Pleasant Mountain, ME, 08/01/07

[threecy]

Pleasant Mountain, ME

Date Hiked: 08/01/07

Trails(s) Hiked: Ledges Trail

Distance: 3.6 miles

Difficulty: Moderate

Conditions: Dry, hot/hazy

Wanting to go out of state a bit, I decided to embark on a Maine hike after work. My previous hike on Pleasant Mountain was slushy/muddy/postholey, so I was determined to try it in more favorable conditions.

Not up for a particularly long hike, I decided to try the shortest ascent possible - the Ledges Trail.

After parking in the small roadside lot, I started up the rather gentle pitch. After maybe half a mile, things steepen up a bit - nothing too bad, however, as the trail as recently seen a decent amount of rerouting via new switchbacks.

After just over a mile, things get interesting, as the trail spends almost half a mile on the side of some very scenic ledges. Again, nothing more than moderate in pitch.

Shortly after the MacKay Pasture Trail junction, there are a few short, steep, ledgy areas that would not be much fun in wet conditions. Just after those is a decent size wild low bush blueberry field - peak season right now!

The views from the summit ledge were hazy - Mt. Washington was visible, but not as impressive as a few months earlier in more favorable temperatures. Climbing up the ladder of the abandoned fire tower, better views were available in all other directions.

The descent was slowed due to some blueberry picking. Good stuff.

Looking down the Ledges Trail toward Moose Pond

 

[Angus]

My family spent our summers in the sebago area as a young kid. "Pleasant" Mtn is the first ski area I ever set foot on. We took the chair lift up and then hiked down - my memories are dim except for the chair lift ride up (my first) and lots of brambles and thorns going down the mtn - had to be the very early 70's - always have wanted to go back - ski but also hike!

 

[Skier75]

That's funny you say that, Angus, my family also spent many summer's up around that area, as well as, the Raymond/Casco area. We're from South Portland and my dad always rented a camp for two weeks out of the summer on Thomas Pond in South Casco. We rented camps from South Casco up through Bridgton all over the place, great fun! I've been up Pleasant Mtn hiking quite a few times. We used to like to take the Old Fire Wardens trail from 302.

If you don't know the area, this trail can be missed. It's Warren Rd off 302, a little different trail than the ledges trail. I've been up both sides, not sure which I like better. Where the ledges gives you some great views, the Wardens trail seems a little bit more secluded. Well it was the last time I was there, which has been quite a few years. We took a church group up there some years ago when my daughter was going to parochial school. Sorry I got off on a tanget here. It just brings back a lot of great memories of the area.

 

[threecy]

The Fire Wardens Trail is fairly visible from the dirt road (the gate), but it is easy to go the wrong way at the fork in the trail (look for a sign on a tree to the left). It's a bit more secluded, but in my opinion the Ledges Trail is much more enjoyable/scenic.

 

[Skier75]

That's true, Threecy, It's just that when I first started doing (minor) hiking that's the first one(Fire Wardens Trail), that I did. I just remember that going up 302 from Bridgton I'd almost always miss the left onto Warren Road and have to turn around..... But as far as views go, yes I agree that's a more scenic route.