September 11, 2022 - Maine Foliage Flight
Millinocket to Houlton

On the ground, I talked with Jeff Campbell the friendly Airport Manager at Millnocket and got the gouge.  I knew going in there was no courtesy car so I had made a reservation at a motel within walking distance of the airport.  They used to have rental cars, but Covid.  From Jeff I learned that big Katahdin Mountain is the end of the Appalachian Trail, and drives a lot of the airport business.  I learned that for a long time Millinocket's main employer was a paper mill but it closed in 2008.  It's a nice, friendly airport, always manned during working hours, self-service fuel, pilot supplies in the FBO building, a pilot lounge, food and lodging within walking distance.

Millinocket was first settled in 1829 by Betsy and Thomas Fowler and their family, who cleared land for a farm. When the Bangor and Aroostook Railroad extended service to Houlton in 1894, the line ran through the area, opening it to development.

Charles W. Mullen, an engineering graduate from the University of Maine, proposed a hydroelectric dam on the Penobscot River. He recognized the falls as an ideal water power source to operate a large pulp and paper mill. Mullen contacted Garret Schenck, vice-president of the International Paper mill at Rumford Falls and an expert in the industry, about building a pulp and paper mill near the dam. Mr. Schenck agreed, and set about obtaining the necessary financial backing.

After securing land rights, the chosen site was at the junction of the West Branch of the Penobscot River and Millinocket Stream, where it stands today. Things moved quickly, and on May 15, 1899, construction began on the new Great Northern Paper Company paper mill. As the location was not near existing towns, it became necessary to build one. Millinocket, meaning "the land of many islands" after all the islands in the Penobscot River, was incorporated on March 16, 1901.

Throughout the 20th century, the community prospered. It developed a reputation as a small but successful rural town, mostly due to the paper industry, but also to its proximity to Katahdin, Maine's tallest mountain, and Moosehead Lake, Maine's largest lake.  Millinocket's population peaked in the 1970s at 7,700 then began to decline.  The paper company closed in 2008.  The population was 4,114 at the 2020 census.

It was still early afternoon, so I had time for a sight-seeing flight.  I topped off at the self-service pump then I took off and right away I saw the now-closed paper mill.
   
Looking down at Millinocket's main street -- running left ot right.
   
Looking northwest at Mount Katahdin.  Before that is Millinocket Lake.
   
Checking out Lake Millinocket.
   
 
   
 
   
Getting closer.
   
 
   
Flying over some pretty foliage along the way.
   
 
   
 
   
A dirt road goes to the southern and western base of the mountain.
   
Now climbing to the north.
   
Mt. Katahdin is the highest mountain in Maine, with an elevation of 5,268 feet.
   

Katahdin is the northern terminus of the Appalachian Trail and is near a stretch known as the Hundred-Mile Wilderness.

 
   
Mt. Katahdin has several trails leading up to Baxter, Pamola, or Hamlin Peaks.  These trails start right up the mountain, but each trail on the mountain ends up taking eight to ten hours round-trip depending on ability.  The rest of the trails go up the north side or west side of the mountain. These are accessed from the Chimney Pond Trail.  All of the trails on the mountain are classified as very strenuous, the highest classification the Park Authority gives, except for Saddle (strenuous), Hamlin Ridge trail (moderate), and Chimney Pond (moderate).
 
The most famous hike to the summit goes along Knife Edge, a glacial Arête which traverses the ridge between Pamola Peak and Baxter Peak. The mountain has claimed 23 lives between 1963 and 2012,mostly from exposure in bad weather and falls from the Knife Edge. There have been more than 60 deaths on Katahdin since 1933 including October 8 and 9, 2020.  For about 3/10 of a mile the trail is 3 feet wide, with a drop off on either side. The Knife Edge is closed during periods of high wind.
   
Looking southwest of Katahdin.
   
Now looking northeast at Katahdin.
   
Passing to the south of Katahdin.
   
Now descending and heading east across central Maine to Houlton, on the Maine/Canada border.
   
Descending down to where I can see something.
   
Believe it or not, that's Interstate 95 down there heading northeast.
   
Pretty green grass in October; how will it look in January?
   
Approaching the town of Houlton, Maine.  Population 6,000.  Best known for being at the northern terminus of Interstate 95.  Although I-95 appears to continue east into Canada.
   
Just east of town is Houlton International Airport (KHUL).  On the other side of the airport is Canada.  Just north of the airport I-95 crosses into Canada.
   
At Houlton Airport I turned due south to follow the border.   No Wall here that I can see.  I guess there aren't many "undocumented immigrants" coming south from Canada.  They have all the beer up there that they need!
   
The border runs down the middle of Grand Lake, pictured here.
   
As long as I stay over the western side I am good.
   
When the border turned east, I turned west and set course of Millinocket.
   
Lots of little rivers and creeks running through this area.
   
 
   
 
   
One of these rivers is the Mattawamkeag River.  I just had to note one of the more unusual river names you're ever gonna see somewhere.
   
Some logging has taken place here.  That clear patch looks like a big arrow.  I wonder what it's pointing to?
   
Crossing I-95 again.
   
Safe on deck at Millinocket Airport.  The plane is tied down and secured for the night.
   
 
   

Millinocket Municipal Airport is operated by the Town of Millinocket. Located on 16 Medway Road, the airport has been in existence since the 1930s when it was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps. The airport has two runways, a main terminal, 3 municipally owned hangers, 3 privately owned hangers, and 13 tie-downs.

Millinocket Municipal Airport is located in the heart of the Katahdin Region. This region of the state is known for mile high Mt. Katahdin, Baxter State Park, the Penobscot River, all of which can be enjoyed by pilots and passengers year-round. Activities at the airport include scenic flights, flight training, survey/wildlife flights, skydiving and a model airplane club.

The airport operates from 8 am to 5 pm or later, 7 days a week during the summer. Winter hours are from 8 am to 5 pm Monday through Friday. Millinocket Municipal Airport will have 1 or 2 attendants on duty to serve your needs. Currently, we offer 100LL Avgas, Jet A, aviation oils, filters, pilot supplies and also maps and charts.

Millinocket Municipal Airport has two runways, Runway 11-29 is 4713 feet in length and has pilot controlled lighting. Runway 16-34 is 4007 feet in length and is not plowed in the winter but is accessed by ski aircraft. Services:

Tie Downs
Aviation 100LL Fuel with credit card service
Jet A Fuel
West Branch Aviation Scenic Flights and Flight Instructions
Noyes Enterprise aircraft refurbish and mechanic services
Aircraft engine oil, maps, and vending machines
Jump & Raft Skydiving and Rafting trips
Fly Ins
Truck Pulls

The new Snow blower arrived November 16th, 2020 which replaces a 1994 snow blower. The funding came from a Federal Aviation Administration Grant.
   
The "Hotel Terrace" was an easy half-mile down the road.  Perfect.
   
Downtown Millinocket was another half-mile further from the motel.  This was the view from the bridge over the Millinocket Stream which you have to cross to get to downtown.
   
Main street Millinocket.
   

I had a nice bacon cheeseburger at the Scottic In Restaurant.

So ends a very fun and eventful day.
   
 
   
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