Parkman Mountain Trail, Acadia National Park

Matty and I hiked the Parkman Mountain Trail today, equipped with ice cleats and poles to deal with the ice.   It was sunny and 40 degrees, perfect weather for hiking.  The trail was iced over in many spots, so we elected to hike only to a rocky outcropping before the junction with the Bald Peak Trail.   We enjoyed incredible views of the surrounding area and then headed down again.

Newman Hill (Orono)

My younger son and I hiked Newman Hill this morning. Newman Hill is located within the Caribou Bog Conservation Area and has a summit of 291 feet. There are a number of trails leading through this area including groomed cross-country ski trails. The hike was relatively easy and from the summit of Newman Hill we were able to see a far-off view of Pushaw Lake. The trails are heavily wooded and offer a nice sense of solitude close to Bangor.

Here is a map of our hike. 

Mt. Percival and Bird Hill (Northport)

My younger son and I went to Northport today to explore Mount Percival and the Newman Breslin Preserves, both owned and maintained by the Coastal Mountain Land Trust.

Mount Percival is a 73 acre Preserve in Northport featuring a 0.6 mile round trip trail leading to a forested summit.   At one point in the early 1900s there was a lookout tower at the summit but all that remains is the stone wall foundation and cistern.  

 

The trail to the summit was gradual and not strenuous.  Here is a map of our hike.  Note that parking for the preserve is along the roadway and the roadway itself was not well plowed. 

The Newman and Breslin Preserve consists of 230 acres and a 2.2 mile round trip Trail that leads from Beech Hill Road to Pitcher Pond.  The preserve also contains Bird Hill, a 570' hill with a forested summit and no formal trails.  We elected to climb Bird Hill and came to a clearing just beyond the summit which offered expansive views of the surrounding area, including Camden Hills State Park.  Here is a map of our hike.

Lack Camp and Roque Bluffs State Park

My kids and I spent the day at Lack Camp in Whitneyville and took a short side trip to Roque Bluffs State Park.  

Lack Camp is a small cabin owned by the Downeast Salmon Federation, a non-profit organization devoted to restoring habitat for salmon.   The organization is also a land trust and maintains several properties in Washington County including three cabins.  

Although close to Machias, Lack Camp has a remote feel to it.   There is a dirt road leading to the camp and the 300 foot driveway was not plowed.  There was ample room to park on the road, however, and it was easy enough to move our stuff in with a sled.  

The cabin has two rooms downstairs with bunk beds as well as a sleeping loft upstairs for a total of four beds and ample floor space.  There is a kitchen table, couch, chairs and a woodstove and a small screened in porch.  There is also an outhouse with pit toilet.  

We brought our own campstove as well as pots, pans and dishes, but there were some pots and pans there as well.  

The cabin is right on the Machias River, with a short walk leading to the river's shore.  

After arriving and eating lunch, we visited Roque Bluffs State Park and walked along the beach area.  We then returned to Lack Camp where we spent the rest of the afternoon playing Skip Bo and eating dinner. Unfortunately, due to unforeseen circumstances, we had to cut our trip short and return home that night rather than staying over.  

For more information on Lack Camp and other DSF cabins, visit https://www.mainesalmonrivers.org/land-conservation.  

Top: Lack Camp, Middle: Machias River, Bottom: Roque Bluffs State Park.

Snowshoeing Caribou Bog (Orono)

I went snowshoeing at Caribou Bog this morning at dawn.   The snowshoeing trail to the bog is a relatively flat 4.2 mile loop that travels through woods and the bog itself.   

During the two hours I was on the trail I only encountered one other person, a cross country skier.   Despite it's proximity to Bangor the bog felt remote.

 

Here is a map of my hike.