History: This peak was named for Rev. Edward Hale, son of Nathan Hale, a pastor, poet, writer and philanthropist. I have found out that he was also a mountaineer who made the first recorded ascent of the Northern peaks of Katahdin back in 1845.
Peak Elevation: 4055 ft
Elevation Gain: 2276 ft
Trail: Hale Brook Trail
Length: 4.4 mi
Time on Trail : 0900
Time off Trail: 1230
Mount Hale’s Hale Brook Trail was nice and easy grading the whole way with great footing. Some trails kind of drag on and on, but this one wasn’t quite there due to the 2.2 mile length to the summit. The summit must have been more clear-cut in the past, as there is evidence of a watch tower up there, as seen in my photos. There is also a large pile of rocks that I refuse to call a cairn at the summit – I wonder if this was part of the foundation of the aforementioned fire tower. From the top of that pile you can see the tops of the remainder of the Twin Range. Aside from that there is not much else norteworthy about this summit. After a snack I went back down.
On my way up I passed a small group of hikers, one of whom was blind. I am not making this up. After I descended I ran into two people from this party, who told me the terrain was too much for the young man without his vision. When I got down to my car I made sure to check on the guy, who had found a picnic table to relax at. I made sure he was good and let him know his party would be rejoining him in about an hour. Zealand road on the way back proved to be a challenge because of the bumpiness – my VW even as stock height and suspension was challenged by this, so I had to drive 10mph or less the entire way back to the bridge before the road is paved again. Aside from that the trailhead was easy to find and leave from.
Photos:
Mt. Hale 27MAY15This post is a backdated entry made in 2017.
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