Wayne's Maine Adventures

Steep Falls Hike

2012-01-07T16:55:00.000-08:00

Today, I was out wandering around in the Steep Falls Wildlife Management Area located in Steep Falls, ME. There is only about an inch of snow on the ground and most of the wet spots have just enough ice to keep me from punching through. My hiking partners were Mr. 7 and his Pa. We traveled about 2.41 miles in 3 3/4 hours.

We saw a variety of habitat from select-cut forest, wetlands, tall softwood stands, and old clear-cuts with lots of head high softwood growth. There are many ATV paths and old skidder trails through the area. We bushwhacked around and found a ton of deer sign, moose scat, coyote tracks and scat, and rabbit tracks. We didn't actually see any critters while we were out there. It is kind of difficult to sneak up on animals when a 7 year-old is talking and wielding a stick that must be swung against every tree and smashed against every patch of ice. We still had a good time though.

It occurred to me that you cross country skiers out there might really enjoy a trip along the railroad tracks that run through the middle of the preserve. I would highly recommend skiing it once we get another foot or so of snow up there.

I'm hoping to spend some more time in this spot once we get a little more snow.

2011-12-24T12:58:00.000-08:00

"Adventure is about the uniqueness of experiences".
- From the movie Amazonia Vertical

This quote explains why I feel the need to go off trail and bushwhack so often. One of the goals of this blog is to communicate that uniqueness and hopefully encourage you to go explore and enjoy Maine the way I do. See you in 2012!

Hiking in Saco

2011-12-12T08:04:00.000-08:00

I was able to spend some much needed time in the woods on Saturday. A friend and I bushwhacked our way around a large piece of woods in Saco, Maine. Being the last day of muzzleloading season, we made sure to wear plenty of orange.

We didn't find any deer or antlers although there was plenty of sign and the area appeared to be well hunted. We came across three tree stands and three ground blinds. If the hunters had scouted a bit better or maybe been willing to walk a little farther, they would have realized that there were two spots about a mile away that had much more deer traffic. Oh well, that means more deer for me to look at and collect antlers from.

We ran across an interesting structure out in the woods (see photo at right). It was a fairly well built three-sided structure made out of small trees. The trees were all nailed together. Someone spent considerable time building it and packing in supplies. The roof was made of several tarps supported by trees. The front door was a full glass patio door. There was a medicine cabinet, plastic chairs, and an old pair of snowshoes inside. A fireplace had been constructed and was also set up for cooking. The area around the structure had been raked recently. There was a small supply of cut firewood available.

I was happy to see a "Leave No Trace" sign inside the structure. I used to be a certified Leave No Trace trainer when I worked for the US Forest Service back in the 90's. Adherence to the L.N.T. principles explains why I didn't find any food or waste lying around.

I am willing to bet that the type of person who would construct such a thing far out in the woods is also not the type who would want me to reveal its location. I'll keep it a secret for now.

I also came across an old bottle dump. I recovered a bottle labeled, "Seal Rock Spring Beverages", "Seal Rock Orange Crush Bottling Co., Saco, Maine." The label has an interesting depiction of a seal holding a bottle. A little research revealed that this bottling company was established around 1919 in an area just west of Ferry Beach State Park. The bottle I found would have been sold in the 40's or 50's and is worth around $25 - $35 today. I have the bottle sitting on a shelf next to my kitchen window. Maybe I should start collecting bottles?

Snowshoeing in the Scarborough River Wildlife Sanctuary

2011-01-22T10:39:00.000-08:00

I went for a short snowshoeing adventure today in the Scarborough River Wildlife Sanctuary. It was a great day for it - 24 degrees and sunny with 8 inches of fresh snow on top of a roughly 16" base. There were hikers and cross-country skiers out on the trails as well.

There are several established trails forming multiple loops through the sanctuary. It is a great place to go for a short hike. I average 10-12 hikes per year at this location because it is very close to my house and I can sometimes squeeze in a hike right after work in the summertime.

Today, I bushwhacked through the sanctuary following wildlife tracks. I didn't find any animals but it was fun just being outdoors getting some exercise.

I posted three photographs of the scenery.

For more information about the sanctuary, visit: Scarborough River Wildlife Sanctuary

Old Blue Point Area Trails

2011-01-10T17:34:00.000-08:00

I had the opportunity to venture out into the woods on Sunday in Scarborough, ME. I chose an area bordered by the Eastern Trail at the south end of town. I took Mr. 6 with me and we wandered on and off trail looking for deer sign. There was plenty of deer sign in the area.
The snow was only 1-3 inches deep so the deer are still wandering quite a bit. The woods is relatively open so bushwhacking was a breeze.

We noticed someone else's shoe prints in snow that followed alongside the deer trails. Apparently, we are not the only ones with an interest in the local deer herd.

We also noticed cross-country ski tracks. Trail conditions were a bit rough on Sunday for that type of travel but with several more inches of fresh snow pack, I could visualize this being a very nice loop to ski or snowshoe.

Trail details:
Parking is available at the Scarborough Memorial Cemetery on Old Blue Point Road near Cascade Brook.
There is a nice loop that you can make by following a straight, narrow trail that leads southwest alongside the cemetery and parallels the Eastern Trail. That trail will take you to a power company right of way where you can take a right and continue to Cascade Brook. Just before you reach the brook, you will come upon a Wildlife Refuge boundary trail marked with red blazes. Taking a right on that trail will lead you back to the cemetery. The boundary trail meanders along the bank of Cascade Brook. The loop is approximately 1.4 miles long and is very flat.

The Psychology of an Adventurer

2010-03-23T18:56:00.000-07:00

"It is not what we get, but what we become by our endeavors that make them worthwhile."
- John Ruskin

Since I have not had the opportunity to get outdoors on any exciting adventures in the past few weeks, I have taken some time to reflect upon what makes a person seek adventure. Is it a personality trait that predisposes one to such things?, a physiological effect that is sought?, a simple love of the outdoors?, or something else? I suppose an adventurer can be motivated by a combination of those variables and more, and to differing degrees. Since I am not a psychologist, it is probably unwise for me to comment in depth on how the brain works or how motivation is developed but I can share what I find to be the psychological benefits that I get out of adventure seeking. Here are a few that readily come to mind:

Focus - Adventures that are physically and mentally challenging allow me to focus on the ascent, the crux, or the endurance phase to the exclusion of all the other distractions in life. It is an opportunity to block out the background noise that clutters daily life. It is an opportunity to do one thing and do it well.

Sense of Achievement - Adventures present an opportunity to set a goal and achieve it. Reaching the goal requires perseverance and determination. Generally, the more challenging the goal, the greater the sense of satisfaction once the goal is reached. Adventures are about creating a situation where a sense of accomplishment can be enjoyed at its conclusion.

Humility - Adventures are an opportunity to become acquianted with strengths and weaknesses. They are an opportunity to learn about self and to "put things in perspective." There are times when adventures have reminded me of the fragility of life. Those experiences can be channeled in a positive way to help prioritize what is important.

Stress Relief - As with any form of intense physical activity, one of the crucial benefits of adventures is reduction of stress. I think that physical activity is important in terms of maintaining good body chemistry and for me, it also provides an outlet for tension and negativity. It is an opportunity to clear the mind. It is nice to sit on a mountaintop and be immersed in the natural beauty that surrounds you.

If you are looking for the benefits I've described above, you might try meditation first. That seems to be a much easier route to take. But, if you are like me and are into doing things the hard way, be sure to say hello if we cross paths on our next adventure.

Winter Tracking II

2010-01-10T16:49:00.000-08:00

In my last post, I provided an overview of one of my typical wild game tracking trips. I'm guessing that most people make the same observations. Most people would also typically not see the game they are tracking each time they go on a tracking trip. This post is about things you can do to increase the odds of seeing what you are tracking.

First, once you determine the location of a major trail, setting up a game camera along the trail can give you a lot of valuable data. There are many game cameras out there but there are certain must have features that you should look for.
Motion sensor - If your camera doesn't have a motion sensor, it will take photos every time the wind blows the leaves on a nearby tree. Only taking the photos you really want (of game) makes reviewing photos after a deployment much easier.
Infrared (IR) - Animals are most active in low light. Your camera needs IR technology so that it can "see" in the dark.
Memory card - You will want the ability to swap memory cards to retrieve images. Unmounting the camera to download images or bringing a laptop and cable into the woods with you are not ideal methods.

Most good cameras will record the date and time each photo was taken. Some even record weather related data. Finding patterns in the data can help you determine when would be a good time to be in the woods to get a first-hand look at the animal you are interested in.

Animals passing by a game camera can give you some quick data but encouraging them to linger in front of the lens will produce more images and better quality images. I bring some livestock feed with me and scatter it around on the ground 10-20 feet in front of the camera. Blue Seal Feeds sells a product called "Course 14" that many animals, especially deer, seem to enjoy. I put some Course 14 out in the woods today and had four deer on the feed within three hours. It works! The resulting images can reveal individual characteristics enabling you to identify specific animals. Individual characteristics can be the size and shape of antlers, hair/fur color, injuries, etc.

I hope you have as much fun as I do being outdoors viewing our furry friends.

Note: Feeding game < 1/4 mile from a roadway is frowned upon. Attracting big game to roads is dangerous for the game and the people using the road.

Winter Tracking

2010-01-04T16:52:00.000-08:00

Deer hunting season has passed in Maine. It is a new year with a fresh blanket of 12-15 inches of snow on the ground, so far. Now is a great time to get out in the woods and see what the wildlife is doing. If you are lucky, you might also find a dropped deer antler.

I recently spent a day in Casco tracking whitetail deer. There are several deer wintering areas in Casco. Fifteen inches of snow is not enough to make the deer retreat to the wintering areas so we were able to see quite a bit of activity. I usually go with a local tracker who has a good record of recovering antlers.

Here are a few observations that we make while out tracking:

Tracks - Individual tracks are the most telling sign out in the woods. Tracks help determine the species of animal and its size. They also indicate the direction of travel and the number of animals that might be traveling together.

Scat - Scat will be found at varying intervals along the tracks. The diameter of the scat can indicate the size of the animal.

Rubs - Rubs and scrapes on trees indicate the presence of a buck. Large deer will rub aggressively.

Scent - Snow masks the smell of soil and vegetation allowing the scent of the deer to be picked up easily.

We did not find any antlers on my most recent excursion but as with most of my adventures, just being outside enjoying nature is what it's really all about. We tracked three deer through the woods. At least one was a large buck. In a future post, I will elaborate on some of the other methods we use to monitor the deer herd.

Unfinished Business

2009-10-12T16:14:00.000-07:00

Now that the Maine weather is getting cooler, I have taken some time to reflect on some outdoor adventures that will have to wait until next year.

Hiking
I am most looking forward to hiking the final ten peaks on the Appalachian Maountain Club (AMC) New England Four Thousand Footer list. I have already hiked fifty-five peaks on the list including all forty-eight of the four thousand-footers in New Hampshire. The remaining peaks on the to-do list are:

Maine
Katahdin, Baxter Peak (5267)
Katahdin, Hamlin Peak (4751)
North Brother (4143)
Saddleback (4116)
Abraham (4049)
Saddleback, the Horn (4023)

Vermont
Mansfield (4393)
Camel's Hump (4083)
Ellen (4083)
Abraham (4006)

The peaks in Vermont can be hiked over a three day weekend. The remaining peaks in Maine are a bit more scattered and will require more effort. I have made a previous winter attempt at three of the Vermont peaks but very deep snow and foul weather prevented me from summiting. I also need to make a second attempt at the Katahdin peaks due to dangerous weather I had encountered on the Knife Edge on a previous hike.

Although some of the above peaks could be hiked in winter, I am not a fan of hiking high peaks alone in winter. I have a few smaller peaks in mind for day hikes this winter.

Mountain Biking
I did not do as much mountain biking this past summer as I usually do. I miss not having spent a day on the trails at Sunday River. It is a spectacular place to ride in early fall. Next year, I will try not to skip that trip. I would also like to find some challenging mountain bike trails elsewhere in western Maine.

Is it too early to ask Santa for a present? Santa, I'd like a new mountain bike. You know, one of those aluminum frame, full-suspension, disc brake models. Thank you.

Fall Hike in Grafton Notch

2009-10-05T17:03:00.000-07:00

Today's journey was a hike in Grafton Notch State Park, Maine to enjoy the fall foliage. I had hiked Old Speck in Grafton Notch approximately 5 weeks ago and took an interest in the mountains that I could see on the eastern side of the notch. With foliage peaking in that area this week, I arranged a day off from work as did my friend and hiking partner for the day @Sugarhi.

Our trek started at the AT parking area on Rt. 26. At the first trail junction, we took the right fork up the Table Rock Trail. This trail circles around the south side of Table Rock and is rather steep for the first mile. There are several places along the trail where you can rest and view waterfalls and cliffs on the east side of Old Speck. Table Rock is a large overhanging piece of granite that faces south toward Newry. The foliage was spectacular from that vantage point. It was not the most comfortable of weather conditions, however. I estimate the temperature to have been in the 40's with 20-30 mph gusts. I had a sweaty frost on my hat.

We noticed that the summits of the Baldpates were all in the clouds. After a brief rest and discussion, we decided to continue to West Baldpate hoping that the weather might improve as the day wore on. We followed the blue blazed trail back to the AT and then easterly over a ridge on the south side of Hedgehog Hill. The trail became very steep after passing the Baldpate Lean-to. We reached the summit of West Baldpate (3680 ft.) just after noon. The summit was in thick clouds and the wind was still very gusty. We found a sheltered area to have lunch before heading back towards the notch.

We stayed on the AT all the way back to the notch. The traverse back across Hedgehog Hill took us through stands of white birch, offering occasional glimpses of the mountains and valleys to the north. Approximately 1.5 miles from the trailhead, we got caught in a light rain shower that lasted until we reached the parking area at around 2:30. The total round-trip distance was about 6.5 miles.

I would recommend Table Rock (novice hikers) and the Baldpates (experienced hikers) for anyone wishing to view foliage this week.

Mountain Division Railroad Hike

2009-09-15T15:59:00.000-07:00

At mile marker 26, I pulled a muscle on the bottom of my right foot. The muscle was really tight and I was having trouble putting weight on it. I was also battling five blisters on my feet. Hiking alongside the rails is very difficult. With the exception of the stretch between South Windham and Gorham, there is no trail maintenance. The trail is railroad ballast and ATV trails, easy surfaces to twist an ankle, pull a muscle, or acquire blisters.
Not wanting to give up easily, I limped along to mile marker 27 weighing my options. I knew that my first opportunity to set up camp would be near mile marker 29, so I had to go at least three more miles before resting my feet for the night. Once I reached mile 27, I decided that my feet were not going to let me continue. I arranged for a ride back home. Still not wanting to throw in the towel, I knew it would take my ride about 50 minutes to get to my location - more than enough time to travel another mile. I hiked onward to mile marker 28 and then 1/2 mile back to Rt. 113 to my pick-up point.
Although I would like to have made it all the way to Fryeburg, I am satisfied with the distance I was able to cover in three days and I enjoyed the sights along the way. I still want to complete the Mountain Division Line. The remaining 23 miles can be done in two day hikes if I can find a willing accomplice to spot a car and hike along with me, or I can do one overnighter.
At least now I won't grow old wondering what it would have been like to try to hike the Mountain Division Line.

2009-09-15T15:38:00.000-07:00

Day three started with a late night rain shower. I had to get up at 3:30AM and put the rain fly on the tent. I had a rough night sleeping and woke up late. Then I spread my wet gear alongside the tracks to dry while I ate breakfast and did first-aid on my feet.

By 10:00AM I was westbound towards Steep Falls. The hike to Steep Falls is a 3.5 mile stretch of straight rails. It felt like it took forever to traverse that distance but I did see some nice wetlands, a little turtle also westbound on the trail, and lots of deer and moose tracks. I was also able to get a glimpse of Douglas Mountain to the northwest.

At mile marker 25, I bushwhacked down to the Saco River for lunch. It was a quiet day on the river.

After lunch, I was able to hike 3 more miles of rail that parallel Rt. 113 through Baldwin, Maine.

2009-09-14T16:09:00.001-07:00

Hiked 13 miles today. Two extra due to detours around the drinking water protection area at the southern end of Sebago Lake. I'm back on the rails now around mile marker 20. Just had an amazing prearranged meal drop compliments of @Sugarhi. Pasta+shrimp, potatoes, rolls, salad, and choc chip cookies. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Tomorrow it is on to Steep Falls and then Baldwin. FYI: The leaves are starting to turn colors out here.

2009-09-13T14:42:00.001-07:00

So far, there hasn't been any particularly impressive railroad related stuff to see. Hiking on the gravel ballast is every bit as difficult as I thought it would be. The gravel shifting under my feet has worked my hips quite a bit. It's ibuprofen for dessert tonight.

2009-09-13T14:40:00.001-07:00

I had an interesting encounter in Westbrook today. I stopped to take a break at a grade crossing in Westbrook. A guy was riding his bike down the tracks where I had just come from and got attacked by bees. He ran back towards me acting like a crazy person. He got stung 3 times, once on the eyebrow. He had the official Westbrook first-aid kit with him: a backpack full of Budweiser. He popped one open and drank it and held another cold one to his face to reduce the swelling.

Last Minute Preparations

2009-09-12T13:55:00.000-07:00

With less that 24 hours left before I embark on the hike, last minute preparations are underway. Paying bills, charging batteries, gathering supplies, and conducting a few final equipment tests are a few of the tasks keeping me busy. It is almost time to start packing the backpack as well.

Since I will not be tenting on nicely prepared surfaces like you'd find at a campground, I purchased a tarp to serve as a ground cover. I found one that will fit nicely under my tent at Marden's for only $1.41. It is far better to place a cheap tarp on the ground underneath than risk wear and tear, or worse to the bottom of a $400.00 tent. I was also able to get some cheap trash bags at Marden's. Trash bags are used to waterproof food supplies, my sleeping bag, and clothing. Nobody wants to risk having their clothing absorb 20 pounds of rain water during a multi-day hike. If that happens, you are stuck in place for a few hours until things dry out.

I tested my water pump/purifier. I discovered that one of the pieces of rubber tubing had a slit in it that prevented the pump from maintaining adequate suction. A few wraps of electrical tape remedied the problem. It is always good to test the filter using a colored liquid on the supply end and ensure that it comes out clear in the bottle. Also, all tubes and fittings should be checked for mold and replaced or cleaned with bleach. I prefer to use a First Need water pump/purifier. The First Need unit has outlets that connect to narrow and wide mouth bottles as well as the drinking tube for a Platypus bag or Camelbak.

I am packing lightweight clothing, mostly nylon blend fabrics or fleece. The nylon shorts and shirts wick away sweat and dry quickly. I will carry a long-sleeve polypropelene top for chilly mornings and short-sleeve athletic shirts for after it warms up during the day. A Gore-Tex shell is a must have in order to stay relatively dry and comfortable during wet weather. I will carry a pair of lightweight fleece pants and a fleece jacket. They will make cold evenings and mornings more comfortable and also make good pillow stuffing when placed inside the sleeping bag stuff sack.

I carry a larger first-aid kit than most hikers I know. Perhaps it has to do with me being an Emergency Medical Technician. I am probably more likely to know the variety of medical problems that I could encounter in the outdoors, which supplies I need to address those medical problems, and I may be more likely than the average person to already have those supplies to begin with. In any event, I live by the adage: "It is better to have it and not need it, than not have it and need it." (The medical supplies I carry are all very light in weight, so weight is not a big consideration)

One other last minute preparation involves putting my sleeping bag in the dryer for 20 minutes on a low heat setting. This helps restore the loft of the synthetic fibers inside the bag. My bag is rated for -40 degrees; however, I have noticed that as the bag has aged, the performance has decreased. Placing it in the dryer for a while will help maximize whatever life is still left in the bag.

Menu For The Week

2009-09-10T17:53:00.000-07:00

I went grocery shopping tonight to get some needed food items for the hike. Food will be the heaviest thing I carry in the backpack, so I try to keep it as lightweight as possible. The good thing is, my pack gets lighter every hour or two as I consume food along the trail. Most of the food I eat will be dehydrated and I will just add water while cooking.

Breakfast
I have oatmeal packets (2) for breakfast each day. Oatmeal is lightweight and compact.

Lunch
For lunch, I am bringing a pepperoni stick and some cheddar cheese, and some peanut butter and raisins (a substitute for messy jelly). I will make roll-ups using tortillas. A big fluffy loaf of bread would never survive the trip.

Dinner
I have a variety of pastas and rice for dinners. I usually eat a 4.5 oz. bag of pasta or rice at each meal. I also bring along some garlic seasoning to add flavor.

Snacks
I snack throughout each day, every hour or two. This keeps my energy level up. I will eat 4-5 granola bars and a few hand-fulls of trail mix each day.

Drinks
I will be drinking plenty of water. I have a water purifier/pump that I can use to extract drinkable water from nearby streams, lakes, or ponds. I will also pack several G2 powdered drink mixes to help replenish electrolytes.

This reminds me, my Nalgene bottles are old and the painted graduations (oz. and mL) have worn off the sides. I need to apply a piece of tape to the side and use a measuring cup to mark the bottle in 4 oz. increments. This will help ensure that I don't ruin my meals. I won't pack a spare meal, so I get one shot at getting it right.

Food shopping also reminded me to make sure I pack some silverware. I'll bring one spoon and one fork. If I need a knife, I'll use the one on my multi-tool.

I will pack all of my trash out. That includes any wrappers or containers. I will bring two large resealable freezer bags to use as trash bags. (LNT Rule #3)

A Warm-Up Hike

2009-09-06T17:05:00.000-07:00

On 9-5-09 I hiked Maine's 4th highest peak, Old Speck (4180 ft.). Doing this hike a week prior to the Mountain Division Railroad gave me the opportunity to accomplish more than just bagging another 4000-footer in Maine. This hike allowed me to test my gear, my body, and my memory.

My Gear
As a general rule, you should always test new gear before embarking on a multi-day hike. A few days into a hike is not the time to discover that your gear doesn't work, doesn't fit, or that you don't know how to use it. I did not have any new gear to test on this particular warm-up hike but I was testing some older gear including a pair of old L.L. Bean boots, a pair of gaiters, and my trekking poles. I am happy to report that everything was in good working condition. It is also helpful to familiarize yourself with anything you might have to do in the dark, including setting up your tent.

My Body
Multi-day hikes can be hard on the body, especially a body that has not done a multi-day hike in a while. The warm-up hike allowed me to test my body to see if I am in good enough physical shape for the Mountain Division Railroad. I have found in the past that just because you go to the gym and do cardio and lift weights, doesn't guarantee that you will be in the best shape for a big hike. You always end up discovering some muscle that you didn't know you had, indicated by intense soreness afterward. Body parts that I paid particular attention to were my back and legs. I found that my knees were a little sore after the hike, but I am attributing that soreness to the ascent and descent, not the distance traveled. I don't believe I will have much of a problem along the railroad.

My Memory
A warm-up hike is a good time to reflect on what to bring on the multi-day hike. For example, during the warm-up hike, you can afford to leave sunscreen at home. You'll be okay if you don't bring enough food or water. Not so on a multi-day hike. As I traveled up and down the mountain, I recalled a few things that I might otherwise have forgotten in preparation for the Mountain Division Railroad hike. I utilized the electronic notepad on my smartphone to record my thoughts along the way. I will go over a list of gear that I plan to bring in an upcoming post.

Ethical Hiking

2009-09-03T14:53:00.000-07:00

While working for the US Forest Service, I was introduced to ethical hiking practices. Wearing the US Forest Service uniform meant we were looked upon as an authority both legally and in terms of our knowledge of wilderness rules and regulations. As such, we were careful to practice what we preached.

My supervisor was a Leave No Trace (LNT) trainer. She ran a few of us through the LNT training course, making sure we had the 7 principles memorized, and could explain and demonstrate each one. For those who may not be familiar with LNT, I have listed the 7 principles below:

1. Plan Ahead and Prepare
2. Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
3. Dispose of Waste Properly
4. Leave What You Find
5. Minimize Campfire Impacts
6. Respect Wildlife
7. Be Considerate of Other Visitors

As you can see, the first principle is already underway and being documented in this blog. I will refer back to these principles from time to time here and during the hike. While there is no requirement that I adhere to LNT along the Mountain Division Railroad, I believe that they are good general practices for any hike, not just those into designated wilderness.

For more information about LNT, visit their web site at: http://www.lnt.org/index.php

Geography

2009-09-02T15:48:00.000-07:00

The Mountain Division line is shown above as the red line extending from Portland, Maine north and west into the White Mountains of New Hampshire and terminating in St. Johnsbury, Vermont. My hike will consist of the roughly 50 miles between Portland and the New Hampshire state line in Fryeburg, ME.

One of the benefits of hiking along a railroad is that the grade is relatively flat as opposed to hiking directly over mountaintops. The total elevation gain for the hike is roughly 420 feet.

The rail line passes several of Maine's treasured natural resources including Sebago Lake and the Saco River.

Evolution of a hiking trip

2009-09-02T14:21:00.000-07:00

Last fall, I decided I needed to find a challenging local hike. There are many options in Western and Northern Maine but most hikes in Southern Maine are day hikes only. While I enjoy day hikes, I particularly like the full backcountry experience including setting up camp, camp cooking, and sleeping outdoors during multi-day hikes.

While living in the Portland, Maine area, I enjoyed walking the trails linking Stroudwater to outer Brighton Ave. There is an abandoned rail line known as the Maine Central Railroad, Mountain Division that passes through that area. With the success of the Amtrak Downeaster, there have been discussions about the possibility of improving the line to allow passenger train service to the North Conway, NH area. There have also been efforts to establish a hiking trail along the line. Part of that trail has already been constructed in the Windham/Standish area. Either way, it appears that the Mountain Division Railroad is viewed as a transportation corridor that will undergo change in coming years. There may not be much time left to experience the line in a state resembling its last regular use in 1982.

Having worked two seasons as a backcountry forest ranger in the White Mountain National Forest (1999, 2000), I am familiar with hiking along old railroad beds. Many of the trails in the Pemigewasset Wilderness near Lincoln, NH are old railroad beds. Most of the old railroad lines in that area were constructed to transport logs down to the mills. I have encountered some very interesting artifacts from the old logging days while bushwhacking off trail in that region. Leather shoes, old lanterns, a variety of different types of containers, hardware, and logging tools are just some of the items that I discovered. I enjoyed examining these artifacts and getting a glimpse of what life was like along the old logging railroads. I hope to find and document evidence of life along the Mountain Division railroad as well.

I plan on maintaining this blog as well as providing twitter/twitpic updates during my hike.
Twitter: @wcronin

Over the coming days, I will share some of the different aspects of planning for this hike, some of the challenges I believe I will encounter, as well as a definite start date.