I woke up the other day and decided it was time to head north and climb good ‘ole faithful Borestone Mountain. I have Climbed Borestone many times as a young child and teenager but have some how slacked off on climbing the mountain much since then. It was time to get back to my roots (so they say) and start climbing the mountains I used to when I was younger.
The travel north up to Monson and Elliotsville early that morning gave me plenty of chances to see a few rabbits and deer along the way.

Shortly before reaching the parking area for Borestone, I crossed the railroad tracks and was a little saddened and disappointed in the shape of the building by the tracks. Last time I had been here the building was in working order and looked pretty good. I guess it goes to show how long it has been since I was last here. I have heard the tracks are still alive with traveling trains but that they only pass through once a day now instead of the 6-10 times per day they used to.

After I found a spot to park and made my way to the start of the road leading up to the pond, I saw that there was now a new trail.
Before you was to walk the roughly 1 mile hike to the “half-way” point (the pond) by following a windy twisty gravel road that was no longer open to vehicles. It was a fair enough incline but was not all that challenging. Not what you would expect when you are climbing a mountain. Apparently the people of the Audubon Society felt the same way and either raised enough money and volunteers to cut out a new trail from the base (parking lot) to the pond.

Eager to start my journey I struck off up the new trail. The trail was nicely marked and I was in high spirits. Well, was until about 5 minutes into the hike. Then my legs started screaming at me that they needed more oxygen to their muscles, but my lungs were screaming at me at the same time for more oxygen intake. All this time my heart is pumping away screaming “I’ve given her all she got captain!” (ya just have to love Star Trek for their catch phrases) My body was reminding me again that I’m not as young as I once was and I need to stretch before starting the hike next time.

After I got into the right pace and my body decided it could live with this new style of “living” The rest of the hike to the pond was actually enjoyable. Along the way I met a couple of people that were taking some memory pictures of themselves to record their vacation time up here in Maine from Mass. I stood their and we swapped some adventure stories and they asked me about any other local hiking areas nearby. I told them about little Wilson Falls and also about Onawa Trestle. Both which I plan to visit again this year.

Soon I made it to the pond which is called Sunrise Pond. There I went into the information building and paid my $fee and talked to the gentleman behind the counter. “nice new trail you guys have coming up from the base” I said. He looked at me a little funny and then preceded to inform me that the trail had been there for at least 10 years. well, that just goes to show you it had been a long time since my last hike up Borestone Mountain.

I asked him if they were still releasing peregrine falcons in the area and he said not as much as they used to. It seemed that the peregrine falcons they had released in the past never came back. When I looked across the pond towards the summit I saw there were plenty of Turkey buzzards flying around the bare rocks near the peak. Without thinking, I reached into my pocket and grasped my camera as I hoped I would be able to capture a cool photo of one in flight once I made it to the top.

After I left the information center, I hit the trail and it took me half way around the shore of Sunrise pond. there it heads uphill towards the summit. More rocky climbing ahead, but yet it is still easy enough for the whole family. After a couple of places to stop and catch my breath I made it to the summit.

It was there while taking in the beauty of the scenic view, a woman appeared from the trail and asked me if I drove a ford.
Needless to say it caught me by surprise. Why would the first thing a hiker say to another be a question about what they drive? I told her yes and she asked me if I had lost my keys. Without thinking I immediately reached into my pocket to grasp my keys. They were not there. Sure enough she held up he new found keys and they strangely looked like mine. Yikes!

She told me her and her husband found them in a crevice between the last part of the rocky climb. She was happy to have found the owner. As I was very happy to have received my keys. She had said she had planned on turning them into the information building at the half way point if she had not found who they belonged to. They were such a nice couple. We chatted for awhile and then we went our separate ways and I continued on to the second summit.

On the second summit I could see Onawa Lake and Onawa Trestle. Unfortunately you can not see moosehead lake or Katadin Mountain, thanks to Barren mountain being in the way.

I then proceeded to head my way back off the mountain. I wanted to check out little greenwood, which I chose to visit on the way down rather then the way up. To easily reach the over look, at sunrise pond I opted to follow the gravel road towards the parking lot instead of following the hiking trail.

It seemed to be about half way point of the road is where there is a trail that cuts off to the little greenwood overlook. Here it quickly reminds you that even if you don’t feel like you have climbed or hiked up very much that you are still a lot higher then little greenwood.

After having a light lunch break I continued on to the parking lot and headed to Onawa. After all, there was a trestle I wanted to cross.

Here is a youtube video I made of the view from the summit of Borestone Mountain.