Moosehead Pinnacle Pursuit
☶ Moosehead Pinnacle Pursuit
This one is epic.
Total elevation gain is 15,393'. The ultimate challenge is to do all six summits in 48 hours. Forty eight HOURS! I mean 48 days is insane let alone hours! But it wouldn't be a challenge and you wouldn't get a shiny ultra badge if it's not hard. To date, only 60 had registered and completed the ultra challenge of the Moosehead Pinnacle Pursuit.
For those who attempted to achieve the ultra status, they would have begun and ended at the Gazebo at the Moose marine Museum. They would have completed the application and registered in case something happened. They would have seen the panoramic views from each corner of the Moosehead Lake region, in forty eight freaking hours!
According to their website, non-ultra hikers could do this in a week. They recommend hiking up Borestone and Number Four in one day, then Kineo and Big Moose on another day, then White Cap on its own day and Eagle Rock on the last day. They you go to the hospital to make sure that your lungs and legs are still attached to your body.
I just did the pursuit part. For four years. I didn't even know that there's such thing until I heard a couple of my friends talking about it. I'm like... "yup... I did that one", "yeah, that one was my favorite", "oh that one is gnarly!", "I should do that one soon". It' crazy when you do things naturally and for some people, it's a big accomplishment. It's a big challenge. I guess it really goes hand in hand if you think about it. Why do something that will not make you feel accomplished. That's just... insanity!
"Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results,"
But did you know that he never actually said it? According to Google AI, this popular saying, sometimes attributed to him, is often misquoted or used as a paraphrase of his later work or a more accurate quote: "No problem can be solved at the same level of consciousness that created it."
I digress.
Borestone Mountain, October 2021
The first pinnacle mountain that I pursued was Borestone Mountain in October of 2021. It's a 3.5 mile out and back (with some loop) trail with 962' accent and 1923' elevation.
This is when I fell in love with Maine's fall season. This is when I'm like... "ok, I guess it's not I would enjoy Maine's outdoors after all."
There's a couple of spots where you have to climb up some railings but overall the hike wasn't too bad. It wasn't as steep as my other hikes. The trail is wide and there's an option to take the service road to the base of the mountain or the hiking trail.
At the base of the mountain is Sunrise Pond next to the Borestone Mountain Audubon Sanctuary visitor center. They said that it's abundant with dragonflies and its thinner cousin damselflies but I didn't see any when I was out there. But oh what a view!
I went back to this mountain with friends and their kids (when kids are hiking and getting to the summit with no problem, that's when you know that it is doable) before the leaves turn and it's equally amazing!
I would love to backpack to this mountain and spend the night at the summit on a clear night sky. That'll be the goal!
Number Four, August 2022
Next on my unofficial, unknowing Pinnacle Pursuit list was Number Four Mountain. Yes, I've asked that question myself. Why Number Four? Why not number one? Maybe it's not as pretty or challenging as the number one mountain (IDK if that exists). So many questions that only Google can answer. So according to Google who said according to Bangor Daily news, the mountain is named after its original township, which was known as Township 4. The township has since been changed to Township A Range 13, but the mountain retained its historical name from the early lumbermen who worked in the area. Now we know!
Number Four is a 3.3 mile out and back trail with a whopping 1373’ accent and an elevation of 2890’. This is what I call an escalator trail. It's a steady accent/decent. No flat trail. Just up and down. But not as steep compared to the other trails that I hiked.
Have you heard of the mushroom game? Me neither. I don't think it exists. But see if you can name one or all of these mushrooms because I know none of them! I do know that the last one is not a mushroom 😝
Eagle Rock, September 2022
Next up is Eagle Rock. This one is a grueling 6.8 mile trail. You could accent on one side of the mountain and decent on the other side. Or out and back. Either way, you'll need an entire day, lots of water and snacks. The accent is 897’ with elevation of 2290’. This is not for impatient people. You will need to take your time to survive this roller coaster trail especially in the summer. If there's one person that you can stand talking to for 4 to 6 hours, bring them! Or if you're the type that can be quiet for 4 to 6 hours and enjoying a quiet, self-conversation, then this trail is for you.
It's a good family outing - that's what we did. It's like Thanksgiving but instead of gaining weight, you'll lose them.
Mount Kineo, July 2023
And then there's Mount Kineo. Actually, this one is a better family outing. You would ride a ferry to get to the state park - and it's free! Or ride your boat if you have one or canoe or kayak to it from Rockwood, Maine.
This is an easy to moderate network of trails but all trails lead to the summit, which has a converted fire tower, used until about 1960 by the Maine Forest Service. It's 3.8 miles to the summit with 737′ accent and elevation of 1450′.
The island has its own golf course and a club house. Yup! Fancy!
It's the least of my favorite trail in all 6 mountains. I'm sure it's because of the feeling of being trapped in an island. I mean they have food so I won't starve but still...
White Cap Mountain, September 7, 2024
This one you already know from my previous post. There was a pretty owl and not so great view. Only because it was foggy and windy. When Mother Nature says nothing to see here...
White Cap is part of the Appalachian Trail with 6.5 mile route, an insane 1909’ accent and elevation of 3644’. It is the highest summit of all six mountains. It connects to Gulf Hagas if you want to hike 10ish more miles.
After hiking this trail is when I knew about the pinnacle pursuit. I actually thought I finished it all but there's actually one more that I had to hike. So I did this hike and Big Moose mountain in the same month. The top two highest summit in the pursuit.
This is one of the trails that I wouldn't mind doing again if it meant a better hiking experience.
Big Moose, September 28, 2024
Lastly, the Big Moose Mountain. A 4 mile out an back trail with a crazy 1647’ accend and elevation of 3196’. You already know this one as well from my previous post so I won't bore you with the details. Just look at the pretty colors!
So to recap and to break this down from the highest summit to the lowest:
- 3644' summit, 1909' accent: White Cap Mountain, 6.5 hike done on Sept. 7, 2024
- 3196' summit, 1647' accent: Big Moose Mountain, 4 mile hike done on Sept 28, 2024
- 2890' summit, 1373' accent: Number Four Mountain, 3.3 mile hike done in August, 2022
- 2290' summit, 897' accent, Eagle Rock Mountain, 6.8 mile hike done in September, 2022
- 1923' summit, 962' accent, Borestone Mountain, 3.5 mile hike done in October, 2021
- 1450' summit, 737' accent, Mount Kineo, 3.8 mile done in July 2023
I say it's not too bad huh?
But wait! There's more!
You could also get a winter badge if you complete all climbs between January 1 and April 15 of the same year... by foot... snowmobiling or helicopter drop. Would be cool for snowshoeing or cross country skiing. Only 7 finished this challenge and yes, there's an ultra winter challenge as well and no, no one has completed it... yet. So calling all winter adventurers or abominable snowmen out there!
And a couple of notable hikes in around the area
Barren Mountain is basically across Borestone Mountain. This pretty much has the same amazing view as Borestone on one side. I never made it to the peak which is 2670' but would love to get there an check out Cloud Pond someday.
Where to next, Puu?
Family visits! Who doesn't love family visits?!
In the meantime, check out my store to see more images like this! Or maybe follow my Instagram page. Or maybe get some free stock photos. Thank you internet!
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