Big Moose Mountain (formerly Big Squaw Mountain) makes an ideal day hike for most folks, including families with young kids and dogs. The trailhead to the 3,196-foot mountain is roughly five miles from Greenville and two miles outside of Greenville Junction (take a left off Rte 6/15 onto North Road and drive another half-mile).

From the well-marked parking area, the trail leads through a mix of hardwood and pine forest and ascends gradually for the first 1.4 miles, at which point you will arrive at the remains of an abandoned fire warden’s cabin (Big Moose was the first mountain in the nation to boast a fire-lookout tower). This is a good place to take a break before beginning the more arduous climb to the summit. The trail rises steeply over the next .7 miles through pine forest and over rock ledge before topping out at the exposed summit. Here, you are treated to spectacular views of Moosehead Lake and the surrounding mountains. On a clear day, you can even see Mount Katahdin.

Notes: Big Moose is one of the “Pinnacle Pursuit Challenge” hikes in the Moosehead Region. Others include Mount Kineo, Mountain No. 4, Eagle Rock, Whitecap Mountain, and Borestone Mountain. It is also home to a small ski area on its northeast face.