Little Wilson Falls (Upper Falls)

by Eric Schult
(Bettendorf, IA)

Upper Falls of Little Wilson in Maine

Little Wilson Stream's upper falls is a scenic landmark in Maine's '100-Mile Wilderness' (the most remote section of the Appalachian Trail). It is in Elliotsville Plantation, six miles northwest of Monson, off Elliotsville Road.

To get there from Monson, drive to the Elliotsville Road bridge that crosses Big Wilson Stream, turn left on a logging road immediately before the bridge. Drive about a mile north (along Big Wilson Steam's east bank) to a clearing (and old campground) at Lower Little Wilson Falls. The lower falls has a beautiful flume and a deep swimming hole with a rope swing. These are worth visiting by themselves, but if you're up for a half-hour hike, the upper falls is well worth the effort.

Follow the footpath on the south bank of Little Wilson Stream, which starts at the lower falls. This path is a spur to the Appalachian Trail, and you'll join up with the AT three-quarters of the way to the upper falls.

The upper falls has a drop of about 60-80 feet. It rivals Moxie Falls (near the Forks) in height. Its most interesting feature is the moss-covered slate on the north wall of the gorge. Very primordial!

The upper falls is very difficult to photograph, unless you ford the stream above the falls and bushwhack to spot on the north rim. The south rim has the most accessible view, but you can't capture the whole drop even with a good wide lens. The photo is of only the tippy-top of the falls, from the south rim.

The falls is geolocated here:

http://picasaweb.google.com/w.eric.schult/ScenesFromMaineS100MileWilderness#5286404263635290002

Other photos here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/31063944@N05/sets/72157611968690413/