Rapid Stream Valley — Basins 48.1 Miles NNE of Chapman Inn
Franklin County, Maine · USGS Sugarloaf Mountain Quadrangle · GNIS 574046
One of only 11 basins catalogued within the 80 km reach of Chapman Inn, Rapid Stream Valley lies on the USGS Sugarloaf Mountain quadrangle in Franklin County, Maine — 48.1 miles north-northeast of the Inn.
Wikidata short description: “valley in Maine, United States of America”
Landmark Profile
Classification & USGS reference
Within Franklin County, Maine, the U.S. Geological Survey lists Rapid Stream Valley as a basin on the Sugarloaf Mountain topographic quadrangle (FIPS 23/007), under Feature ID 574046. Catalogued in GNIS since 09/30/1980.
Coordinates & physical setting
Rapid Stream Valley sits at 45.00117° N, 70.28479° W (DMS 45°00′04″ N, 70°17′05″ W).
Features on the USGS Sugarloaf Mountain Quadrangle
The Sugarloaf Mountain 7.5-minute topographic quadrangle holds 6 catalogued natural features alongside Rapid Stream Valley. A sampling nearest to this location:
| Feature | Type | County | Offset |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spaulding Mountain | Summits | Franklin County, ME | 2.4 mi |
| Sugarloaf Mountain | Summits | Franklin County, ME | 2.5 mi |
| Caribou Valley | Valleys | Franklin County, ME | 3.6 mi |
| Caribou Pond | Lakes | Franklin County, ME | 3.7 mi |
| Crocker Cirque | Basins | Franklin County, ME | 4.7 mi |
Ranking & rarity
- Among the 11 basins catalogued within 80 km of Chapman Inn, Rapid Stream Valley ranks #9 by proximity to the Inn (closer than 18%).
- This is one of only 11 basins catalogued within Chapman Inn’s 80 km reach — a rare classification in the local landscape.
Visiting from Chapman Inn
Distance, bearing & drive time
Follow the compass bearing NNE out of Bethel for 48.1 miles (north-northeast) and you reach Rapid Stream Valley; at typical rural speeds the trip runs roughly 82 minutes.
Best time to visit
Late May through October; avoid black-fly peak in late May. Being this far north (lat 45.001°), first snows typically arrive by mid-October and linger into early May — narrow the window accordingly. At 48.1 miles from the Inn, block the full day — sunrise start, late return, packed meals. Conditions at Rapid Stream Valley track the nearby Black Nubble summit (1.4 mi away) closely — if that is runnable, so is this.
Nearest features to Rapid Stream Valley
| Feature | Type | County | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black Nubble | Summits | Franklin County, ME | 1.4 mi |
| Spaulding Mountain | Summits | Franklin County, ME | 2.4 mi |
| Sugarloaf Mountain | Summits | Franklin County, ME | 2.5 mi |
| Mount Abraham | Summits | Franklin County, ME | 2.8 mi |
| Norton Brook | Streams | Franklin County, ME | 2.9 mi |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Rapid Stream Valley located?
Rapid Stream Valley is in Franklin County, Maine, approximately 48.1 miles north-northeast of Chapman Inn in Bethel, Maine. It appears on the USGS Sugarloaf Mountain topographic quadrangle.
How far is Rapid Stream Valley from Chapman Inn?
The drive runs about 82 minutes, 48.1 miles north-northeast (bearing NNE) of the Inn.
What type of natural feature is Rapid Stream Valley?
The U.S. Geological Survey classifies Rapid Stream Valley as a basin, catalogued under GNIS Feature ID 574046 on the Sugarloaf Mountain quadrangle.
When is the best time to visit Rapid Stream Valley?
Late May through October; avoid black-fly peak in late May.
How rare is basins as a classification near Chapman Inn?
Only 11 basins are catalogued within the 80 km radius of the Inn — a comparatively rare classification.
Wikidata: Q35249053.