Moosehead/100-Mile Wilderness

Maine Woods Discovery Package: Explore 100-mile Wilderness
Maine Woods Discovery Host: Appalachian Mountain Club

 

The Moosehead Area takes its name from Moosehead Lake, Maine's largest lake - 40 miles long and dotted with dozens of islands. Among the lake's most dramatic features is the cliff-face of Mount Kineo. Isolated on its peninsula, Mount Kineo was revered by Native Americans; archeological remains suggest that Paleo Indians were mining Kineo’s rhyolite (sharp edges for tools and weapons) before the last glacier fully receded from the land - 12,000 years ago.

During the era of grand hotels, steamboats plied the lake, taking visitors to their respective destinations. Today, visitors can experience what an early-1900s steamboat cruise was like on the S.S. Katahdin, the last surviving steamboat (now converted to diesel), now based in Greenville at the Moosehead Marine Museum.

Originally established as a support post for lumber operations throughout the north woods, Greenville is a great starting point for explorations of the lake and the surrounding north country, including the famed 100-Mile Wilderness region. A variety of local enterprises offer specialty foods and gifts in addition to a number of excellent dining options. Flight services are well-established in Greenville, which boasts New England's largest seaplane base. The annual “Fly-In” is one among many popular local events.

The nearby 100-Mile Wilderness region is named for the northern 100 miles of the Appalachian Trail, which traverses through an area without any towns or paved roads before reaching Katahdin and Baxter State Park. Appalachian Trail hikers must be prepared by carrying enough food and supplies for the entire 100-mile stretch. The region contains remote lakes and ponds, high peaks and cold rivers and streams with many of Maine’s well-known wildlife species including moose, bald eagles, black bear and loons.