Wikimedia Commons (File:Gezicht op Aziscohos en Observatory Mountain, met op de voorgrond Rangeley Lake in Maine Aziscohos and Observation Mountains, Rangeley Lake (titel op object), RP-F-2001-7-982-16.jpg)
Observatory Mountain — Summits 37.0 Miles NNW of Chapman Inn
Oxford County, Maine · USGS Richardson Pond Quadrangle · GNIS 572659
Catalogued on the USGS Richardson Pond quadrangle in Oxford County, Maine, Observatory Mountain — a summit — lies 37.0 miles north-northwest of Chapman Inn.
Wikidata short description: “mountain in United States of America”
Landmark Profile
Classification & USGS reference
Catalogued under GNIS Feature ID 572659, Observatory Mountain is recorded as a summit on the USGS Richardson Pond quadrangle in Oxford County, Maine (FIPS 23/017). Last revised by the Board on Geographic Names on 07/23/2022.
Coordinates & physical setting
Observatory Mountain sits at 44.92756° N, 70.94858° W (DMS 44°55′39″ N, 70°56′55″ W).
Other summits in Oxford County, Maine
Oxford County, ME contains 438 summits catalogued in the USGS Geographic Names Information System, counting Observatory Mountain itself. The ones closest to Observatory Mountain:
| Feature | USGS Quadrangle | Elevation | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low Aziscohos Mountain | Richardson Pond | — | 2.3 mi |
| Aziscohos Mountain | Wilsons Mills | — | 2.8 mi |
| Round Mountain | Richardson Pond | — | 3.4 mi |
| Parker Hill | Wilsons Mills | — | 3.6 mi |
| Emerys Misery | Wilsons Mills | — | 5.1 mi |
| Deer Mountain | Lincoln Pond | — | 5.5 mi |
| Parker Hill | Bosebuck Mountain | — | 6.9 mi |
| Sturtevant Mountain | Umbagog Lake North | — | 6.9 mi |
| Johnson Mountain | Middle Dam | — | 7.4 mi |
| Moose Mountain | Middle Dam | — | 8.2 mi |
Features on the USGS Richardson Pond Quadrangle
The Richardson Pond 7.5-minute topographic quadrangle holds 20 catalogued natural features alongside Observatory Mountain. A sampling nearest to this location:
| Feature | Type | County | Offset |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black Brook Cove | Bays | Oxford County, ME | 1.5 mi |
| Little Beaver Pond | Lakes | Oxford County, ME | 1.8 mi |
| Deer Mountain Stream | Streams | Oxford County, ME | 1.8 mi |
| Beaver Brook | Streams | Oxford County, ME | 2 mi |
| Pepperpot Pond | Lakes | Oxford County, ME | 2 mi |
| Fish Pond Brook | Streams | Oxford County, ME | 2.1 mi |
| Beaver Pond | Lakes | Oxford County, ME | 2.2 mi |
| Low Aziscohos Mountain | Summits | Oxford County, ME | 2.3 mi |
| Mill Brook | Streams | Oxford County, ME | 2.5 mi |
| Beaver Brook | Streams | Oxford County, ME | 2.6 mi |
Visiting from Chapman Inn
Distance, bearing & drive time
A 63-minute drive along back roads separates the front door of Chapman Inn from Observatory Mountain — 37.0 miles north-northwest as the crow flies, on compass bearing NNW.
Best time to visit
Accessible May through November in most years. Being this far north (lat 44.928°), first snows typically arrive by mid-October and linger into early May — narrow the window accordingly. At 37.0 miles from the Inn, block the full day — sunrise start, late return, packed meals. Conditions at Observatory Mountain track the nearby Black Brook Cove bay (1.5 mi away) closely — if that is runnable, so is this.
Nearest features to Observatory Mountain
| Feature | Type | County | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black Brook Cove | Bays | Oxford County, ME | 1.5 mi |
| Little Beaver Pond | Lakes | Oxford County, ME | 1.8 mi |
| Deer Mountain Stream | Streams | Oxford County, ME | 1.8 mi |
| Beaver Brook | Streams | Oxford County, ME | 2 mi |
| Pepperpot Pond | Lakes | Oxford County, ME | 2 mi |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Observatory Mountain located?
Observatory Mountain is in Oxford County, Maine, approximately 37.0 miles north-northwest of Chapman Inn in Bethel, Maine. It appears on the USGS Richardson Pond topographic quadrangle.
How far is Observatory Mountain from Chapman Inn?
The drive runs about 63 minutes, 37.0 miles north-northwest (bearing NNW) of the Inn.
What type of natural feature is Observatory Mountain?
The U.S. Geological Survey classifies Observatory Mountain as a summit, catalogued under GNIS Feature ID 572659 on the Richardson Pond quadrangle.
When is the best time to visit Observatory Mountain?
Accessible May through November in most years.
How many other summits are in Oxford County, Maine?
GNIS lists 437 other summits in Oxford County, Maine.
Wikidata: Q33142355.