Aerial imagery: USGS National Map (public domain)
Payne Ledge — Cliffs 6.6 Miles ESE of Chapman Inn
Oxford County, Maine · USGS Greenwood Quadrangle · GNIS 573080
Within Oxford County, Maine, on the USGS Greenwood quadrangle, the cliff face known as Payne Ledge sits 6.6 miles east-southeast of Chapman Inn.
Wikidata short description: “cliff in Oxford County, Maine, United States of America”
Landmark Profile
Classification & USGS reference
Within Oxford County, Maine, the U.S. Geological Survey lists Payne Ledge as a cliff face on the Greenwood topographic quadrangle (FIPS 23/017), under Feature ID 573080. Catalogued in GNIS since 09/30/1980.
Coordinates & physical setting
Payne Ledge sits at 44.35618° N, 70.67479° W (DMS 44°21′22″ N, 70°40′29″ W).
Other cliffs in Oxford County, Maine
Oxford County, ME contains 11 cliffs catalogued in the USGS Geographic Names Information System, counting Payne Ledge itself. The ones closest to Payne Ledge:
| Feature | USGS Quadrangle | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Bucks Ledge | Bryant Pond | 3.4 mi |
| Goss Ledge | Bryant Pond | 4.7 mi |
| Shaw Ledge | West Paris | 5.1 mi |
| Berry Ledge | West Paris | 5.7 mi |
| Browns Ledge | East Stoneham | 7.6 mi |
| Hedgehog Ledge | Waterford Flat | 15.4 mi |
| Brigham Ledge | Waterford Flat | 15.6 mi |
| Whittemore Bluff | Dixfield | 16.9 mi |
| Pauls Bluff | Dixfield | 17.6 mi |
| C Bluff | Andover | 27 mi |
Features on the USGS Greenwood Quadrangle
The Greenwood 7.5-minute topographic quadrangle holds 31 catalogued natural features alongside Payne Ledge. A sampling nearest to this location:
| Feature | Type | County | Offset |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rowe Hill | Summits | Oxford County, ME | 0.3 mi |
| Twitchell Pond | Reservoirs | Oxford County, ME | 0.4 mi |
| Indian Pond | Lakes | Oxford County, ME | 1.2 mi |
| Bald Bluff | Summits | Oxford County, ME | 1.2 mi |
| Halls Ridge | Ridges | Oxford County, ME | 1.3 mi |
| Elwell Mountain | Summits | Oxford County, ME | 1.4 mi |
| Mount Christopher | Summits | Oxford County, ME | 1.5 mi |
| Tibbetts Mountain | Summits | Oxford County, ME | 1.7 mi |
| Oversett Mountain | Summits | Oxford County, ME | 1.8 mi |
| Oversett Pond | Lakes | Oxford County, ME | 2 mi |
Visiting from Chapman Inn
Distance, bearing & drive time
Follow the compass bearing ESE out of Bethel for 6.6 miles (east-southeast) and you reach Payne Ledge; at typical rural speeds the trip runs roughly 11 minutes.
Best time to visit
Accessible May through November in most years. At this latitude (44.356°), the shoulder seasons are workable — April and November can be comfortable on mild years. The 6.6-mile drive from Chapman Inn makes it practical for a half-day outing — you can check conditions in the morning and still turn back if the weather closes in. Conditions at Payne Ledge track the nearby Rowe Hill summit (0.3 mi away) closely — if that is runnable, so is this.
Nearest features to Payne Ledge
| Feature | Type | County | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rowe Hill | Summits | Oxford County, ME | 0.3 mi |
| Twitchell Pond | Reservoirs | Oxford County, ME | 0.4 mi |
| Indian Pond | Lakes | Oxford County, ME | 1.2 mi |
| Bald Bluff | Summits | Oxford County, ME | 1.2 mi |
| Halls Ridge | Ridges | Oxford County, ME | 1.3 mi |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Payne Ledge located?
Payne Ledge is in Oxford County, Maine, approximately 6.6 miles east-southeast of Chapman Inn in Bethel, Maine. It appears on the USGS Greenwood topographic quadrangle.
How far is Payne Ledge from Chapman Inn?
The drive runs about 11 minutes, 6.6 miles east-southeast (bearing ESE) of the Inn.
What type of natural feature is Payne Ledge?
The U.S. Geological Survey classifies Payne Ledge as a cliff face, catalogued under GNIS Feature ID 573080 on the Greenwood quadrangle.
When is the best time to visit Payne Ledge?
Accessible May through November in most years.
How many other cliffs are in Oxford County, Maine?
GNIS lists 10 other cliffs in Oxford County, Maine.
Wikidata: Q49470002.