Gulf Hagas Trip
On Saturday, June 28th, all teenagers, 13-17 (adults can come too) are encouraged to attend an outing at Katahdin Iron Works. We will be meeting at the church and leaving at 7am. The expected return time is about 6pm, exact time is unknown.
Katahdin Iron Works (often times just called KI) is located in the middle of Greenville, Millinocket and Brownville, next to the Jo-Mary woods. In the 1800's KI had several blast furnaces, wood beehives and kilns. Wood from the area from was turned into charcoal. This charcoal, along with water wheels generating compressed air was used to fire the furnaces. The area is overly abundant with iron ore, which was mined and converted to pig iron and steel in the furnaces. Though this thrived for a while, and there still is much iron ore there, the rural location and difficultly of smelting the ore continues to make it uneconomic in modern times. It's been 120 years since the mill operated, fire, elements, and neglect have done their part, not much remains except for a few stone furnaces, which we will stop to check out.
After checking out the blast furnace, we will proceed to Gulf Hagas, sometimes called the "Grand Canyon of the East". We will be hiking through the Heritage, home to some of the largest white pine in the world. From there to Screw Auger falls offering several water falls. After the falls, we will proceed to the gorge, the gorge is nearly 4 miles long, displaying vertical slate walls 300' to 400' deep. The west branch of the Pleasant River drops some 400' in this distance, creating numerous waterfalls, chutes, and pools. It is an eight mile (round trip) trip intersecting with the 100-Mile Wilderness section of the Appalachian Trail.
Throughout the course of our hike we will be stopping for breaks and to have a time in the Word and prayer.
What each person needs: Proper footwear for a moderate day hike, hiking boots are really preferred, sneakers may leave feet sore and swollen. Proper clothing for the weather (whatever it may be on that day), a bible, one to two liters of water, lunch, bug spray, a snack, and a pack to carry these things in. The hike will be fairly strenuous and does include a knee deep water crossing. There is some cost associated with this activity. Each person should bring some cash. The cost to enter at the KI check point gate is $6 per person. We will also be stopping for snacks/food/drinks in Brownville or Milo on the way back.
Any questions, please contact Alan or Erica Whitney at 732-6055. If your child desires to go, please print and fill out the form and return it to Alan prior to June 27.
For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
Romans 1:20