Mahoosuc Notch facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mahoosuc Notch |
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|---|---|
| Elevation | 750 m (2,461 ft) |
| Traversed by | Appalachian Trail |
| Location | North Oxford, Oxford County, Maine, United States |
| Range | Mahoosuc Range |
| Coordinates | 44°32.29′N 70°59.36′W / 44.53817°N 70.98933°W |
| Topo map | USGS Old Speck Mountain |
Mahoosuc Notch is a very deep gap in the Mahoosuc Range of western Maine, in the United States. It is a famous spot along the Appalachian Trail, a long hiking path.
What Makes Mahoosuc Notch Special?
Mahoosuc Notch is known for being one of the most challenging parts of the entire Appalachian Trail. It's about one mile long. This section is filled with huge rocks called boulders. Hikers have to climb over, under, and around these giant rocks.
Walking through Mahoosuc Notch is like solving a puzzle. Sometimes, you might need to drop down about 10 feet. Other times, you have to take off your backpack to squeeze through tight spaces under the boulders. It's a unique adventure for hikers!
The "Toughest Mile"
Many hikers say this mile is the slowest part of the Appalachian Trail. The trail is about 2,200 miles long in total. This tough section is often called the "killer mile" or the "Toughest Mile." Even very experienced hikers find it hard and have to slow down a lot. It truly tests their skills and patience.
Image gallery
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A sign marking the start of the "killer mile" from the south.
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The rough and rocky path of the trail.
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Some of the large boulders hikers must pass under.
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Even in July, you can find pockets of ice hidden under the boulders.
