Maine’s Lakes & Mountains Blog

Maine is the epitome of the great outdoors! Maine is famous for its clean lakes and rivers, forests and impeccable beauty, perfect for all sorts of sportsman. Fishing and hunting are part of Maine’s history and a pastime that people continue to participate in every year. If you haven’t fly-fished in Maine or if you haven’t been fly fishing period, here are a few reasons to start!

1.    1. Maine is beautiful. Finding rivers and lakes to fly fish on in Maine’s lakes and mountains region allows you to take in the pristine lakes and awe-inspiring mountains views in a way where you feel like you are one with nature. The unparalleled surroundings are stunning.

2.     It’s relaxing. Sometimes we allow our lives to get a little too busy and cluttered. We constantly have our phones with us and computers on, sometimes it’s important to make sure you disconnect. Fly fishing takes time and patience. When you are spending that time taking in the scenery and honing your craft it, gives you a chance to take it all in, think and finally relax.

3.     Maine has fantastic fly fishing guide services. Maine fly fishing guides offer unique fly fishing experiences and trips. Before you book your trip check out some of the local guides!

4.     It’s family friendly. Fly fishing can be something the whole family does. Many Maine guides offer courses for children. Fly fishing provides the family with an activity they can do that promotes quality time spent with your children. It also allows you to explore Maine, picnic, camp and check out other local activities as a family.

5.     Other local activities! Western Maine lakes and mountains offer opportunities for hiking, sightseeing, exploring, biking, picnicking, swimming, skiing and more. As long as you are in the area fly fishing check out some of the other local activities.

6.     It’s rich in history and tradition. Rangeley’s rich outdoor sporting history, traditions and personalities come alive at the Rangeley Outdoor Sporting and Heritage Museum..

7.     It’s close! The great part about fly fishing in Western Maine is that, fishing is only a couple hours or less away from Portland, Maine. This means you can take a day trip when short on time to get some fly fishing in.

8.     Multi-day fishing excursions! If you are looking for a fly fishing trip there are plenty of tours/trips to choose from. Call your local Maine Fishing Guide to find out more about multi-day tours.

9.     Hatches. There are several hatches that happen throughout the year. They are stunning to see and when a hatch all of a sudden surrounds you and you see the fish start jumping it’s the most amazing sight. And, it just happens to be the perfect time for you to start fly fishing. Note: Pay close attention to the type of hatch it is, this will help you choose your fly and help you catch a fish!

10.FISH! If you love fish, you should try fly fishing. It’s really what fishing is all about right? If you want to enjoy fish like you never have before, you have to catch it yourself!

If you are looking for something fun to do with your spring vacation in Maine this year here are a few deals that will provide you with endless entertainment. Check them out!

1. Red, White and Blues Weekend: The Red White and Blues weekend getaway package is perfect for a family weekend getaway. Taking place the last official weekend of spring, the package is for those looking to celebrate and welcome the summer. The package includes 3 days and 2 nights lodging, meals, tickets to the Blues Festival and daily activities. There is also free shuttle service between the resort and the festival.
2. Diners, Drive-in, And Drives: Starting at just $199, 2 nights for 2 people in upgraded room, 2 dinners at our local 50′s style diner, 2 tickets to our double-screen drive-in movie theater, and driving directions to many great nearby scenic attractions!
3. Reggae Festival Ski and Stay Packages: Love spring skiing? Then the Sugarloaf Reggae Fest Ski and Stay packages are for you. Starting at just $119 per person/night, these packages include lodging, lift ticket and acces to the Sugarloaf sports and fitness center. Not to mention you’ll get to take in some great reggae music at the 24^th Annual Bud Light Reggae Festival.
4. Parrot Head Festival:  Parrot Head Festival is Sunday River’s annual spring celebration and biggest party of the year. Enjoy Parrot Head inspired music, margaritas, a pond-skimming contest and great spring skiing. Starting at just $119 per person/night these packages include lodging, lift tickets, ski lessons and breakfast for guests at the hotel and Snow Cap Inn.

Be sure to check out local area hotels, inns and bed and breakfasts for spring getaway specials. Looking for a romantic getaway? Check out our romantic getaway blog post!

Nearly 400 different species of birds have been recorded in Maine. The diverse landscape of Maine provides a perfect habitat for many varieties of birds. Maine is known as the only state to have puffin-breeding colonies and is also known as the state with the highest population of Bald Eagles in the Northeast. Not only is the state a perfect place for birds to live it’s also a great destination for passionate birders.

Although you can find excellent bird watching locations all over the state, here are the Top 10 locations for birding in the Lakes and Mountains region.

1.    Brownfield Bog: Located in Brownfield, Maine, Brownfield Bog is part of the Saco River and is known as the most reliable location to spot Yellow-throated Vireos and Blue-gray Gnatcatchers. You will also spot Yellow-billed and Black-billed Cuckoos as well as Least Bitterns, Wilson’s Snipes, and Virginia Rails.

2.    Thorncrag Nature Sanctuary: Overlooking Lewiston Maine, the Stanton Bird Club manages this 372-acre sanctuary. Walking the trails you will hear and see many common songbirds.

3.    Sabattus Pond: Semipalmated, Least, White-rumped Sandpipers, Pectoral Sandpipers, Black-bellied Plovers and Sanderlings are just some of the types of birds you’ll see here. Through the fall and winter months you’ll also see many different types of ducks.

4.    Greater Lovell Land Trust: Several different preserves in the area offer ample opportunity for birders; the Sucker Brook Preserve, Heald Pond Preserve, and Bradley Pond Preserve are home of common Warblers, Woodpeckers, and Flycatchers.

5.    White Mountain National Forest: Waterfowl are abundant in the spring and fall. A wide variety of other birds also take habitat here, as the landscape is ever changing offering a home for many different species.

6.    Grafton Notch State Park: Grafton Notch State Park is one of the 6 State Parks in the Western Lakes and Mountains area offering a variety of birding species – Peregrine Falcon, Black-backed Woodpeckers, Yellow-bellied Flycatchers, Bay-breasted Warblers and Bicknell’s Thrushes to name a few.

7.    Mt. Blue State Park: At Maine’s second largest state park, you can find Hermit Thrushes, Winter Wrens, Warblers and Scarlet Tanagers. The Scarlet Tanagers are often heard from the parking lot!

8.    Rangeley Lake State Park: Rangeley Lake State Park has plenty of trails that are great for seeing some of Maine’s common songbirds.

9.    Bald Mountain: The high altitude of Bald Mountain makes it a great spot for seeing boreal species.

10.Bigelow Preserve: Because of the varying peaks and the rapidly changing habitat, the Bigelow Preserve offers a wide range of birds to view. Bicknell’s Thrushes can be heard and seen while hiking the trails.

Maine offers guided birding tours and excellent birding information check out these resources below:

Maine Birding.net

The Stanton Bird Club

King and Bartlett

Also, be sure to download the free Maine Birding guide offered by the Maine Office of Tourism for more information.

Western Maine’s lakes and mountains region is the perfect spot to steal a romantic getaway as the scenery adds to the experience. The area has plenty of inns, hotels, and bed & breakfasts to choose from as well as plenty of shops, restaurants and activities that lend themselves to the perfect setting for a romantic getaway. Below is a list of some of our favorites, however make sure you check out our “Where to Stay” directory to find more romantic getaway choices.

1. The Noble House Inn, which received Yankee Magazine’s editors choice award, offers a “Honeymoon Inn Style” package. The title says it all, but you don’t necessarily need to be on your honeymoon to take advantage of this very romantic Maine getaway.

What does this amazing package include? For starters the package includes a 3-night stay in the romantic Noble Inn Suite. This suite includes a luxurious king size bed, Jacuzzi tub and private sitting area, as well as amazing scenic views. Expect flowers upon arrival, a rise and shine mimosa service, and a rose petal turndown service with gourmet chocolates. If that doesn’t sound romantic enough, you will also receive two Turkish cotton robes and a gourmet breakfast each morning.

As an a la carte option you can also add on a chocolate and wine pairing, in suite 1-hour massages, in suite spa treatment facials and/or a bottle of chilled champagne.

Located in Bridgton, Maine, The Noble House Inn overlooks Highland Lake.

2. The Oxford House Inn, in Fryeburg, Maine is “The Ultimate Romantic Getaway”, I mean that’s the name of the package!! This package provides a relaxing and indulgent atmosphere perfect for romance.

The package includes 2 nights lodging in the Porch Room Suite, which includes a king bed, 2-person whirlpool tub, and a glassed-in sun filled porch.

Upon arrival, you receive a ½ bottle of wine or champagne, an artisanal cheese and fruit plate and a box of homemade chocolate truffles. Breakfast each morning overlooks the White Mountains. You will also receive a $50 gift card toward dinner at Jonathan’s, which is the Inn’s granite walled bistro featuring “free style” pub fare.

On your second night, you will receive a 3-course candlelit dinner for two in the dining room.

This package also includes two one-hour massages. Who doesn’t love that?!

3. Bear Mountain Inn in Waterford, Maine offers a couple romantic getaway packages in the spring, the “Spring Fling” and the “Spring Getaway” packages are perfect for a romantic spring experience.

You can choose from anyone of the luxury suites offered by Bear Mountain Inn. All the suites include an in-room Jacuzzi & fireplace perfect to set the ambiance.

The package also includes homemade cookies and afternoon tea fireside in the gathering room, a gourmet breakfast each morning and use of the outdoor Jacuzzi hot tub.

If you are visiting in the cooler months, complementary snowshoes and cross-country skis are available for use on the Bear Mountain Inn trails.

To find more romantic Maine getaways check out the listings of inns and bed & breakfasts in the Western Maine lakes and mountains region.

Maine lakes and mountains region is a perfect place to cross country ski. Whether you are breaking your own trails at one of the 6 state parks in the area or skiing on the groomed trails provided by the different outfitters in the area, cross country skiing is a great way to take in the scenery and get some exercise. Below is a list of some of the best places to cross country ski in Western Maine.

1. Maine Huts & Trails: Offering 45 miles of groomed cross country trails at no fee, Maine Huts & Trails also offers several adventure packages. You can stop in one of their huts for a homemade lunch or you can stay in the huts during your multi-day adventure. The trails are great for both traditional cross-country and skate skiing. Snowshoes are also welcome on the trail and encouraged for Nordic skiers that may want to venture off trail.
2. Sugarloaf Outdoor Center: Is the largest Nordic ski center in Maine with 48 miles of groomed trails. Use of the outdoor centers facilities; trails, ice rink and rentals are all included in your lift ticket price. So, if you’ve had a day for downhill and you’re looking for some more adventure, this is the place! The outdoor center’s trails offer amazing views of Sugarloaf Mountain to take in while you are skiing.
3. Rangeley Lakes Trails Center: At the base of Saddleback Mountain in Rangeley, these cross-country trails consist of 40 miles of groomed trails.
4. Sunday River: Sunday River Cross Country Ski Center in the Bethel area offers 22 miles of groomed trails. They offer a good variety of trails from easiest to most difficult for the more experienced cross-country skier. And, Sunday River is not alone in Bethel, as the area has 6 different cross-country centers, as well as the Bethel Inn that provides another 25 miles of groomed trails.
5. Carter’s XC Skiing in Oxford and Bethel: Together the two centers offer almost 60 miles of groomed cross country ski tails. Bethel trails offer excellent views of the Mahoosuc and Presidential Ranges and the Oxford trails offer some of the best beginner to intermediate trails in New England.

You can also find some great groomed cross-country skiing trails at the following:

1. Black Mountain in Rumford,
2. Titcomb Mountain in West Farmington,
3. Spruce Mountain in Jay,
4. Lost Valley in Auburn,
5. 10.  Or, one of the nearly two dozen commercial cross-country touring centers listed on our site.

So get out there and visit some of these beautiful well-groomed trails totaling more than 265 miles for cross country skiers and snowshoers alike. You won’t regret it.

Have you stuck the Sugarloaf Mountain sticker anywhere? Taken a picture of the Sugarloaf sticker when you saw it in a spot that was unexpected? Well, you are not the only one. In fact there is an entire website dedicated to pictures of the Sugarloaf sticker stuck in random places.

You can now find the Sugarloaf sticker on all 7 continents, yes, that’s including Antarctica. It’s been seen on the top of Mount Everest, there is a Sugarloaf Sticker Flickr Group, Facebook page and it’s been talked about in ski magazines and news sources alike. Now if that’s not a marketer’s dream I don’t know what is.

A little history; the Sugarloaf logo was created by a local graphic designer named Bob Tyler, back in 1959. He worked for a company called Knowlton-McLeary Printing on Church Street in Farmington, the same spot later became the home the Ski Museum of Maine, however the museum has now moved to downtown Kingfield. The Sugarloaf logo is perhaps the most known/recognizable Ski logo in American ski history. One can say that it’s even legendary.

In “The Story of Sugarloaf,” Peter Webber says, “If God were to build a ski mountain, He would start with a triangle and face it north, with the steepest terrain at the top and gentler slopes at the bottom. This idyllic mountain would also lend itself to one of the most recognizable logos — one that has been seen all over the world. It makes us proud when we see the famous Sugarloaf triangle in some of the strangest places.” – Maine Outdoor Journal

Essentially, that simple logo has become part of an ever-growing community of those that consider themselves to be “Loafers.” Loafers may just be the biggest brand evangelists yet, which may have some thinking what’s the big deal?

Well, if you haven’t had the chance to experience Sugarloaf yet, go check it out and see for yourself.

Resources:
http://community.sugarloaf.com/photo/albums/2245586:Album:41

http://maineoutdoorjournal.mainetoday.com/story.php?id=310075&ac=Outdoors

So, whether you are visiting Maine for a winter vacation or you are looking for things to do during your kid’s winter vacation from school, Maine has plenty of activities to fill your days. Here’s a great list of activities that are fun for the whole family!

1. Ski/snowshoe/cross country: This is a great way to get out of the house and enjoy the great outdoors. Yes, it’s cold. But, when you start snowshoeing or cross country skiing you will soon be very warm as it’s a fantastic workout and a great way to take in the winter scenery. There are plenty of ski mountains, trails, fields, frozen lakes and state parks that are perfect for anyone of these activities.

2.  Ice Skating:Maine’s lakes and mountains region has plenty of amazingly beautiful and iced over lakes to choose from in the winter. You can also visit local community centers, many of which provide ice skating for the public. Chambers of Commerce can provide information on ice safety.

3.  Dog Sledding: That’s right; dog sledding isn’t just for those people who are in Alaska or the Arctic. Maine has plenty of snow and this activity is quite an experience. There are several dog sledding companies in the area, Rangeley Region Sleddog Adventures, Sunday River Outdoor Center, the Telemark Inn and Winter Journeys to name a few, are in Western Maine’s Lakes and Mountains region.

4.  Snowmobiling: One of Maine’s most popular activities! With hundreds of thousands of people participating in this activity, it’s a fun way to cover a lot of ground and take in Maine’s forests, mountainsides and frozen lakes.

5. Snow Tubing:We’ve all gone sledding before, but snow tubing offers a new and sometimes a bit more extreme experience. There are several snow tubing parks in Maine all offering different level trails to sled down and a lift service to drag you and your tube back up the hill! Check out these local snow tubing facilities; Seacoast Snow Park in Windham, Oxford Plains Snow Tubing Park, also ski resorts, Sunday River and Sugarloaf offer snow tubing for kids!

So what are you waiting for? Get out there and have some fun on your winter vacation! What’s your favorite activity?

Kite Boarding

Get creative, Maine Lakes offer fun in all seasons, especially when they are fully iced over.

First thing is first, how can you tell if a Maine Lake is frozen enough? Here are a few tips for checking ice safety:

• Look for cracks in the ice; this is a good way to see how deep the ice is.  If the ice is 4 inches or more it’s safe to walk on, it must be more than 5 inches deep for snowmobiles and other vehicles to be safe.
• Dark fresh ice is the safest. Ice that is covered with snow is more insulated and warmer, chances are it is less frozen.
• Check for known thin ice areas with a local resort or bait shop.
• Test the thickness yourself using an ice chisel or ice auger to measure the ice depth.

So, now that we have safety out of the way, here are a few ways to enjoy Maine lakes in the winter.

1. Skating: While this is one of the more obvious things you can do on the ice it’s a classic and a must do.
2. Ice Fishing: There is a long tradition of ice fishing in Maine.  Ice fishing is a great way to enjoy a day of fishing even when the lakes and rivers are frozen, and it’s as easy as taking out the ice auger and rigging a line through the ice. Make sure to check out local outfitters and Chambers of Commerce can provide information on ice safety and fishing hot spots.
3. Ice Board Sailing/Kite Boarding: Drive by Long Lake in Naples, Maine on a cool windy day and you just might see some folks out there Kite Boarding.  This is a fairly new sport and something you will want to take all safety precautions with, but it’s really cool.  Essentially, it’s wind surfing on ice but you use a large kite and strap on a snowboard, instead of a surfboard.
4. Walking: Walking is such great exercise and Maine Lakes offer beautiful scenery to take in as you walk. An easy way to take part in this activity is to grab some ice cleats and strap them onto your boots for a non-slip surface.
5. Ice/Broom Hockey: This is just like hockey but played for fun using a broom and a ball, puck, or anything you can find. Of course if you have ice hockey equipment you can always stick with the traditional game.  You can use real goals or just set up snow barriers.
6. Dog Sledding: Now, most of us are not pro mushers and don’t have actual equipment for dog sledding, but having the family pet drag you across the ice while in a snow tube or sled can be quite fun!
7. Curling: This sport is extremely popular in Canada and was recently added as an Olympic game event.  Essentially it’s like shuffleboard, you slide a hockey puck across the ice towards a target and whoever lands closest to the middle of the target wins.  Technically you should have two teams of 4 to play, but you can certainly play one on one.

Maine lakes can be just as much fun in the winter as they are in the warmer months. With proper safety precautions, Maine lakes can offer plenty of opportunities for winter activities.

Do you have any traditional or non-traditional activities that you participate in on frozen Maine lakes that we haven’t mentioned here? Share them with us in the comments section.

Maine offers some of, if not the best skiing in the Northeast. Western Maine’s Mountains offers the largest ski area East of the Rockies and many of these resorts offer trails for the expert skier.

If you’ve ever heard the saying, “If you can ski in the East, you can ski anywhere”, this is what they are referring to. With the combination of the mountains’ expert trails and Maine’s difficult snow conditions, you are bound to obtain an exhilarating ski experience.

1. Sugarloaf: Sugarloaf Mountain is the second highest peak in Maine, next to Mount Katahdin, at 4,237 ft. and is the largest ski area east of the Rockies. Sugarloaf offers 60 expert ski trails with 39 expert black diamond and 21 ultra-expert double-black diamonds. Sugarloaf also has 20 glades and three terrain parks with areas geared toward expert levels.

2.  Sunday River: Offers 42 expert trails and challenging terrain with steeps and glades, including the legendary “longest steepest widest lift-serviced trail in the east,” White Heat. Sunday River’s summit elevation is 3,140 ft. and White Cap peak has its highest vertical drop of 1,630 ft.

3. Saddleback: Coming in third for number of black and double-black diamond trails has a respectable 22 expert trails.  The mountain’s elevation is 4,130 ft. being the second highest ski mountain in Maine. Saddleback also offers snowfields, terrain parks and has a 2,000 ft. vertical drop.

While these three Western Maine ski and snowboard mountains boast the most expert terrain, we didn’t want to leave out Shawnee Peak and Mount Abram, as they offer expert skiing as well.

Most would not guess that Shawnee Peak had many expert trails to offer being a smaller mountain in Western Maine, but it has 14 expert trails and a 1,300 ft. vertical drop.  And, Mt. Abram almost ties Shawnee with 13 expert trails and a 1,150 ft. vertical drop.

Of course all the mountains in Western Maine offer excellent opportunities for skiing and snowboarding for the whole family, with more moderate and beginner trail options. What’s your favorite expert trail in Maine? Share your ski/boarding experiences with us here!