Mount Will - Moxie Falls (ME) 6/13/2026

Mount Will 

Location: Bethel, Maine
Mileage: 3.65 Miles
Elevation Gain: 1005 Feet
Trails Used: Mount Will Trail (North and South Loop), Bushwhack
Views: None from Actual Summit, Several Ledges with 180 Degree Views
Difficulty: Moderate
Hiking Lists: None

We took a three-day mini-Maine vacation to go to Amy's Dads camp in Hingham. Less vaction really as it was to go and spread some of Amy's brother Paul's ashes in places he loved to visit and hunt. We decided we would take our time to drive into Maine from New Hampshire but look for a place to hike before we headed for the Sterling Inn, where we would stay for the night. We stopped a few times for bathroom breaks and to stretch our legs and while doing this, I found a hike nearby that could fit the bill. Not too long, too hard and with views. Mount Will is located in the Bethel Town Forest.

The trailhead parking kiosk off of US Route 2 in Bethel, Maine. There is a decent amount of parking available for this hike.

The junction of the loop hike for the Mount Will Trail. You can go either way; South Cliffs or the North Cliffs. We decided on the South Cliffs for our ascent.

Interpretive sings placed along the Mount Will Trail by a local school group. It is interesting the things you learn sometimes while hiking.

After you hike through a logged-out section of the Mount Will Trail, you head up towards the South Cliffs a bit steeply, but switchbacks help to lessen the uphill.

The views from the South Cliffs on Mount Will, looking towards the town of Bethel and the surrounding mountains.

This information sign just past the South Cliffs didn't say what kind of steps were counted for this. I had us at about 4000 for the hike so far

The actual summit of Mount Will, elevation 1729 feet, required a short and easy bushwhack and was wooded, so no views.

Several peaks (and peeks) looking north as we hike our way over to the North Cliff views

Vernal pool in between the South Cliff and North Cliff areas. These wet areas typically fill with water in the spring and then dry up in summer and good habitat for frogs, turtles and salamanders.

More interpretive signs on the North Cliff side of the Mount Will Trail. I had no clue about the information on both signs.

This sign leads the way to the North Cliff views

North cliff views looking north of course. My knowledge of the peaks in Maine is pretty lacking.

The hike down from the North Cliffs was quick and uneventful, with a few switchbacks to get you down the trail. I think we saw one other person and a dog for the whole loop hike. Overall, not a bad hike with decent views and not very difficult. A perfect late spring/early summer day for a hike.

Moxie Falls

Location: Moxie Gore, Maine
Mileage: 1.8 Miles
Elevation Gain: 150 Feet
Trails Used: Moxie Falls Path
Views: Views from boardwalks around the falls
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Hiking Lists: None

We checked into the Sterling Inn where we were staying Saturday night, and we decided to check out nearby Moxie Falls, which is one of Maine's highest waterfalls, with a single vertical drop of about 90 feet and then get some food. The parking area for the falls is off Lake Moxie Road and is a fairly decent sized lot for cars to park. There was still a slight breeze that helped to keep the bugs at bay for this short hike down to the falls.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                 

Most of the trail down to Moxie Falls is compacted dirt and wide so it was easy to walk down to the falls with not much elevation loss/gain

About a half mile down the trail to Moxie Falls, you come to a wood's road with this welcome sign for the Moxie Falls Scenic Area

                                                                  

From the sign down to Moxie Falls, there are steps and boardwalks that take you down to the falls

       

                                   

                                                                                                            

Moxie Falls from one of the boardwalk viewing areas.

                                                                          

The view of Moxie Falls from above the falls. I tried to get as close as I could get without falling in or hurting myself

A quick walk uphill and back to the car and headed to the Kennebec River Pub and Brewery to get a bite to eat before we headed back to the Inn. It's always nice to see Mother Nature at work and how powerful the running water can be, and these falls were fun to visit.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    

                                                                                                            

Tremper Mountain (NY) 6/27/2026

 Tremper Mountain

Location: Phoenicia, New York
Mileage: 6.4 Miles
Elevation Gain: 1952 Feet
Trails Used: Phoenicia Trail
Views: 360 from Inside the Fire Tower Cab
Difficulty: Moderate
Hiking Lists: Catskill Fire Tower Challenge/Fire Tower Challenge (Adirondack/Catskills)

We made a last-minute decision Friday night to head into New York and finish the last Catskill Fire Tower that we had left to do. Saturday, we made the long drive to the trailhead parking area, so we didn't start hiking until almost 11 am. I was surprised that there weren't more cars when we arrived, so I squeezed into a spot, and we geared up. It was pleasant temperature wise, but the humidity was high but not too bad with a slight breeze. 

Of note, this mountain is on a short list of peaks in the Catskills that has a few dens of timber rattlesnakes in various locations. These snakes are venomous, so keep your kids close and dogs on a leash.

The Catskill Fire Tower Challenge requires you to climb all eight Catskill fire towers between January 1st, 2026, and December 31st, 2026. Tremper Mountain is #7 on the Catskill Fire Tower Challenge and #17 on the Fire Tower Challenge (Adirondacks and Catskills).

The start of the Phoenicia Trail, which is off of Ulster County Route 40. There was parking for about 7-8 cars depending on how you parked.

The start of the Phoenicia Trail beings rather steeply after you cross this bridge and in about a half mile you come to the old jeep road which is the trail to the summit of Tremper Mountain

The Phoenicia Trail has several switchbacks and several steep ,rocky sections, but it never felt tough to hike nor was the trail hard to follow.

Along the Phoenicia Trail, you can see this pile of large rock that looked like a slide but was an old bluestone quarry.

Another section of the Phoenicia Trail, which was a nice easy walk.

The Baldwin Memorial Lean-To, at about 2100 feet. There is a privy nearby as well as a spring about an 1/8 of a mile up the trail. Not much water from the spring today though

View of the Tremper Mountain Fire Tower, through the trees. The fire tower is 47 feet high and was built in 1917 and used until 1971. It was restored for the public in 2001. 

Foundation remains right behind the fire tower on Tremper Mountain, elevation 2730 feet

The views from every direction from the fire tower cab on Tremper Mountain.

We did not see any timber rattlesnakes for the entirety of the hike, sadly. Overall, this was a nice hike that was never too steep or too gentle. We reversed course and made our way back down to the car, passing a few hikers heading up to the summit.

Catskill Fire Tower Challenge complete. Favorite was probably Bramley Mountain or Hunter Mountain, based off of the ease of the hike and views. Least favorite was definitely Overlook Mountain, which we did in the winter, and conditions were horrible and way too many people. It was nice to have a change from the White Mountains in New Hampshire and Adirondacks in New York.

Thompson Hill - Murdough Hill - Little Thompson Hill (NH) 6/12/2026

Thompson Hill

Location: Hillsboro, New Hampshire
Mileage: 4.8 Miles
Elevation Gain: 1388 Feet
Trails Used: Wenny Baker Trail, Bushwhack, Road Walk
Views: None. Large cairns and rock walls
Difficulty: Moderate
Hiking Lists: No Official Lists

I worked the overnight Thursday but was feeling awake so I decided I would go for a quick hike after on Friday Morning. I left work, drove home and grabbed my clothes quick then headed to the trailhead. I had previously hiked Thompson Hill back in June of 2015. I got ready really quick as the bugs were already swarming. There was a threat of rain for the entire hike, but the rain held off until I was done. Boy, was it humid.

The trailhead parking area for the Wenny-Baker Forest and trail to Thompson Hill located off of County Road in Hillsborough. There is room for two to three cars.

The Thompson Hill Trail starts off very easy, but the steep factor soon kicks in and with the high humidity it was a bit of a struggle today

The Thompson Hill Trail levelled off a bit here so was a good chance to slow down to cool down.

 Rock walls galore in the area, and this section runs along the Thomson Hill Trail

One of the interesting rock cairns as you near the summit of Thompson Hill

The actual summit of Thompson Hill, elevation 1780 feet. This is reached by a short herd path from near the viewpoint from the summit area, which on a good day you can see Pats Peak Ski Area and even Mount Monadnock.

I have no more pictures from here on as the rest of the hike from Murdough Hill to Little Thompson Hill was done as a loop bushwhack and with scrappy woods, steep terrain and the horrific swarms of blackflies and mosquitoes and with bad weather moving in, I decided to just get those two peaks done as soon as possible and back to the car before the rain.

Thompson Hill is the highest point in the town of Hillsborough, New Hampshire and is located in the Wenny-Baker Forest.

Moxham Mountain (NY) 5/31/20206

Moxham Mountain

Location: Minerva, New York
Mileage: 5.2 Miles
Elevation Gain: 1080 Feet
Trails Used: Moxham Mountain Trail
Views: 180 from Summit and Several Ledges
Difficulty: Moderate
Hiking Lists: Adk-9 Challenge/Adirondack 29er Challenge

Sunday's hike before we drove back home to New Hampshire. Amy and I stayed in Keene, New York after we hiked Silver Lake Mountain, Cobble Lookout and Panther Mountain on Saturday and we awoke early for the roughly hour-long drive to the trail-head parking area for Moxham Mountain. There is parking for roughly five to six cars if you park the correct way. We got ready super quick as the bugs were already swarming and hungry. We made sure to sign the kiosk logbook, located a few feet up the trail. Always sign in as you never know what might happen when you are hiking.

This Trailhead sign points you in the right direction. It was slightly hidden in the trees and is at the beginning of the Moxham Mountain Trail.

Pink Lady Slippers were abundant along the Moxham Mountain Trail and in numbers I have not seen on any one mountain. I never knew in most states it is illegal to pull them so enjoy them by taking pictures and leaving them where they are.

                        The ledge views started about a mile into the hike along the Moxham Mountain Trail.

More sections of the Moxham Mountain Trail, as it switches from rocks and roots to rock ledges. At no point did it ever get really steep as you climb towards the summit.

                              A view of nearby Gore Mountain, which is New York's largest ski area and is owned by the State of New York.

A lone patch of Wild Columbine just before the summit of Moxham Mountain

View from ledges looking towards the summit of Moxham Mountain

More views from one of the eleven ledge outcrops just below the summit of Moxham Mountain and looking back down the ridge we climbed up from.

Cloudy views today as we stand on the summit of Moxham Mountain, elevation 2461

Overall, this was a nice hike. There was one water crossing to deal with which was easy, and one muddy section, and the bugs were a nuisance, but we managed good time on our way back to the car. I think we passed about 10 people and a few dogs heading towards the summit. Of note, I did bring my bug zapper racket, and I used it sparingly on the way down to the car. It works and who cares if people stare at you.