Highwater Trail
Near The Roost · Maine
Highwater Trail is a trail in the Carter, Wildcat and Baldface ranges, climbing about 450 ft from Hastings Parking Area to Shelburne South.
Map length
5.2 mi
Climb from the low end
439 ft
Book time up / down (from map miles)
2 h 50 min / 2 h 43 min
High point
1,106 ft
Above treeline
None
Steepest ¼ mile
345 ft/mi
Stream crossings
1
Low point
817 ft
Measured on the map. The AMC guide and Forest Service figures usually run 5 to 15% longer.
Highwater Trail
Mile by mile (map miles)
From Hastings Parking Area (the lower end) to Shelburne South.
- 0.0Hastings Parking Area
- 0.1Bridge over Wild River
- 0.1Junction with Hastings Trail
- 4.4Junction with Highwater Bypass Bushwhack
- 4.9Junction with Highwater Bypass Bushwhack
- 5.2Junction with Highwater Trail (sections missing/eroded) and Shelburne Trail
- 5.2Shelburne South
Distances and book times (map miles)
To Hastings Trail junction
0.12 mi (total 0.12) · ↑4 ↓18 ft · 4 min / 4 min
To Highwater Bypass Bushwhack junction (mile 4.4)
4.24 mi (total 4.36) · ↑358 ↓144 ft · 2 h 18 min / 2 h 11 min
To Highwater Bypass Bushwhack junction (mile 4.9)
0.58 mi (total 4.94) · ↑30 ↓4 ft · 19 min / 17 min
To Shelburne South
0.28 mi (total 5.22) · ↑45 ↓22 ft · 10 min / 9 min
| From | To | Map miles | Total | Climb ↑ / ↓ | Time ↑ / ↓ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hastings Parking Area | Hastings Trail junction | 0.12 | 0.12 | 4 / 18 ft | 4 min / 4 min |
| Hastings Trail junction | Highwater Bypass Bushwhack junction (mile 4.4) | 4.24 | 4.36 | 358 / 144 ft | 2 h 18 min / 2 h 11 min |
| Highwater Bypass Bushwhack junction (mile 4.4) | Highwater Bypass Bushwhack junction (mile 4.9) | 0.58 | 4.94 | 30 / 4 ft | 19 min / 17 min |
| Highwater Bypass Bushwhack junction (mile 4.9) | Shelburne South | 0.28 | 5.22 | 45 / 22 ft | 10 min / 9 min |
↑ walking from Hastings Parking Area; ↓ the other way. Book time: 2 mph over the map miles plus 30 minutes per 1,000 ft of climbing.
Trailheads and parking
Hastings Parking Area
Off Wild River Road · Winter: road closed · Road closed
Shelburne South
0.2 mi walk to the start of the trail
Off Wild River Road · Winter: road closed · Road closed
Connecting trails
Packing for fall? The fall gear guide has the full list.
Trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). Elevation: USGS 3DEP. Distances are measured from the map and can differ from signs and guidebooks. Conditions change: check before you go.