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Carey Kish
Carey Kish of Mount Desert Island has been adventuring in the woods and mountains of Maine for, well, a long time. If there’s a trail—be it on dirt, rock, snow, water or pavement—he will find it, explore it, and write about it. Carey is a two-time Appalachian Trail thru-hiker, Registered Maine Guide, author of AMC’s Best Day Hikes Along the Maine Coast, editor of the AMC Maine Mountain Guide (10th ed.), and has written a hiking & camping column for the Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram since 2003. Follow his outdoor travels and musings here, and on Facebook/CareyKish. Let Carey know what you think at MaineOutdoors@aol.com.
Hiking: Caribou Mountain a top pick for Maine’s best mountain day hike
Caribou Mountain in Evans Notch has been a favorite hike of this hiker for decades now, it having all the elements of the perfect day on the trail. I outlined what makes this half-day trek so great in a recent Maine Sunday Telegram Outdoors column, “Hiking in Maine: Caribou Mountain offers a wonderful day hike.”
I was up that way in late August, having waited for the perfect late summer weather day to do what I consider the perfect day hike in the western mountains. I don’t mind hiking in bad weather, don’t get me wrong. Done plenty of that. But there’s something about Caribou that always has me going on just the right day.
My latest trip, of course, was made at the height of summer green. Now, however, the mountain will be cloaked in autumn colors. Sure, peak in that region was a couple weeks ago, but it’ll still be plenty nice. So pick a nice day and get on up to Caribou Mountain for a really unforgettable day in the Maine outdoors.
Check out my photos from the trip below and enjoy!
By the way, because I’m lazy about camping sometimes, when I’m in the Bethel area I often spend the night at the Bethel Youth Hostel. It’s a heckuva bargain for $25. The place is a hoot and the owners are wonderful. Check it out.
Any good day hike should end with a cold beer and some good chow. So when I’m here I like to go to Suds Pub in Bethel village. Always fun, plenty of good beer to choose from and some mighty fine pizza to boot. Yeah!
The Caribou Mountain loop hike combines Caribou and Mud Brook trails. Photo © Carey Kish.
Caribou Mountain is located in the 14,000-acre Caribou-Speckled Mountain Wilderness. Photo © Carey Kish.
Kees Falls on Morrison Brook is a lovely 25-foot cascade. Photo © Carey Kish.
The Caribou summit offers grand views of the White Mountains. Photo © Carey Kish.
And the Mahoosucs… Photo © Carey Kish.
And south to Pleasant Mountain… Photo © Carey Kish.
The descent of Caribou follows Mud Brook. Photo © Carey Kish.
The AMC Maine Mountain Guide is a great resource for hiking Caribou and the other peaks in and around Evans Notch. Photo © Carey Kish.
While your in the Evans Notch region, check out some of the other sights, like Basin Pond. Photo © Carey Kish.
The classic sign on Route 113. Photo © Carey Kish.
The Bethel Youth Hostel is a comfortable and inexpensive place to spend the night. Photo © Carey Kish.
Suds Pub in Bethel has terrific post-hike beer and chow. Photo © Carey Kish.
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