Aerial imagery: USGS National Map (public domain)
Haystack Notch — Gaps 9.1 Miles SW of Chapman Inn
Oxford County, Maine · USGS Speckled Mountain Quadrangle · GNIS 581056
Catalogued on the USGS Speckled Mountain quadrangle in Oxford County, Maine, Haystack Notch — a mountain gap — lies 9.1 miles southwest of Chapman Inn.
Landmark Profile
Classification & USGS reference
Catalogued under GNIS Feature ID 581056, Haystack Notch is recorded as a mountain gap on the USGS Speckled Mountain quadrangle in Oxford County, Maine (FIPS 23/017). Catalogued in GNIS since 09/30/1980.
Coordinates & physical setting
Haystack Notch sits at 44.32340° N, 70.93479° W (DMS 44°19′24″ N, 70°56′05″ W).
Other gaps in Oxford County, Maine
Oxford County, ME contains 18 gaps catalogued in the USGS Geographic Names Information System, counting Haystack Notch itself. The ones closest to Haystack Notch:
| Feature | USGS Quadrangle | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Tyler Notch | Speckled Mountain | 2.4 mi |
| Evans Notch | Speckled Mountain | 3 mi |
| Miles Notch | Speckled Mountain | 3 mi |
| Albany Notch | East Stoneham | 4.5 mi |
| Whites Notch | Gilead | 9 mi |
| Jakes Notch | Gilead | 10.8 mi |
| Carlo Col | Shelburne | 11.9 mi |
| Mahoosuc Notch | Old Speck Mountain | 15.1 mi |
| Miles Notch | Old Speck Mountain | 15.8 mi |
| Notch 2 | Old Speck Mountain | 16.1 mi |
Features on the USGS Speckled Mountain Quadrangle
The Speckled Mountain 7.5-minute topographic quadrangle holds 37 catalogued natural features alongside Haystack Notch. A sampling nearest to this location:
| Feature | Type | County | Offset |
|---|---|---|---|
| Haystack Mountain | Summits | Oxford County, ME | 0.3 mi |
| Caribou Mountain | Summits | Oxford County, ME | 1.2 mi |
| Butters Mountain | Summits | Oxford County, ME | 1.3 mi |
| Caribou Spring | Springs | Oxford County, ME | 1.4 mi |
| Kees Falls | Waterfalls | Oxford County, ME | 1.5 mi |
| Gammon Mountain | Summits | Oxford County, ME | 1.7 mi |
| Durgin Mountain | Summits | Oxford County, ME | 1.7 mi |
| Stony Brook | Streams | Oxford County, ME | 1.8 mi |
| Mud Brook | Streams | Oxford County, ME | 2 mi |
| Red Rock Mountain | Summits | Oxford County, ME | 2 mi |
Visiting from Chapman Inn
Distance, bearing & drive time
A 16-minute drive along back roads separates the front door of Chapman Inn from Haystack Notch — 9.1 miles southwest as the crow flies, on compass bearing SW.
Best time to visit
Late May through October; avoid black-fly peak in late May. At this latitude (44.323°), the shoulder seasons are workable — April and November can be comfortable on mild years. The 9.1-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 Haystack Notch track the nearby Haystack Mountain summit (0.3 mi away) closely — if that is runnable, so is this.
Nearest features to Haystack Notch
| Feature | Type | County | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Haystack Mountain | Summits | Oxford County, ME | 0.3 mi |
| Caribou Mountain | Summits | Oxford County, ME | 1.2 mi |
| Butters Mountain | Summits | Oxford County, ME | 1.3 mi |
| Caribou Spring | Springs | Oxford County, ME | 1.4 mi |
| Kees Falls | Waterfalls | Oxford County, ME | 1.5 mi |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Haystack Notch located?
Haystack Notch is in Oxford County, Maine, approximately 9.1 miles southwest of Chapman Inn in Bethel, Maine. It appears on the USGS Speckled Mountain topographic quadrangle.
How far is Haystack Notch from Chapman Inn?
The drive runs about 16 minutes, 9.1 miles southwest (bearing SW) of the Inn.
What type of natural feature is Haystack Notch?
The U.S. Geological Survey classifies Haystack Notch as a mountain gap, catalogued under GNIS Feature ID 581056 on the Speckled Mountain quadrangle.
When is the best time to visit Haystack Notch?
Late May through October; avoid black-fly peak in late May.
How many other gaps are in Oxford County, Maine?
GNIS lists 17 other gaps in Oxford County, Maine.