Built by AMC in 2003 and named for its then-president, Laurie Burt, the trail offers fine views to the north from its easterly overlook. White Cap and Gulf Hagas mountains are visible, and on a clear day Katahdin can be seen. From the westerly outlook there are good views of Elephant Mountain and many of the area’s ponds.
Follow the trail up the bank, then head left across a log bridge. The trail leads along the edge of a large boulder where there is a view of Little Lyford Ponds and the ridge beyond before the trail switchbacks to the left. After a gradual but steady ascent, a junction with Indian Mountain Circuit is reached at 0.3 miles. The two trails share the same route, a grassy old logging road, for the next 0.3 miles. Ahead, at 0.6 miles, where Indian Mountain Circuit continues straight, Laurie’s Ledge Trail turns left.
The trail ascends moderately, soon passing through an interesting rock formation at about 0.7 miles. Beyond, the trail climbs to the base of a large cliff band and runs along the lower part of this for 100 yards. It then turns right and climbs steeply to a narrow ledge with a fine view to the east and south. Ahead, it reaches a side trail on the right leading 50 yards to the easterly overlook and views to the north. Beyond, the trail continues to climb steadily, steeply at times, for 0.4 miles. The angle finally eases and the trail leads over the upper slopes to reach the westerly overlook below the true summit.
This trail is within 66,000 acres of conservation land owned by the Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) as a part of AMC’s Maine Woods Initiative. The Maine Woods Initiative is the AMC’s strategy for land conservation in the 100-Mile Wilderness region. The Initiative is an innovative approach to conservation that combines outdoor recreation, resource protection, sustainable forestry, and community partnerships. Through conservation purchase with our partners, AMC permanently protected over 66,000 acres of land in the region, creating a 63-mile-long corridor of conservation land stretching from AMC's property near Greenville north to Baxter State Park. This land is open to the public for recreational uses including hiking, paddling, camping, skiing, and snowshoeing. Fishing and hunting are also permitted in accordance with state law.
Project partners include the Trust for Public Land, The Nature Conservancy, Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands, the Land for Maine’s Future Program, the federal Forest Legacy Program and the Forest Society of Maine.
This trail passes through a property that was acquired in part with funds from the Land for Maine’s Future program. For more information about the LMF program and the places it has helped to protect, please visit the LMF webpage.
Visit AMC's Maine Woods Initiative online for more information or contact:
Parking for the trail is located on the left side of Upper Valley Road, about 2.3 miles north of the junction of Greenville Road and KI Road (soon after the entrance to Little Lyford Lodge and Cabins).
From the east via Brownville: Approach the Katahdin Iron Works Rd. on ME 11 either 26.0 mi. southbound from Millinocket or 5.5 mi. northbound from Brownville Jct. Signage for the Katahdin Ironworks Historic Site (KIW) may be missing, so check your mileage. Turn west onto Katahdin Ironworks Rd. The checkpoint at the entrance to KI Jo-Mary Forest is 6.3 miles from ME 11.
From the west via Greenville: At the blinking traffic light in the center of Greenville on ME 6/15, proceed north one block and turn right onto Pleasant St. After 2.0 mi. the road becomes gravel. This road becomes the KI road. At 11.0 mi. from Greenville, stop and register at the North Maine Woods Hedgehog checkpoint.
Fees are charged at the checkpoints, visit the Maine North Woods website for current information on rates.
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Up to date fees may be found here:
https://northmainewoods.org/