Choose from three backpacking trips:
Four Ponds Maine Public Reserved Land (1.5 days)
Township E, near Rangeley, Maine
The Four Ponds MPRL is located on a high plateau. Supporting a variety of forest types and wildlife, the reserve is most known for its remote, high-elevation ponds. This out-and-back trip begins and ends at the Height of Land on Rt.17 in Rangeley, Maine. We meet late morning on day one and will hike four miles to the Sabbath Day Shelter on the AT. We will set up camp there, and spend the afternoon enjoying the ponds including swimming, exploring, relaxing, learning, and if you like, fly fishing.
Day two is a leisurely pack-up, breakfast, and hike back out to the Height of Land. Linger on a bench and take in the magnificent views before heading home.
The Four Ponds are a rich outdoor learning environment. Along with Leave No Trace foundational lessons that are simple and fun, participants will collect and analyze macroinvertebrates from the ponds and streams. Additional outdoor activities and lessons will be determined by participant interests and grade level/content area.
Bigelow Range (one night, two days)
Stratton, Maine
In the town of Stratton, we’ll begin our trip with a hike up Cranberry Peak on the Appalachian Trail. After some exploration, food, and rest, we will continue onto the Horns campsite near the Horns Pond. There, we will examine aquatic life and make a simple nature journal.
Have you ever used a pooter? How about making a fall trap for slugs and snails? You will on this trip! There are many ways to investigate nature using hobby naturalist techniques, which will be incorporated into our time together.
Day two will be a ridge walk, hiking to West Peak (4150ft) and Avery Peak (4088ft), and then down Safford Brook Trail. The Safford Brook Trail, with its house-sized boulders and rich variety of flora, leads to sparkling Flagstaff Lake. After a swim (weather permitting) we will transport you back to your cars in Stratton. Local accommodations are available. $350, includes dinner, breakfast with coffee, and shuttle back to the parking lot.
Mahoosic Range (two nights, three days)
Newry and Andover, Maine
This hike is full of geologic treasures and magnificent views. We will hike the eastern part of the Grafton Loop Trail, which begins with ascending Puzzle Mountain, granting us views of Bear Valley and the Presidentials beyond. It is an open summit, and welcomes exploration and awe. After food and rest, we’ll ascend Long Mountain, and after a gradual descent, we’ll camp for the night by a brook in the valley. On day two, we’ll hike up the East and West peaks of Baldpate Mountain, with more monoliths and massive slabs of exposed bedrock. Then, it’s down to Baldpate Camp where we’ll settle in for a fun and relaxing evening.
Skills learned along the way include highly engaging Leave No Trace and Earth Science lessons and fun, easy naturalist activities.
You’ll also have the option to participate in the following activities:
Learn 5 constellations tonight with Greek mythology. (O yah, and identify the North Star and make an astrolabe).
Test out a few models of camp stoves (Which is also a lesson in using models for outdoor writing)
Primitive camping: Make a tent out of a tarp and rope
On the morning of day three, we’ll take a short hike to Table Rock, where we’ll relax and warm ourselves on the expanse of bedrock, take in the views, and reflect. From there, it’s a short descent back to Rt. 26. $450 includes two dinners and two breakfasts with coffee, and a shuttle back to the parking lot.