Last summer, what started out as a day of going mini golfing, turned into a spur of the moment hike up Tumbledown Mountain! My roommate at the time, Mike and I were going to go mini-golfing and maybe hit a bucket of golf balls and then BBQ. However a phone call from Mike's cousin Matt and all of a sudden we were going to hike Tumbledown Mountain!

So we piled up in my car and made the hour or so trip from Augusta to Tumbledown Mountain. Keep in mind my roommate and his cousin are 15 to 20 years younger than me and in shape! We didn't arrive until 3pm and daylight was 7:30pm, so this was going to be a quick trip!

When you arrive at Tumbledown Mountain in Weld, Maine, you will find several trails to choose from. Mike and Matt had hiked this before and I relied tremendously on there guidance. They assured me that the Brook Trail is the easiest and in my research they are correct! The Brook trail is the easiet and most direct route to the Tumbledown Pond (at the top of the mountain) and it's also the most popular trail on the mountain. It's 1.5 miles from the road to the pond and 1,600 feet of elevation gain.

It was late May/early June when we went and there was still snow on the trail. I started with a jacket and had sneakers. Not a good choice! There were plenty of roots and rocks and the brook to deal with and at times, I didn't think I was going to make it to the top of the mountain. Also, Mike and Matt were quickly making it up the mountain and every ten minutes they'd have to wait for me to catch up. But with their help, we made it!

There are several other trails at Tumbledown Mountain, including the most difficult trail, the Loop Trail. Mike and Matt went back later that summer and hiked it. The Loop trail is very steep in places and hikers are assisted by metal rungs affixed to the rock. This section of trail is probably impassable for dogs and small children.

It was with a sense of pride and some whining that I made it to the peak and back down. I would love to do it again, but with proper footwear and this time of year would be awesome, with the leaves starting to change color. So take a hike and enjoy what Maine has to offer!

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