Appalachian Trail: Caratunk to Monson

Appalachian Trail between the Kennebec River and Monson

North of the Kennebec River, the Appalachian Trail leaves Caratunk and runs about 37 miles to Monson, at the southern end of the 100-Mile Wilderness. A 2008 trip report on Views from the Top put the section at 36.7 miles. Its main summit is Moxie Bald, which Maine Trail Finder calls the highest point on the AT between Monson and the Kennebec, plus a run of ponds and some of the AT’s trickier fords.

This page covers the walk heading north. Southbound hikers bound for the Kennebec should know the river itself must be crossed by the seasonal canoe ferry; see the Pierce Pond page.

The hike

From Caratunk, the trail climbs toward Pleasant Pond. Maine Trail Finder describes a side trail to Pleasant Pond Lean-to and a 0.2-mile spur to a small sand beach on the pond, then a steep climb over rock ledges to Pleasant Pond Mountain, whose open ledges near the old fire tower site give views in all directions. The trail continues over Middle Mountain and past beaver bogs, then drops to Troutdale Road near Moxie Pond.

Just past the road, the trail fords Baker Stream at Joe’s Hole, a crossing Maine Trail Finder says “may be difficult at high water.” SectionHiker, walking south in October 2010 after about four inches of rain, found it about 30 yards wide; another hiker had reported it waist-high the day before.

From there, Maine Trail Finder describes a moderate climb to Bald Mountain Brook, where a blue-blazed side trail leads to Bald Mountain Brook Lean-to, then a steep pull to Moxie Bald. A foul-weather bypass skirts the exposed summit; the last quarter mile crosses ledges marked by cairns. Backpacker lists the summit at 2,630 feet with views reaching Katahdin, the Bigelows, Sugarloaf, and Abraham, and a 0.7-mile side trail leads to the North Peak, which Maine Trail Finder says looks toward the Moosehead Lake region. The 2008 Views from the Top writer called Moxie Bald “a highlight,” with blueberries along the ridge, and asked hikers to stay on the narrow treadway to protect the plants.

Beyond the mountain, the Moxie Bald Lean-to sits on Bald Mountain Pond; SectionHiker spent a night there, and the 2008 writer heard loons on the pond. The trail then continues toward Monson. Backpacker’s itinerary puts Horseshoe Canyon Lean-to 8.9 miles from the Monson end and suggests time to see the canyon’s 40-foot slate walls.

The big obstacles are the West and East Branches of the Piscataquis River. The 2008 hiker, who is 5-foot-3, found the West Branch the highest and swiftest crossing, reaching the upper thighs, and described the trail as “extremely muddy,” with many blowdowns. In 2010, SectionHiker declined to cross the East Branch after a report of chest-high water and a partly washed-out beaver dam, and got a ride around the rivers instead.

From Monson, the AT continues into the 100-Mile Wilderness.

Tips

Check river levels after heavy rain; fords here can rise quickly.
Cross below beaver dams. SectionHiker warns never to cross on the upstream side of a beaver dam.
Use the foul-weather bypass on Moxie Bald if storms threaten.
Expect mud and wet feet for much of the section.
Plan a shuttle. This is a point-to-point trip between Caratunk and Monson.
Store food carefully. SectionHiker recommends a bear-resistant bag.

Camping

No permit was found for this section. The Appalachian Trail Conservancy’s summary of Maine rules says to camp at designated shelters and campsites when in doubt, allows campfires only at designated sites, and bans camping above treeline. Maine Trail Finder adds that fires are allowed only in the provided fireplace rings and that building a fire elsewhere is illegal in Maine. Lean-tos on this section include Pleasant Pond, Bald Mountain Brook, Moxie Bald (on Bald Mountain Pond), and Horseshoe Canyon. The Maine Appalachian Trail Club maintains the trail.

Inside Intel: No camper accounts recommending a specific lean-to were found. SectionHiker stayed at both Moxie Bald Lean-to and Pleasant Pond Lean-to on his 2010 trip, and Maine Trail Finder points out the sand beach a short walk from the Pleasant Pond Lean-to side trail.

Trail facts

Distance: About 36.7 miles (Views from the Top, 2008)
Route type: Point to point
Difficulty: Moderate to strenuous; fords and mud
Elevation: Moxie Bald, about 2,630 ft (Backpacker)
Campsites: Pleasant Pond, Bald Mountain Brook, Moxie Bald, and Horseshoe Canyon Lean-tos
Water: Frequent ponds and streams; treat all water
Fords: Baker Stream, Bald Mountain Stream, and the West and East Branches of the Piscataquis
Permits: None found
Fires: Only in fireplace rings at established sites
Trailheads: US 201 at Caratunk; Monson; mid-route access at Troutdale Road (Moxie Pond)
Last verified: October 7, 2026

The Lowdown

Thigh-deep on the West Branch Piscataquis:

One hiker found the West Branch of the Piscataquis the highest, swiftest ford here, up to the upper thighs, and another skipped the East Branch after a report of chest-high water. Here's how to cross smarter.

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Where this comes from

This page draws on the sources below, along with other guides and trip reports. Links go to the original pages.

Before you go: This page is based on published trail guides, trip reports, and reviews, along with official park and agency information where we could find it. It’s meant to help backpackers discover new trails, not to replace current, official information. Conditions, closures, permits, campsites, and water sources change, and some details here may be out of date or wrong. Confirm everything with the managing agency and check current conditions before you head out, and don’t rely on this page alone for safety or navigation. Backcountry travel involves risk.