Jockey Cap Trail is a fun little hike to take on a cool day after sightseeing along US-302.
Who hasn't hiked to the top of a mountain in Maine and wondered about the peeks in the distance? Jockey Cap has you covered! 😛
There is a small granite pedestal at the top of this baldfaced peak that identifies a 360° view of the surrounding mountains. The beautifully crafted and educational monument is a skillfully designed testament to wonder and persistence of man. I wish there was one of there at the top of every mountain in Maine!
The sculpture also provides some much needed shade on a hot day!
The hike takes less then 15 minutes to the summit to view of the nearby White Mountains.
Take a few moments on the stroll down the mountain to check out this tiny bear worthy cave and other monumental boulders that have fallen off of the rock face over thousands of years.
This is the perfect pit stopping trail for an quick view of the lush surrounding mountains. My advice is to stop at Quinn's country store (at the mouth of the trail, it's impossible to miss) and grabbing a few Sea-dog biscuits before heading up to the peak with a friend!
🖤 Annie
Google Maps:
Here is some more information from Mainetrailfinder.com:
"Turning again, the trail enters deeper woods and begins to climb. Within a few hundred feet the trail passes a forested boulder field at the base of Jockey Cap Rock. Small caves and excellent rock scrambling may be found here. Continuing past this boulder field to the left, the trail winds westward around Jockey Cap and climbs steeply for 0.1 miles before breaking free of tree cover and ascending to the apex of the rock. Jockey Cap Rock is crowned by a monument to Robert E Peary, commonly credited as the first explorer of European descent to reach the North Pole. This monument features a panoramic landscape compass, with every visible summit depicted to scale and aligned for ease of identification. Views to the north, west, and south include the Saco River valley, oft snow-capped peaks in the White Mountains and the town of Fryeburg below."