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Whales Back — Summits 37.4 Miles SSW of Chapman Inn
Oxford County, Maine · USGS Brownfield Quadrangle · GNIS 578300
Within Oxford County, Maine, on the USGS Brownfield quadrangle, the summit known as Whales Back sits 37.4 miles south-southwest of Chapman Inn.
Wikidata short description: “mountain in United States of America”
Landmark Profile
Classification & USGS reference
Within Oxford County, Maine, the U.S. Geological Survey lists Whales Back as a summit on the Brownfield topographic quadrangle (FIPS 23/017), under Feature ID 578300. Last revised by the Board on Geographic Names on 03/11/2022.
Coordinates & physical setting
Whales Back sits at 43.88310° N, 70.99157° W (DMS 43°52′59″ N, 70°59′30″ W).
Other summits in Oxford County, Maine
Oxford County, ME contains 438 summits catalogued in the USGS Geographic Names Information System, counting Whales Back itself. The ones closest to Whales Back:
| Feature | USGS Quadrangle | Elevation | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sugarloaf | Brownfield | — | 2.3 mi |
| Pine Hill | Brownfield | — | 2.8 mi |
| Devils Den | Kezar Falls | — | 2.8 mi |
| Stacy Hill | Kezar Falls | — | 3.5 mi |
| Rattlesnake Mountain | Kezar Falls | — | 3.8 mi |
| Fork Hill | Kezar Falls | — | 4.5 mi |
| Stone Mountain | Brownfield | — | 4.5 mi |
| Burnt Meadow Mountains | Brownfield | — | 4.5 mi |
| Tibbetts Mountain | Brownfield | — | 4.8 mi |
| Libby Hill | Kezar Falls | — | 5.6 mi |
Features on the USGS Brownfield Quadrangle
The Brownfield 7.5-minute topographic quadrangle holds 31 catalogued natural features alongside Whales Back. A sampling nearest to this location:
| Feature | Type | County | Offset |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sugarloaf | Summits | Oxford County, ME | 2.3 mi |
| Linscott Brook | Streams | Oxford County, NH | 2.3 mi |
| Quint Brook | Streams | Oxford County, ME | 2.6 mi |
| Cole Brook | Streams | Oxford County, NH | 2.8 mi |
| Pine Hill | Summits | Oxford County, ME | 2.8 mi |
| West Branch Tenmile River | Streams | Oxford County, ME | 3.2 mi |
| Stone Mountain | Summits | Oxford County, ME | 4.5 mi |
| Burnt Meadow Mountains | Summits | Oxford County, ME | 4.5 mi |
| Dyer Pond | Lakes | Oxford County, ME | 4.8 mi |
| Tibbetts Mountain | Summits | Oxford County, ME | 4.8 mi |
Visiting from Chapman Inn
Distance, bearing & drive time
Follow the compass bearing SSW out of Bethel for 37.4 miles (south-southwest) and you reach Whales Back; at typical rural speeds the trip runs roughly 64 minutes.
Best time to visit
Accessible May through November in most years. At this latitude (43.883°), the shoulder seasons are workable — April and November can be comfortable on mild years. At 37.4 miles from the Inn, block the full day — sunrise start, late return, packed meals. Conditions at Whales Back track the nearby Stewart Hill summit (1.2 mi away) closely — if that is runnable, so is this.
Nearest features to Whales Back
| Feature | Type | County | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stewart Hill | Summits | Carroll County, NH | 1.2 mi |
| Cragged Mountain | Summits | Carroll County, NH | 1.5 mi |
| Kent Hill | Summits | Carroll County, NH | 1.7 mi |
| Chalk Pond | Lakes | Oxford County, ME | 1.9 mi |
| Foss Mountain | Ridges | Carroll County, NH | 2.2 mi |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Whales Back located?
Whales Back is in Oxford County, Maine, approximately 37.4 miles south-southwest of Chapman Inn in Bethel, Maine. It appears on the USGS Brownfield topographic quadrangle.
How far is Whales Back from Chapman Inn?
The drive runs about 64 minutes, 37.4 miles south-southwest (bearing SSW) of the Inn.
What type of natural feature is Whales Back?
The U.S. Geological Survey classifies Whales Back as a summit, catalogued under GNIS Feature ID 578300 on the Brownfield quadrangle.
When is the best time to visit Whales Back?
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: Q34819904.