Maine - East

Description

The easternmost point in Maine is also the eastermost point in the United States, the Aleutian Islands claim to the contrary notwithstanding in my opinion. The barber-pole Quoddy Head Light can be reached by paved road and a short walk. A chain link fence surrounds the ocean side of the lighthouse grounds, protecting visitors from a forty foot fall off the headland. The fence is easily circumvented for access to an outcrop of rock that is the easternmost point accessible by land. Several hundred yards out to sea is Sail Rock, which is probably the true easternmost point. The USGS topographic map indicates a benchmark on the rock. The waters here can be quite calm so a small boat might be sufficient for investigating this possibility. However, the water temperature must be quite low because during our visit in August fog was forming above the surface even though the air temperature was in the low 60's Farenheit.

Photos (click to enlarge)

	Quoddy Head Light - notice Sail Rock just offshore and our trusty pointer dog pointing at the headland. Photo by Brian J. Butler
	Brian Butler and companion at easternmost point in Maine accessible by land. This is outside the fence surrounding the Quoddy Head Light but is relatively easy to reach. Photo by Gregg Butler
	Sail Rock appears to be above the high tide mark. It is probably the true easternmost point in the US and Maine. The USGS topo map indicates a benchmark on the rock. Photo by Brian J. Butler