I had a fantastic ski on this nine-mile or so trail system, which takes you through forests and a massive bog, and includes a sweet warming hut with a stove — kindling, matches and wood provided. Don Nodine, who is “one of the trail systems’ originators, architects, groomers and a die-hard X-C skier,” according to
This is a nice walk along the Grindstone rapids in the East Branch of the Penobscot River. When I walked it in March 2017, the trail was unmarked except for some plastic tags tied to branches. Nonetheless, the 0.9-mile path was easy to follow. The best place to park is at the Grindstone Falls picnic
When I visited, the East Branch Sno Rovers had groomed the eight miles or so of trails around its base of operations. The trails near the river are the loveliest. The skiing is flat and easy, very pleasant, and well marked with periodic maps along the way. Katahdin Area Trails has more information about
If you are looking for a walk that you can do in any season, one that doesn’t require walking up a hill and yet still offers lovely views of Katahdin and surrounding hills, this one is for you! The River Pond Nature Trail, on Katahdin Forest Management timber land, is accessible in all seasons (except
When you ski at Hammond Ridge, it’s easy to feel like you’re an Olympian ski champion! The trails sweep back and forth along the ridges above Millinocket Lake, and are fast without being hairy. The trails are groomed for skate and classic skiing, and there’s a mix of beginner, intermediate, and expert trails —
Bait Hole trails have roughly seven miles of Nordic skiing and snowshoe trails (or walking/biking trails, depending on the season). The ski trails, which are groomed after major snowstorms, are fairly flat and easy, with a few smallish hills. Some of them pass along the shores of Elbow Lake, with views of distant mountains, including
This is an in-town paved trail, about 1.7 miles if you do the full loop. It’s really well done! More than half of it is paved trail along the river. The rest follows quiet residential sidewalks. The path is a nice tribute to Michael Michaud, a long-serving congressman from East Millinocket. Directions: The best place