Hiking in August 

The question we hear most often from folks who stop into the Destination Moosehead Lake Visitor Center is, “Where can I see a moose?” We happily direct those seekers to our highly knowledgeable and experienced safari guides, who provide an almost 100% satisfaction rate.

The second most common question is about hiking in the Moosehead Lake Region. It’s no surprise—our mountains and surrounding wilderness are among the area’s most popular attractions and one of the top reasons visitors come to Moosehead Lake.

I’ve been hiking for over fifty years, and most of those years have been spent on the trails around Moosehead Lake. When people learn that, they often ask for my most important piece of advice. My answer is simple:

“Keep a journal.”

I usually pause and let their surprised expression settle. I know they expected to hear a bit of safety advice, so I explain, “Safety is assumed. Preparedness and awareness are too fundamental to list as tips. But a journal—that’s a different story! Trust me, years from now, without a journal entry you won’t remember exactly when you hiked a particular mountain, what the weather was like, who (or what) you encountered along the way. And even if you remember a few details, you won’t remember the year, the trail, the hiking partner, which wildflower made you smile—or which mushroom made you wonder whether it was beneficial or lethal.”

I have spent many pleasurable hours on top of a mountain, the world before me, putting my thoughts and experiences on paper. I am eternally grateful for fifty years of hiking adventures, but I am just as thankful that I kept a journal of those adventures so I can revisit them whenever the urge arises, yet the memory of the details fails.

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Hike in the Moosehead Lake Region in August!

The word “August” originates from the Latin Augustus, a title meaning “venerable” or “esteemed”. The Latin term itself is related to augere, meaning “to increase” or “to make great”. As an adjective, “august” in English came to mean majestic, dignified. These terms were originally related to describing the first Roman emperor, Augustus Caesar,[i] however, I think those definitions also describe hiking the Moosehead Lake Region’s mountains, so August is the perfect time to get up here and out there. Our mountains are venerable, esteemed, great, majestic, and dignified.

In August, the trails are dry, the air is warm but never oppressive, and the long daylight feels like an invitation rather than a challenge. Every climb becomes an act of augere — to increase, to make great — because with each step you rise into wider views, deeper stillness, and a sense of grandeur that belongs wholly to August in Moosehead.

You’ll find a wealth of regional hiking information on our Destination Moosehead Lake website’s hiking page, Hiking – Destination Moosehead Lake, including the very popular and highly rewarding Moosehead Pinnacle Pursuit. I encourage you to experience each and every one of those hikes, but I want to share a few of our lesser‑known hikes—trails that are just as spectacular as the well‑known ones, equally challenging, and offering unforgettable views of the region’s landscape. I won’t promise that these trails will be yours alone to wander, but they are typically not as busy as the more well-known hikes.

I’ve hiked each of these mountains and because the details are in my journals, my stories won’t end. So put on your boots, grab your journal, don’t forget your pen… and get out there.

Here is all the information you need to plan your stay in the Moosehead Lake Region: Destination Moosehead Lake – Destination Moosehead Lake and Stay Archives – Destination Moosehead Lake

One more bit of advice: Stop into the Visitor Center located just south of town at 480 Moosehead Lake Road for maps and information!