Day One (13.4 miles; Moderate to Difficult Hike):

I started at the AT cross at South Arm Road and ascended a steep 2,250 incline up the Black Brook Notch to Old Blue Mountain which is the highest of the peaks in the Bemis Mountain Range, averaging an elevation of 3500 ft. The trail then steeply descends, following a mild dip for a mile before a brief 350 foot ascent to Elephant Mountain. This follows with another mild descent before a 500 foot, one mile climb up Bemis Mountain. You will encounter another steep 550 foot, one mile descent to third peak, quickly followed by a half mile descent to the Bemis Mountain Lean-to, about 4.5 miles from ME 17 where hikers can enjoy a rest and the use of a privy. Long stretches of connecting ledges afford views of the Rangeley chain of lakes and most of the major peaks of Western Maine. After a wet, rocky and root filled three mile hike that brings you mostly along the ridgeline past second peak and a 400 foot descent to first peak, there is a steep descent and hikers will cross the old railroad grade of Rumford Falls and Rangeley Lakes Railroad (circa 1930) which serviced Oquossoc. After which the trail crosses the Bemis Stream, splitting around a small island. Hikers should expect to ford the stream twice on either side of a small island. The Bemis Stream Trail was the original Appalachian Trail, but the A.T. was relocation between 1953 and 1964 up to the Bemis Mountain ridge where it is today. Once you think it is over, think again. There is a final, 650 foot, half-mile ascent to the parking area. It took me 9 hours to complete this hike, and in October, I completed the last stretch by moonlight!

Day Two (13.1 miles; Easy to Moderate Hike):

To reach trail on Rt. 17, travel 11.1 miles south from Oquossoc. The trail from Rt. 17 to Rt. 4 is approximately 13 miles. It is moderate hiking, with no significantly steep sections. Four miles from Rt. 17 is Sabbath Day Pond and shelter. After you pass the Houghton Fire Road, you will encounter your only significant ascent of approximately 500 feet and will cross a power line after a little more than a mile of hiking. You will then follow a slow descent for about three miles until you reach the Little Swift River Pond Campsite. Not far from here is where I spotted the Fisher and also a Great Horned Owl skunk kill site. From this point, you will have slightly under five miles of mostly downward hiking to Route 4, which is approximately 9 miles south from the center of Rangeley. It is a lovely, easy hike that took me about 6 hours.