Late Summer Visit to Katahdin Iron Works and Gulf Hagas [GALLERY]

Venturing the Maine mountains can be treacherous but quite inspiring.  I took to the North of Maine to the Katahdin Iron Works region and took a day trip to the exhausting and awe-inspiring Gulf Hagas area, filled with tall fjords, waterfalls and tricky hiking paths.

Off of an unassuming Route 11 in the town of Prairie, Maine, a small town filled with large and worked grain fields, you will find the Katahdin Iron Works road, also called Ebeemee Road.

After, some time venturing the dirt roads, rolling hills and occasional water views, you'll come across a historical spot that held quite a spot of the economical and cultural impact of Maine of yesteryear.  The Katahdin Iron Works State Historical Site seems like an archeological wonder where a bustling town that thrived on creating iron only exists now in a few of its old buildings that look straight out of a medieval movie.  At the site are a smelting building and a kiln whose sizes seem impressive when you think about how long ago they were used and that their were many more buildings than that when the Iron Works was running at its peak.

Across from the historical site, you check-in at the visitor building to get your passes and paperwork for your trip, for the day or a booked site for an extended stay.

Following the road we made it to the parking area where we started at the most eastern part of the Gulf Hagas trail, which intersects with the Appalachian Trail.  We Forded Pleasant River, which required taking shoes off to get across the river.  We followed the Rim Trail which lead us to see some great views, like the Hermitage, Screw Auger Falls, and Hammond Street Pitch.

We came across all kinds of different people and were glad that we came in the late summer/ early autumn so the temperatures were pretty pleasant.  Unfortunately, we didn't get to catch all of the great views on this

Check out more about this adventure with the Gulf Hagas Map provided by NorthWoods.org and check out more about Gulf Hagas and other trails in Maine through MaineTrailFinder.com.

Here's a gallery of the great views I saw on my trip to Gulf Hagas and the Katahdin Iron Works State Historical Site.

Katahdin Iron Works Historical Site: Casting House and Charcoal House

Hiking Gulf Hagas Rim Trail

If there is one guy to chat about when it comes to adventuring in Maine, it's Paul Wolfe from the Z's sister station, Q106.5.

Here's a little something from Paul about his experience exploring Gulf Hagas:

Gulf Hagas, "the Grand Canyon of Maine," is an absolutely beautiful hike. It's one of the few hikes in Maine I don't mind paying a gate fee for. That being said, I have a few tips to get the most hike for your cash.

Wolfe In The Wild Pro Tips:

• To see all that Gulf Hagas has to offer requires a full day of hiking. Some portions of trail require river crossing, rock scrambling, and stamina.
• Only cash or checks are accepted at the checkpoint. Maine residents pay $11 per-person, out of state pay $16 per-person.
• Pack extra socks. As previously mentioned, you will have to wade across the Pleasant River. Water shoes can also come in handy.
• I prefer this hike in May or June. In spring the water is usually roaring through the various falls. Also, less "folks from away."
• Camping and fires are prohibited within the Gulf Hagas area.
• BRING BUG SPRAY. You're welcome.
• Leashed dogs are welcome.
• Numerous websites provide accurate trail maps. Seek these out to plan your hike. There's different ways in which to hike the trail system, some are more strenuous than others. Here's a great map, with more tips, from NorthMaineWoods.org. North Maine Woods Inc. manages the Gulf Hagas area.

Keep these falls and trail system beautiful by carrying out all trash.