Maine Appalachian Trail Hiking

The following Maine Appalachian Trail (MAT) blog posts were written on the trail when darkness was falling and the miles logged made 8 PM feel like 2 AM. I did my best to keep my eyelids pried open long enough to jot down rambling thoughts and experiences from the day, and some of them even seem to have come out slightly coherent. I’ve considered editing them (at one point I miscounted the days on the trail), but I’m afraid that would steal the authenticity away. Also included are a few posts geared to helping hikers planning a Maine section hike.

It’s worth noting that adventures on the Maine Appalachian Trail are made possible thanks primarily to the volunteers at the Maine Appalachian Trail Club. Please consider supporting the club to help preserve the trail for future generations.

NH Appalachian Trail Hike: Smart Mountain to Kinsman Notch

by Daren Worcester 125

Section hiking the New Hampshire Appalachian Trail, take two. After our first misadventure on the trail, where we foolishly tackled more than we should have and succumbed to dehydration, we returned to complete Smart Mountain and continue along to conquer Mt. Moosilauke.

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Kids Love the Flume Gorge Nature Walk in Franconia Notch, New Hampshire

by Daren Worcester 6

Let’s first make one thing clear: Flume Gorge is a bonafide nature walk, not a hike. Hiking requires a trail that’s not navigable by a golf cart with at least the threat of breaking a sweat. Not to mention the optional shuttle bus, which shortens the “trek” to .7 of a mile round trip, is an automatic disqualification. As far as nature walks go, Flume Gorge is exceptional.

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NH Appalachian Trail Hike: Connecticut River to Smart Mountain

by Daren Worcester 127

A year after hiking the Maine Appalachian Trail, my brother Brad and I set out to tackle the New Hampshire section. This blog post chronicles our adventure from the southern border crossing over the Connecticut River to Smart Mountain. In between we survived a close encounter with the Hanover wildlife.

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Frozen Krummholz on Mt. Lafayette Old Bridle Path

Winter Hike Mt. Lafayette and the Franconia Ridge Trail

by Daren Worcester 168

It was nine degrees in the Lafayette Place parking lot and the car was getting blasted by wind. At a little past seven on a February morning, I had a good mind to retreat home to the warmth of my down comforter. Fortunately, common sense was in short supply.

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So, you’re going to winter hike Mt. Washington?

by Daren Worcester 436

You can’t sleep. You toss. You turn. Visions of the “world’s worst weather” pummel the sugar plum fairies trying to dance through your head. Bitter cold. Biting winds. Fickly visibility. Winter hiking Mt. Washington—New England’s highest peak at 6,288 feet—is all fun and games with the added disclaimer of avalanche danger.

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A Walk on Maine’s Wild Side: 22 Days Section Hiking the Appalachian Trail

by Daren Worcester 1,024

At 281.4 miles, Maine accounts for only 13 percent of the 2,178.3-mile Appalachian Trail. Statistics, however, are for maps. Ask anyone who has completed the entire trail and they’ll likely tell you Maine is the toughest state of the 14 trail states.

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