Denmark Mountain Hikers

February 6 Pleasant Mt, Firewarden’s Trail, Denmark, ME
This is a moderate hike, conditions depending, 1500 feet elevation gain to summit. 2.5 miles each way, Estimated hiking time 4 hours.

Trailhead directions

The Firewarden’s Trail is on the western side of Mt. Pleasant (as is the SW Ridge Trail.) Allen’s book describes it as a moderately difficult hike. It is 2.5 miles up to the summit and he estimated that it was a four hour round trip climb with 1500 feet of elevation gain.  This is one of the most popular trails on the mountain, so our hope is that the trail might be well packed before we attempt it. Snowmobile use is allowed in the winter so we maye a well packed trail. A lot will depend on the weather between now and then. The trailhead parking lot address is: 321 Warren Rd, Denmark, ME 04022

At 2,000 feet, Pleasant Mountain is the highest thing in southern Maine making it one of the defining features of the Sebago Lakes Region, after the lake of course.  There are few local summits that we climb that don’t offer a view of some angle of Pleasant Mountain. Of course as the ski area is lite up at night during the winter, it’s hard to miss. And, being in Denmark, we Denmark Mountain Hikers have every reason to feel somewhat possessive of the place.

Loon Echo Land Trust (LELT) owns 2,064 acres on the mountain plus protects another 24 ares through a conservation easement.  LELT manages the 10-mile hiking network on the mountain.  Most of the land that the Ledges, Bald Peak and Southwest Ridge Trails are on is owned by LELT.  The land trust has agreements in place with the four private landowners allowing LELT to maintain and improve the trails on trails that they do not own.  Hikers should remember that we  are guests as we use  these trails,  Although maintained by LELT, the Firewarden’s trail is on private land.

The Firewarden trail leads to Pleasant Mountain’s summit from the northwest via Wilton Warren Road. The trail is blazed with red markers and has a 1,500 foot elevation gain. Maintained by LELT, it is located on private land and public access is allowed by a generous landowner.

Across the street from the trail head, which feels like a relatively remote spot, one should notice this rather classic looking Victorian house:

Once upon a time there was a hotel on the summit of Pleasant Mountain;

According to the Portland Press Herald (June 12, 2020):

“A two-story hotel featuring a bowling alley opened on top of Pleasant Mountain in 1850. Visitors had the option of walking or riding up by horse-drawn carriage on a carriage road. The original building burned in 1860 and was replaced in 1872, but the hotel did not prosper and was closed for much of the 1880s and 1890s. It was renovated and reopened in 1901, complete with a telephone. Unfortunately, it still was not profitable and in 1908 it was sold to John Pike, who salvaged the lumber and used it to build his farm in East Fryeburg.”

Across the street from the trail head, which might seem relatively remote, one should take notice of this rather classic looking Victorian house:

“”

The house was built around 1882 for the Warren Family, descendants of one of the first settlers in the town. Caleb Warren Jr., is likely responsible for this house, which served as a base lodge for the hotel once located at the summit. In 1845, Caleb Sr. built the first guesthouse atop the 2,200′ mountain, which was purchased just years later by a Joseph A. Sargent. Sargent converted the old hotel into a bowling alley and built a new hotel at the summit. That structure burned down and was replaced in 1873.  [links to historical society newsletter…. More information about the hotel is on page 8] The buildings at the summit were eventually purchased and demolished by 1908 when the mountain was sold to the Appalachian Mountain Club. This house apparently served as a base lodge for the mountaintop hotel, and was where visitors could depart by foot or wagon to the summit. The house is now a single-family home today.

Feb 3, 2026 additions: Since I posted this information, I hhave received an informative email from Jon Evans that provides additional information about the Firewarden’s Trail. Not having a better idea of where to save such information it will get pasted below:

‘The trail is owned by the Warren Trust and members of the Warren family. Loon Echo has had permission to use the trail for about 20 years. We have invested significant money into improving drainage and oversight. We share the trail with the Fryeburg Snowmobile Club, they groom to the lookout tower when conditions allow. You may find a groomed trail! Micro spikes and snowshoes should be on hand.  The Warren family logs the property about every 6 or 7 years, this past year they made huge changes to the landscape which people were very concerned about as we got many angry emails and phone calls from people not knowing that we re not the owners. It’s about 3 miles and takes a couple hours to ascend. The road originally led to the summit hotel called the Pleasant Mountain House. You could check in at the yellow farm and get a coach ride to the summit if you dared, many walked. The first rendition was built around the 1870’s, burned down and was rebuilt with a 21 room version, complete with phone and a bowling alley. The occasion was marked by a 70 piece band which trekked up to the summit, base drums, tubas and all. After the turn of the last century, the hotel was closed due to low use, issues with vandalism etc. Around 1908 it was sold, disassembled and trundled back down the mountain. The Unites States Life Saving Service erected a large silver object at this site that was used to reflect sunlight to be observed by ships offshore. It was for bearing along the Maine Coast. I can possibly get more info on that. After that, the Forest Service erected the lookout tower which was 20 feet taller than now. It was used to look for forest fires and during the 30’s and 40’s, to watch for German aircraft. 

The State of Maine owns 22 acres where the Tower is, LELT owns land to southeast, east and northeast. I have been working with the Ranger Service to have a presence there. In my 18 years of oversite, the cabin has been breached once around 2021. I want the State to repair the cabin and offer tours a few times a year with the help of LELT volunteer Rangers. Don’t hold your breath. ‘ (Jon Evans via email 2/2/2026)