Hike Report – Sabattus Mt – 22 August Seven Denmark Mountain Hikers left the church, drove to Lovell and joined fifteen other hikers at the Sabattus Mountain trailhead on a crisp, sunny fall-like morning.
Hiking today were Jeff Sturgis, Greg Moulton, Dennis and Fran Wylder, Robin Marciello, Kathy Huchthausen, John Patrick, Tom Dugas, Susan Sedita, Mary Lou Moulton, Jane Gibbons, Ginny Haase, Jean Murch, Kathryn Krupa, Sandra Bell, Dale and Kitty Nelson, Sonya Porter, Carol Strozewski, Paul Tworog, Bob Muzzerall and Mary McEvoy. Dale volunteered to be the leader and John was the sweep.
After our group picture, we headed counterclockwise up the loop trail at 9:30 am. The entire loop is 1.4 miles with an elevation gain of a little over 600’. The trail rose moderately through a mixed forest and as we climbed, the temperature rose steadily from the low 60’s into the comfortable 70’s. By 10:05 am almost everyone had reached the large open ledge that exists on the western side of the summit ridge. The outlook has great views to the southwest towards Pleasant Mountain, and if you go out to the western edge of the ridge, the views swing around almost 270° towards the whites and Mt. Washington. We spent over 1/2 hour enjoying the views, socializing and snacking. This was a popular hiking day as we met several young families enjoying the mountain along with us. After our (shady) summit picture, we headed down around 10:40 am with a few of us taking a short spur to view and large erratic just a little ways off the trail. The descent was uneventful as we covered the distance in about 35 minutes arriving at the parking lot at 11:15 am. It was a very pleasant outing since that the weather had moderated considerably from the heat of last week.
The mountain was named for Sabattus, a Pequawket (or Anasagunticook) Indian who was the chief of the tribe living in the area before settlers arrived. He is known for killing a lynx with one shot as it was about to attack him in the 1700s, and his name is also linked to Jean Baptist. The mountain itself is known for its views from the summit, with the trail being maintained by the Greater Lovell Land Trust in partnership with the state.
Upcoming Hike Schedule
August 29 – No hike, Labor Day weekend
September 5 – DMH Organizational Meeting at the church at 9:00 am followed
by a hike to Pismire Bluff in Raymond
September 12 – Bald Pate, Bridgton to Schor/Bloom house on Peabody Pond –
pot luck.
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