1-minute hike: East Chairback Pond near Brownville, Maine

Difficulty: Moderate. The trail reaches an elevation of 1,515 feet above sea level in about 1.5 miles. The overall trip is a little less than 3 miles up and down from West Branch Pleasant River parking lot in Katahdin Iron Works.

How to get there: Drive north on Route 11 and turn left (west) on the Katahdin Iron Works Road, a little less than 4 miles north of Brownville Junction. There will be a sign to Katahdin Iron Works just before the turn. Follow this toad 6.8 miles to the gatehouse, where you register and pay a small gate fee. Beyond the gate, take the right fork. About 3.4 miles from the gate, the road reaches a second fork. Stay left here. The road reaches the trailhead parking area about 6.8 miles from the gate. At about 0.2 miles, the trail reaches the West Branch of Pleasant River, where you turn left and follow the Appalachian Trail (white blazes) south about 1.5 miles, directed by signs to the left at one fork and right at a second fork, to East Chairback Pond.

Information: East Chairback Pond is 1,515 feet above sea level on way to the summit of Chairback Mountain, elevation of about 2,180 feet. The pond is reached by hiking on the Appalachian Trail and taking a 0.25-mile side trail, which is well-marked by a sign and cairn at the trail junction.

Personal Note: The trail is flat at first and then climbs steadily after the first trail junction (where you turn left). It’s a good, short workout for any hiker.

Aislinn Sarnacki

About Aislinn Sarnacki

Aislinn is a Bangor Daily News reporter for the Outdoors pages, focusing on outdoor recreation and Maine wildlife. Visit her main blog at actoutwithaislinn.bangordailynews.com.