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Caribou Mountain Loop

Summit Ledges on Caribou Mountain, seen from Speckled Mountain
Summit Ledges on Caribou Mountain, seen from Speckled Mountain

Caribou Mountain (2840′) is the second highest peak in the Caribou-Speckled Mountain Wilderness, in the portion of the White Mountain National Forest in the state of Maine. It has a bare summit with open ledges and excellent views.

The best way to hike Caribou Mountain is up the Mud Brook Trail and down the Caribou Trail. Both trails share the same parking lot off Rt. 113 making a loop hike very convenient. Seven miles in length. I’d classify this as a moderate hike with 1900 feet of elevation and an estimated hike time of 5 hours.

Caribou Mountain Loop

I recently led a loop hike up Caribou Mountain for the Appalachian Mountain Club’s Cold River Camp, a rustic volunteer managed hiking camp in nearby Evans Notch. Hikers and their families usually visit Cold River Camp for a week at a time and hike everyday or participate in the many daily activities offered by the camp.

The Mud Brook Trail climbs Caribou Mountain gradually
The Mud Brook Trail climbs Caribou Mountain gradually
 Our group hiked Caribou Mountain the day after two inches of rain, so the streams adjacent to the trails were running a bit high. Several stream crossings are required when hiking the Mud Brook and Caribou Trails and there’s a very good chance you’ll come away from the hike with wet socks and wet shoes. I wouldn’t recommend taking your boots and socks off at the water crossings, though: there’s simply too great a risk of injuring your toes and feet in stream crossings where you can’t see the rocky stream bottoms.
The Mud Brook Trail is very pleasant and climbs gradually making this a good hike for young and old alike. The trail runs within earshot of a nice stream with an abundance of hobblebush and fern growing by the trail.
Alpine Zone Sign
Alpine Zone Sign
As you near the summit ledges, one encounters an Alpine Zone sign. Many of the plants on the summit ledges have a very short growing season since this part of the White Mountains experiences such a long winter. They only have a few months to grow and reproduce, so it’s important to stay on the trails (marked with rock cairns) and not to trample the sensitive flowers and above treeline vegetation.
Ed strolls across the summit ledges of Caribou Mountain
Ed strolls across the summit ledges of Caribou Mountain
While the Evans Notch area of the White Mountains does not have any 4000 footers, it more than makes up for it with an abundance of open summits with fantastic views. The Baldfaces, Speckled Mountain, East and West Royce, Blueberry Ridge: the number of mountains with views west to Mt Washington and north and east to Maine is truly magnificent.
Hanging out on the Caribou Mountain Summit
Hanging out on the Caribou Mountain Summit

The Mud Brook Trail continues over the summit and descents to the Caribou Trail passing the site of the old Caribou Shelter, now removed, before arriving at the trail junction for the Caribou Trail. To return to the trail head parking lot turn left (west).

Blow downs near the Caribou Trail - Mud Brook Trail intersection
Blow downs near the Caribou Trail – Mud Brook Trail intersection

There are numerous blowdowns (mostly branches, not trees) just past the trail junction, but these are easy to walk around. The trail goes “down” and is easy to acquire if you lose sight of it under the tree branches.

Cascades on the Caribu Trail
Cascades on the Caribou Trail
Waterfall on Caribou Trail feeder stream
Waterfall on Caribou Trail feeder stream

After a steep descent, you arrive at a section of trail that runs adjacent to many cascades and waterfalls. These are a delight after a rain when the water channels are full.

The final unbridged stream crossing
The final unbridged stream crossing

The trail widens as you descend, joining an old logging road before arriving at a final unbridged stream crossing. Judging by the bridge abutments on both sides of the trail, the bridge was washed out by past flooding. But do not fret, your car is in the nearby parking lot and perhaps a fresh pair of socks awaits.

Trail mileage breakdown:

  • Mud Brook Trail: 3.4 miles w/ 1900′ elevation gain
  • Caribou Trail: 3.0 miles w/ 0′ elevation gain

Total distance: 6.4 miles w/ 1900′ elevation gain

Recommended Guidebooks and Maps:

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8 comments

  1. Hello! Could you send me some one nighters in the white mountains?

  2. What are camping opportunities like out there? Looking to do an overnight there starting at the Bog Rd trailhead. Are there any established sites and if not an area that would be good for dispersed camping. I hammock camp so site selection is easier. Looking to do the full loop as I continue my redline quest.

  3. Hi Phil – How do I download the map of Caribou Mountain? I Know – I know. I did not get many opportunities to practice as helping plan my son’s wedding this coming weekend at Hardy Farm in Fryeburg,Maine, planning a 3 day backpack this past weekend with Carin on the Grafton Loop Trail(WOW! And God for the weather we had!) and getting ready for my trip to Peru to do the Machu Picchu Inca Trail on 9-2-18

  4. I figured it out.

  5. First time hiking here I had a bear cross right in front of me. Loved the waterfalls . Looking forward hiking partners in this area

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