Hiking Caribou Mountain: A Quiet White Mountains Loop in Western Maine

Caribou Mountain sits on the far northeastern edge of the White Mountains, tucked into a quiet corner of Maine where the ridges roll gently and the crowds thin out. It’s one of those peaks you might overlook on a map, but once you hike it, you wonder why more people aren’t wandering these trails. The woods are calm, the grades are steady, and the summit ridge gives up wide views that easily rival more famous mountains to the south.

The Caribou–Mud Brook Loop is the classic way to explore the mountain—a 7-mile lollipop that offers a bit of everything: rushing streams, hardwood forest, a few rocky scrambles, and long stretches of open ledge. It’s the sort of hike that rewards an unhurried pace and a willingness to stop and look around.

🗺️ Route: Trailhead → Caribou Trail → Mud Brook Trail → Trailhead
🥾 Distance: ~7 miles (loop)
📈 Elevation Gain: ~2,000 feet
⚠️ Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult
🗺️ GPS Information: Trail Route in GPX Format

Caribou Trail: Forest Walking, Brooks, and a Steady ClimbFrom the parking area, the Caribou Trail slips quietly into the trees and immediately settles into a gentle, shaded path. The forest here is a pleasant mix of hardwoods and conifers, and early in the day the light filters softly through the canopy.

Within minutes you reach Morrison Brook, where the trail dips to the water, crosses, and then begins following the brook upstream. This is a lovely stretch—cool, mossy, and filled with the kind of subtle soundscape that only a mountain stream can provide.

The trail climbs steadily but reasonably for the next couple of miles until it reaches Kees Falls, where the brook tumbles down a vertical wall of ledge before continuing its run into the gorge below. It’s a fine place to pause before the terrain begins to steepen.

Beyond the falls, the trail grows rockier and more rugged as it works its way toward the notch between Gammon Mountain and Caribou. Just before reaching the height of land, the woods tighten into spruce and fir, giving that familiar White Mountains scent that always seems to signal you’re nearing something good.

At the junction in the notch, the Caribou Trail continues off toward Bog Road, while a faint path leads toward Gammon’s summit. For the loop, turn left and begin climbing Caribou on the Mud Brook Trail.

Why Caribou Mountain Stands OutCaribou doesn’t rely on drama to make an impression. Instead, it delivers a steady rhythm of forest, water, ridge, and views—an old-fashioned White Mountains hike that feels honest and unspoiled. There are no crowds, no long lines of hikers, no scramble bottlenecks. Just a classic mountain loop in a quieter part of the range.

It’s the kind of hike that seems to fly under the radar, which is probably part of its charm. If you like the feel of the northern Whites but want a day with more solitude, Caribou is an excellent choice.
Tips Before You Go

• Footwear: The trail has its rocky sections—boots or supportive trail shoes recommended.
• Navigation: Trails are well marked, but a map or GPS is always smart.
• Parking: The Route 113 trailhead usually has space, even on nicer weekends.
• Timing: Most hikers complete the loop in 4–6 hours, depending on weather and how long the summit views keep you.
• Season: Don’t forget Route 113’s winter closure—it changes everything.

For More Information on Hiking Caribou Mountain:

• AllTrails Trail Map and Description
• AMC White Mountain Guidebook
• AMC White Mountain Map
• White Mountains Trail Map
• FarOut App’s White Mountain National Forest Download

Hikes near Caribou Mountain in the White Mountains

• Ice Gulch
• Moats Traverse
• The Roost

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