Carthage, Maine is the eighth stop on Asa’s World Tour of Maine! Drawn here by the dense forests and the Webb River, this area was first settled in 1812 and incorporated in 1826. Named after Carthage, the ancient Mediterranean city in what is today Tunisia in North Africa, this town had a population of 507 in 1880, and in the most recent 2020 census they added two more for a total of 509! Crisscrossed with logging roads, today Carthage is an outdoor enthusiast’s paradise for hiking, riding all terrain vehicles, swimming, and fishing, with its close proximity to Mount Blue State Park, the Rangeley Lake area, and Western Maine’s mountains. Speaking of Mount Blue State Park in nearby Weld, that is where we are headed to for our hike, but first some publicity photos at the Carthage town offices!
Chuck Billy: Check out the sign, “Welcome to the River Valley, it’s where you want to be!”
Asa: Oh I want to be here, alright! That is a BIG chair! According to the sign next to me, Paul Bunyan visited here back in the day! I have BIG expectations for today!
Chuck Billy: We are headed to the 3,187-foot summit of Mount Blue, a popular day-hike in summer and a snowshoeing and cross-country skiing destination in the winter, with its 18 miles of multi-use trails. Follow me!
Chuck Billy: Alright, I didn’t check the trail conditions or factor in that areas could be flooded from all the rain this summer, especially the recent heavy downpours. This isn’t so bad here, but further ahead looks difficult to traverse.
Chuck Billy: No worries, we’ll follow this trail instead.
Asa: This could make a good stage. But it seems a little remote for a show. Are you sure you know where you’re leading us? You seemed a little tangled up at Mount Blue.
Chuck Billy: Nonsense! I know exactly what I’m doing. What kind of a tour manager would I be if we were lost…again?
Chuck Billy: Oops, another wrong turn.
Asa: *takes out trail map* Mount Blue State Park has multiple trailheads, and camping areas, separated by Webb Lake. We are on the cross-country ski trails on the “winter side!”
Chuck Billy: What? You LOVE winter! Give me that map….Alright, I may have got distracted when researching this hike, and not read all the specifics.
Asa: That’s it! I’m out of here! You didn’t do your homework again!
Chuck Billy: Hey, wait for me!!! I’ve got a plan…honest!
Asa: I’m sorry for barking at you, Chuck Billy. I know you’re doing your best planning the itinerary for my world tour, especially since we’ve never been to this part of Maine before. This area across from the parking lot on Center Hill Road, in Weld, is a perfect spot to enjoy a picnic and regroup.
Chuck Billy: And I’m sure if you sing loud enough, they will hear you all the way to the Mount Blue campground on Webb Beach Road! That’s what I had planned all along!
Asa: Oh sure that’s what you had planned!
Chuck Billy: Sorry we got a little turned around at Mount Blue, in Weld, Maine, and won’t have an actual trail review to share with you tomorrow. Thus concludes our tour stop in Carthage.
Chuck Billy: ASA! Stop singing the blues! I can guarantee next week’s stop on Asa’s World tour of Maine is going to be BIG!
