PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • October 17, 2025
The Barren-Chairback Range is the first mountain cluster you come to on a northbound hike through the 100-Mile Wilderness. Barren Mountain is the first and highest of the five summits you’ll cross. In order, the rest are Fourth Mountain (2,383 feet), Third Mountain (2,061 feet), Columbus Mountain (2,326 feet) and Chairback Mountain (2,219 feet). Don’t let the modest elevations fool you, however. Hike the 15.7 miles over all five peaks of the range from the Bodfish Farm-Long Pond Tote Road to the KI-Greenville Road near the West Branch of the Pleasant River and you’ll have climbed an impressive 4,000 feet overall on often rough treadway. Thanks to the National Park Service and the Appalachian Mountain Club, the length of the Barren-Chairback is protected. ~ Carey Kish