Bald Pate Mountain in Bridgton a perfect hike for everyone

Loon Echo Land Trust manages Bald
Pate Mountain Preserve featuring an
extensive network of clearly labeled
trails that allow hikers to choose a
different path to the top of the
mountain each time they visit.
PHOTO BY BRIANA BIZIER  

By Briana Bizier

Whether you’re entertaining out-of-town guests, trying to keep children from climbing the walls during the last month of vacation, or just looking for a new perspective on our little corner of the world, taking a hike is a great way to enjoy the Pine Tree State’s glorious summer. And Bald Pate Mountain in Bridgton just might be the perfect place for a hike.

Protected by Loon Echo Land Trust, Bald Pate Mountain Preserve contains 486 acres of forest, mountains, streams, and several dozen breathtaking views. Loon Echo maintains an extensive network of clearly labeled trails that thread through 6.7 miles, allowing visitors to choose a different path to the top of the mountain every time they visit. These trails are accessed via two different parking areas; the main parking lot is found off of Route 107, while a smaller lot off Moose Pond Cove Road allows access to the Micah Trail.

The first time our family visited Bald Pate, I let the children choose our route. This is a strategy that most experienced outdoor leaders would probably discourage. My two hiking assistants looked at the map on Loon Echo’s website and promptly chose the shortest, steepest route, the Pate Trail, which is only 0.2 miles long. While the Pate Trail appears to be a smooth, green line on the map, Loon Echo’s website advises that route is “steep, use caution.” I warned the children that their chosen trail would be quite a climb. My small hiking partners, equipped with Jolly Ranchers and beef jerky, were not deterred.

To access the Pate Trail, we parked at the smaller lot off Moose Pond Cove Road and followed the Micah Trail through a half-mile of lovely beech forest. The trail crosses a small stream and features a boardwalk over parts that could become muddy. This early section of the trail was smooth enough to lull me into a false sense of confidence about allowing small children to determine our route.The Micah Trail branches at a clearly labeled intersection where it connects to the South Face Loop Trail. A left here brought us to the beginning of the Pate Trail, which leads directly up the face of the mountain. Directly up. Fortunately, this trail is short, and it offers plenty of spots to stop and admire the views while gasping for air. Also, after scrambling up the Pate Trail to the 1,150-foot summit of Bald Pate, we all truly felt like we’d earned the views from the top.

And those views are spectacular. From the summit, the White Mountains stretch off into the north and west while Sebago Lake sparkles in the south. My daughter and I tried to pinpoint the location of our house while my son insisted that we take him swimming in every lake we could see.

In addition to the jaw-dropping views, the mountaintop is also quite fascinating in its own right. Bald Pate’s summit is home to a unique and ancient pitch pine habitat, which gives the mountain’s top a distinctly different feel from the gentle birch forests that surround the Micah Trail.

For our descent, I decided to give my creaky adult knees a break by leading the family down the South Face Loop Trail, which offers a much gentler route than the Pate Trail. For half a mile, the eastern arm of the South Face Loop meanders down the mountain, through wildflowers, blueberries, and pitch pines, offering glimpses of the lakes and forest below until it rejoins the Micah Trail. This section is smooth and gentle, a welcome respite from the strenuous Pate Trail, and it would be delightful even for the youngest hikers.

The Bob Chase Loop Trail, which begins at the main parking lot off of Route 107, offers an even smoother route to the top of Bald Pate. It begins on a wide dirt road and leads to the spectacular summit with a modicum of effort. The Bob Chase Loop connects to several other trails, so experienced hikers, or those hiking without small children, could easily travel every route through the nature preserve in a day. 

We’ve since returned to Bald Pate Mountain Preserve several times, and we’ve hiked the entire South Face Loop from the Micah Trail. This trail is my new must-do for visitors from out of state. It’s an unforgettable introduction to the woods and mountains of Maine as it leads hikers through a young beech forest, past craggy glacial erratic boulders, through wild blueberry bushes on the mountain’s shoulders, and finally, gently, to the summit with its amazing views. At just under two miles, the South Face Loop Trail can be enjoyed in an afternoon while still leaving plenty of time for ice cream and a swim afterward.

If you are considering hiking any trails, please prepare accordingly. Make sure you bring water and snacks, be aware of the weather forecast, stick to the trails, and carry out everything you brought in, trash and children included. The main parking area for Bald Pate Mountain is located off of Route 107 in South Bridgton, 0.4 miles from Five Fields Farm if you are headed south on 107. The Micah trailhead is accessed from a small parking area located on Moose Pond Cove Road, also off of Route 107. Maps, directions, and more information can be found on the Loon Echo Land Trust’s website: https://www.loonecholandtrust.org. <