Posted in Maine July 24, 2019 by Michelle

This Unique Hike In Maine Leads To A Moving Memorial Site

Hiking in Maine is the best way to get outside and see what our state landscape is all about. From sky-high mountains to marshes and beach trails, there are so many ways to remember why we love being in Maine. But some hikes are a little more special. They lead to areas that tell an important story about our past. For an interesting look into the past, try this hike to the site of a plane crash in Maine. It features a beautiful memorial kept up by those who visit.

We’re aware that these uncertain times are limiting many aspects of life as we all practice social and physical distancing. While we’re continuing to feature destinations that make our state wonderful, we don’t expect or encourage you to go check them out immediately. We believe that supporting local attractions is important now more than ever and we hope our articles inspire your future adventures! And on that note, please nominate your favorite local business that could use some love right now: https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/nominate/

Hidden in the Maine woods of Piscataquis County is an interesting piece of aviation history, lying scattered on the ground.

To get there, you'll take a straightforward hike located just east of Moosehead Lake, about six miles from Greenville.

The hike to reach this interesting site is about a half-mile of flat ground, making the route relatively simple.

You'll start in Greenville. To get there drive north on Lily Bay Road for about seven miles. Then make a right onto Prong Pond Road. Less than two miles from here the road will veer and you'll stay straight. About four miles from here you'll stay right at the fork in the road. You'll reach a small parking lot on the left in just over five miles. This is where the trail begins.

The history here is interesting. In 1963, a B-52C Stratosphere was undergoing a training mission known as a "Terrain Avoidance Flight."

It was the first mission of its type on the East Coast and was intended to practice ways of getting through Advanced Capability Radar without being detected by Soviets during the Cold War.

Two crew members from Westover Air Force Base in Massachusetts and two instructors based in New Mexico took off towards Maine. They'd been given the choice of flying over North Carolina, but chose Maine, given the weather.

The plane left Westover at 12:11 p.m. on January 24th and was set to land back at Westover at 5:30 p.m. that same day.

At 2:30 p.m., the plane started its low altitude, enemy airspace testing.

Almost right away the plane was met with turbulence, which the pilot tried to avoid.

After realizing it was too late, the pilot told everyone to eject themselves. Three were able to do so, but six crew members in the lower deck didn't have time to get out before the plane crashed on the west side of Elephant Mountain around 3 p.m.

Somehow, the navigator and pilot survived a freezing cold night. But nobody else made it.

The remains of the crash have been left in their original place for visitors to see. Oftentimes, you'll find makeshift memorials to those who died in the crash, including American flags.

For driving directions from your location, click here to see the map.

For more cool Maine history, check out this article. It’s all about the state’s oldest tavern where some pretty cool things happened to change Maine as we know it.