. After each outing, think of what superlative you’d award your experience. Gnarliest? Mossiest? Most likely to steal your breath? Instead of choosing favorites, I prefer this approach.