In the far northwestern corner of Alder Stream Township, roughly 6 miles from the Canadian border and about the same distance from the nearest paved road, is where you’ll discover Snow Mountain. Climbing the 3,967-foot peak, which ranks 70th on the list of New England’s “Hundred Highest,” will definitely give you the sense of being “out there.” You’ll find Alder Stream Township, also known as T2R5 WBKP, in northern Franklin County a dozen miles north of Stratton via Maine Route 27 (the historic Benedict Arnold Trail). Most of the township is owned by the Penobscot Nation, which welcomes day hikers wishing to tag Snow Mountain. Overnight camping, however, is allowed only with special permission. Snow Mountain is topped by the 24-foot steel hulk of an old (1914) fire tower. The cab is long gone, but climb the ladder and you’ll enjoy one heckuva view. The Boundary Mountains on both sides of the international border, New Hampshire’s White Mountains, plus Old Blue, Jackson, Tumbledown, East Kennebago, Redington, Crocker, Sugarloaf and the Bigelows—they’re all part of the grand panorama from Snow’s summit. A few years ago, the Penobscot Nation Department of Natural Resources reworked the road system to better protect the water quality, fish and other aquatic life in the Little Alder Stream watershed. This altered the start of the Firewarden’s Trail to Snow Mountain, which is now located 5.5 miles over gravel roads from the highway. Access is well-described in the 12th edition of the AMC Maine Mountain Guide. To be sure, the GPS coordinates are 45.28817, -70.67889. Hiking Snow Mountain (5.6 miles round-trip) is a bit of a navigational challenge, for sure, but well worth the effort. The route follows a rocky and eroded ATV track up the valley of Little Alder Stream. Nearing Snow Mountain Pond, a grassy ATV track heads right and intersects the Firewarden’s Trail in a half-mile; this is a good alternative to going 0.2 miles further to the pond and trying to negotiate the lower, rather obscure part of the old Firewarden’s Trail. From the upper point where the grassy ATV track and the Firewarden’s Trail intersect at the 3,060-foot elevation, the route is much better defined and easier to follow to the top. Just below the summit tower are the remains of the former lightning shack. Tucked inside is a memorial to Marie (nee Giasson) Hunnewell, who died in 2006. Jeff Hunnewell proposed to Marie here in July 1991 “as they overlooked the breathtaking views of Snow Mountain.” How sweet. While you’re in the scenic neighborhood between Eustis and Chain of Ponds, you might as well check the box on Kibby Mountain in nearby Skinner Township. The 3,656-foot Kibby is just shy of 10 miles over gravel logging roads through Weyerhaeuser Timberlands from Route 27 at a point just north of the Sarampus Falls picnic area. Be sure to stop at the falls to enjoy the view and the series of interesting interpretive displays. Compared to Snow, Kibby is a walk in the park. An old tote road leads to a wide path, which climbs to a saddle and then on to the summit ridge. It’s 2.6 miles up to the 15-foot steel fire tower in a small, rocky clearing. Erected in 1926, the cab has been removed and replaced with an observation platform. The views are superb, reaching far and wide across the wild, mountainous boundary country (you’re 6 miles from Quebec here, too) in every direction. The 44 towers of the Kibby Wind Power Project stretch to the south. A great base camp for hiking Snow and Kibby is Cathedral Pines Campground in Eustis. Situated on 300 acres right on Flagstaff Lake, the campground is a delightfully friendly place featuring 97 campsites, most with water and electricity. Toilets, showers, laundry facilities, a nice stretch of beach, a boat launch (bring your kayak or canoe) and walking trails through the tall pines are all part of the Cathedral Pines picture. Adjacent to Cathedral Pines Campground on Route 27 is the Pines Market, home to all the provisions — food, drink, camping and otherwise — you might need while you’re in the area on your most excellent Snow and Kibby adventure. Have fun! Carey Kish of Mount Desert Island is a Triple Crown hiker, freelance writer and author of three hiking guides. Connect with Carey on Facebook and Instagram.