A few more inches of fresh snow fell on Wednesday. There is now plenty of snow to work with, and groomer operators are reporting great conditions everywhere. We are on our regular mid-winter grooming schedule, and cold temps will help keep things in good shape. • ITS 86 east from Berry’s Store heading toward Greenville: Intown trail is now in good shape. Boise Road, Shirley Road, Brochu Road sections are all flat and fast. The short ½ mile Power Line section near Lake Moxie is rough. Other than that, it’s great riding all the way to Greenville. • ITS 87 south heading toward Bingham: Great riding on the Divide Road. A little rough for 1 mile around Pleasant Pond, and 1 mile around Moore’s Bog. Other than that, you’re on unplowed roads with very good riding. Check out the groomed spur trail up to the Moxie Mountain Lookout. Great views of Sugarloaf and the Bigelow Range. • Bald Mountain Trail from ITS 87 to ITS 86: Great riding all the way through. There is a logging operation on the south end at Heald Stream, with a 1 mile section of shared, plowed road. Be careful through there. • Pleasant Pond Trail: This club trail has been groomed, except for 2 miles on the west end. Many sleds have been going through. • Breakneck Ridge Trail: This trail is closed for the 2012 season, due to logging and several miles of plowed roads. It is illegal to ride on unauthorized plowed roads. Please respect the landowners wishes on this. • Kennebec River Trail from Northern Outdoors to ITS 86/87: Is groomed with good riding. Scenic trail along the Kennebec River.
A late start, but we finally have great riding in The Forks. For day riders, there is a FREE PARK & RIDE LOT at Northern Outdoors on Route 201. Food, trail maps and gas are available right at the Lodge.
Last week's storm dropped 6+ inches of snow in The Forks. This really helped to improve conditions, and we are now on our regular grooming schedule. Sledders this weekend were happy with the riding. Generally speaking, trails on roads are in very good shape. Woods trails are rough, but passable. There can be ice on some of the corners, so ride with caution at all times.
ITS 86 east from Berry's Store heading toward Greenville: First mile of in town trails out of the valley are rough, but passable. After this, things improve greatly. The vast majority of this trail section all the way to Greenville, is on roads. Boise Road, Shirley Road, Brochu Road all have great riding. Short ½ mile Power Line section along Moxie Pond is rough.
ITS 87 south heading toward Bingham: Great riding on the Divide Road. Rough for 1 mile around Pleasant Pond, and 1 mile around Moore’s Bog. Other than that, you're on roads with good riding. Check out the spur trail up to the Moxie Mountain Lookout. Great views of Sugarloaf and the Bigelow Range.
Bald Mountain Trail from ITS 87 to ITS 86: Very good all the way, except for a rough 1 mile stretch about half way.
Pleasant Pond Trail: This club trail has not been groomed yet, but sleds have been going through.
Kennebec River Trail from Northern Outdoors to ITS 86/87: Has not been groomed yet, but riders are going through. Scheduled to be groomed on Tuesday.
All in all, there is finally good riding to be had. Looks like a little more snow coming in on Tuesday!
Weather Service is calling for 4” to 8” on Thursday night and Friday. This would be a big help and would improve riding greatly.
Here's the latest update: We have finally begun grooming some sections of The Forks Trail System. The warm temperatures on Tuesday, followed by the subsequent freeze up, means that there is ice in spots. Also keep in mind that although it is mid-winter, it is early season conditions. Ride with caution at all times. Generally speaking, trail sections on roads have pretty good riding. Woods trails are very poor, but passable.
ITS 86 heading east from Berry’s Store toward Greenville has been groomed. Intown is very rough, but passable. Once out of town, things improve somewhat. Road sections (Boise Road, Shirley Road, Brochu Road) have good riding.
Bald Mountain Trail heading south from ITS 86, has been groomed for the first 8 miles or so. Has not been groomed further south toward ITS 87.
ITS 87 south to Northern Outdoors has been groomed. This is mostly on the Divide Road with decent riding. Last mile into NO is rough.
ITS 87 south toward Bingham has not been groomed. Need more snow.
Kennebec River Trail has not been groomed. Need more snow.
Pleasant Pond Trail has not been groomed. Need more snow.
Jim Yearwood Trailmaster, Northern Outdoors Snowmobile Club
Food, gas and trail maps are available at the Northern Outdoors Lodge.Call 888-770-SLED for details.
New England Snowmobile enthusiasts will have a chance to explore some new territory during the weekend of January 27-29, 2012 (Friday through Sunday), for the first-ever New Hampshire-Vermont-Maine reciprocal snowmobile weekend.
Here's how the weekend works:
All snowmobiles legally registered in Vermont and New Hampshire will be able to operate on Maine trails during the three-day open weekend without a current Maine registration. All other Maine laws and rules regarding the operation of snowmobiles must be adhered to, such as speed limits, youth operation standards, etc.
The weekend of January 28th, brings top class cross country snowmobile racing to the Upper Kennebec Valley with the inaugral USSC Lake Parlin 100.
The USCC Racing circuit is the largest cross country snowmobile racing circuit in the United States and Lake Parlin will be the destination for the first East Coast race on the tour this season.
Registrations will begin at the USCC Trailer, Friday January 27th from 7-9am at Lake Parlin Lodge just off of U.S. Route 201 and again on Saturday morning from 7-8am.
Gates open at 9am and races begin at 10am Admission: $10 Adults and $5 Children
You do not need to be a professional to enter these races. There are daily memberships available as well as seasonal memberships which allow you to race just for the day!
Northern Outdoors is offering a 50% lodging discount during the weekend of January 27th through the 29th for all racing teams, staff and supporters. Come on up to join in the races or watch the action and then kick back and relax by the fire at the lodge and enjoy a handcrafted beer from the Kennebec River Pub and Brewery.
There is groomed riding from the Capital Road heading north on ITS 87 to Parlin Pond and on ITS 89 north to Jackman. Jackman has reported that they have groomed toward Pittston Farms, and Pittston Farms have groomed their trails. Rockwood trails (ITS 88) are reportedly not groomed.
There is an updated map available at the front desk at the lodge. The highlighted sections are mostly logging roads, and have been packed by the groomers. Riding on these roads is pretty good, considering the minimal snow. The short sections through the woods that connect these logging roads are very rough, but passable.
There are rideable trails (with trailering) for those who want to get out on their machines. Remember it is early season and the base is just being established, so conditions are not prime. You can’t go 70 mph, but if you want to get out, enjoy the scenery and put on a few miles, there is enjoyable riding. How to trailer to get to the riding Set your odometer to zero at Northern Outdoors. Drive north on Route 201 for 13 miles. Take a right on the Capital Road. This is a plowed logging road. Always yield to logging trucks. Follow the Capital Road for 0.9 miles where you will cross a small bridge over Cold Stream. As you are crossing the bridge, you can see the snowmobile bridge just upstream (north). About 100 yards after crossing the bridge, there is a large parking area plowed out on the left. There is also a smaller parking area plowed out on the right. Park off to the sides of these plowed areas as best as possible, to allow others in there. Unload and head north on ITS 87, toward Parlin Pond. Gas and food are available at Lake Parlin Lodge, and in Jackman and Pittston Farms.
Friday the 13th brings good winter news for Maine's snowmobile season! We received about 5" of snow yesterday and it looks like more is coming tonight. The lodge, bar, and restaurant will be open from noon to close (12am or 1am depending on who's rocking) Saturday / Sunday/ Monday of this MLK holiday weekend. Come watch the Pats on Saturday night and enjoy tasty handcrafts KRB Ales and pub fare.
We're exploring riding options and think that theres should be riding around Coburn Mountain, Parlin Pond, and north to Jackson. We'll post a full trail report when we have more info, but this is the scopp for now. We're offering a 50% discount on lodging the next couple of weekends. It's a slow start to the season, but it's a start! Stay tuned.... from The Forks.
Maine Huts & Trails recently opened a new 14.2 mile trail section that connects The Forks with the Grand Falls Hut and west onto the Bigelow Range and Carrabassett Valley, completing the full 45-mile first phase of this very exciting project.
The new section of trail opens up a variety of winter cross country ski and snow shoeing opportunities and it enables us to offer an exceptional two-day Hike & Raft package.
The Dead River Hike & Raft package starts and ends at our lodge in The Forks and incorporates a full day of hiking with spectacular scenery, a night at the Grand Falls hut with dinner and breakfast and then a full-day of whitewater rafting on the Dead River. This package will be available on all scheduled Dead River highwater trips except the September 2nd release.
The Penobscot River is a true Class IV-V Maine whitewater rafting gem, and Northern Outdoors is well known for running this river as a classic top-to-bottom river trip. The only interruption? A welcomed grilled riverside lunch between the upper and lower sections of the Penobscot River. (Not everyone runs the Penobscot that way. Some outfitters run the bottom section first, then go up and run the top. It makes for a really different trip, so ask about that when researching a Penobscot river trip.)
We start by paddling through the granite-walled Ripogenus Gorge of the Upper Penobscot River with a series of steep drops followed by pools and rapids on the Lower Penobscot section. As you float down river between rapids, the scenery doesn't get any better than seeing Mt. Katahdin, Maine's highest peak and the dominant centerpiece of Baxter State Park.
Of the three whitewater rivers in Maine - the Penobscot, Dead and Kennebec - it's the Penobscot River that beginner rafters often visit after Kennebec River rafting. Of course, avid paddlers and adventure seekers flock to conquer the "Nob" first since it's a bit more technical and challenging. Either way, it's pure unadulterated top-to-bottom fun.
Big water, epic scenery and a trip that follows the natural flow of the current...it's classic Maine whitewater rafting.
As a Maine whitewater rafting guide, there's nothing better than guiding a kid on the river for their first time. Even from the very beginning of the trip, things like teaching them how to hold our perfect kid sized paddles to how to sit in the raft are moments of excitement. Some kids are nervous and other are full of anticipation. One thing is for sure, as the day progresses and we hit the whitewater, the pure thrill of adventure can be seen in their eyes, and the big smiles that follow are priceless!
Kennebec River rafting is perfect for kids and families. Kids can raft starting at age 8 by doing the lower portion of the river and by age 10 they are ready to take on the entire trip.
Here's what our recent guests from Windham, NH had to say about taking their 8 year old rafting with us for his first time:
"My 8 year old son is going to be a river guide like Brent! Northern Outdoors' plan for younger kids to be picked up at the half way point was awesome! My younger kids still felt a part of the trip and they loved hanging out with Jim!"
Kids enjoy rafting on the Kennebec River just as much as parents, and guides love taking kids on the river. Sounds like a win-win family vacation and the perfect mix for summertime fun, huh? Maine Adventure Vacations with Kids
When it comes to iconic scenery blended with the adventure of whitewater rafting, New England has a special place. It's called the Penobscot River and in particular it's a spot named Nesowadnehunk Falls and Nesowadnehunk Stream. This week, our Maine rafting video is all about being on the water and in the water while rafting this section of the Penobscot River.
Nesowadnehhunk Falls, a.k.a. The Falls, is a rapid of pure heart-pumping enjoyment. It's rapids like this that give Maine whitewater rafting such a great reputation. As you approach The Falls, the water is calm and as you leave The Falls the water is calm, but a natural ledge lies across the length of the river in between these calm sections creating a fantastically fun 12-foot drop. Your guide can take you surfing in this drop as well as run The Falls over and over and over again.
Nesowadnehunk Stream, a.k.a. The Natural Water Slide, is just cool...literally. All ya do is sit down, lie back and enjoy the ride into a refreshing pool of natural spring water. It's whitewater rafting, New England style.
Enjoy our Maine whitewater rafting video and better yet come enjoy some Penobscot River rafting with us too!
In this week's Maine whitewater rafting video, we're honored to highlight soldiers of the Wounded Warrior Project as they take on the mighty Kennebec River. Project Odyssey Number 21 participated in three days of adventure at Northern Outdoors with the final day being a Kennebec River rafting trip.
The Wounded Warrior Project provides direct programs and services to meet the needs of injured service members. The vision of the project is to foster the most successful, well-adjusted generation of wounded warriors in this nation's history.
Thanks to all U.S. service members and a special shout out to the warriors of Project Odyssey Number 21 that went Kennebec River rafting with us. You guys are awesome!
We're not shy about the fact that our Kennebec River Brewery is on the Maine Beer Trail - a trail that spotlights fresh, hand-crafted, Maine-made beer. It's exciting news! So of course, during the Traveling Maine(rs) visit to Northern Outdoors, we included a tour of the brew process during their stay. The result? A nice mention of our Maine brewery in their Kennebec Journal article titled Get Some Exercise: Take a Hike on the Maine Beer and Wine Trails.
Here's a little on what George Smith (one of the Traveling Maine(rs), the other his wife Linda) had to say about our Maine brewery:
"Jim Yearwood and Mike McConnell spent a lot of time telling us about their brewing process. I really enjoy the smaller brewers that don't have established tours -- they just love to tell you about their beer, anytime you show up.
All but their IPA is consumed at the resort, so you'll need to get up there to see if you agree with me -- their smoky porter is superb. For the record, Lin liked the summer ale best."
For folks looking to get out and enjoy a Maine brewery, perhaps some Kennebec River rafting too, Northern Outdoors just might be right up your alley. For we have to agree with George, our smokey porter is down right superb.
Ya know, Maine whitewater rafting is a great outdoor adventure for friends and family to due during the summer. It's fun, it's active and, well, it gets ya mighty hungry. Hmm, what do you eat on a full day river trip? The guides at Northern Outdoors serve up a gourmet riverside lunch right on the banks of the Kennebec River. Really! In fact, it just might be the best wilderness lunch spot in Maine, or at least we think so!
Here's the skinny with a bit more detail:
When rafting on the Kennebec River with Northern Outdoors, you'll experience a refreshing 12-mile long guided river trip that also includes a break for lunch. We're not talking cold cuts and hot dogs here, but a real cowboy-style cookout along the river. Open fire grilled steak, chicken, salmon and veggie burgers all cooked and served by the guides. Oh, not to mention stir-fry rice, salad, cookies and drink choices like lemonade, iced tea, coffee and even hot chocolate. Of course your day would not be complete without trying our good old fashion G.O.R.P. which stands for Granola, Oats, Raisins and Peanuts with some M&M's and coconut too!
Kennebec River rafting stands alone as awesome, but it's that little extra touch like a riverside cookout that makes your Maine whitewater rafting trip downright amazing. Big waves, sunny skies, a boat load of laughs and a gourmet wilderness meal to boot.
As we say on the river...both sides ahead to the whitewater or both sides ahead to lunch!
When it comes to Maine, rafting on the Kennebec River brings thoughts of pristine high-volume water that cuts through one of Maine's most spectacular wilderness settings. While Kennebec River rafting, those that have been know that you'll experience waves that crash and splash all the while keeping you looking down river for the excitement around the next bend.
Sometimes though that excitement is the unexpected chance to hop out of the raft and free float in the water. The force of the river flowing and swiftly taking you down stream is a feeling like no other. It's about this time in the day when guests say to guides, "So you really get to do this everyday? Wow, I can't imagine the chance to go Kennebec River rafting everyday. You must love it."
Floating in the water while Kennebec River rafting is sure to bring a smile to your face, feeling of weightlessness and sense of appreciation for the force of mother nature. All the while imagining the power behind the Class II, III and IV rapids you conquered earlier in the day.
Maine outdoor writers George and Linda Smith just spent two fantastic days with us Kennebec River rafting, fishing and touring our Maine brewery for their upcoming articles on traveling Maine. Talk about the good life, the Smiths' travel throughout Maine in search of adventure, good food and, as George might say, great beer too!
Their website www.georgesmithmaine.com is "Your source for the most in-depth and timely news, information, and analysis about outdoor issues and Maine travel."
We'll be posting a series of blogs highlighting the Smiths' stay with us so let's first start by taking a glimpse at their itinerary:
Yippee, we're thrilled! Yes, you read the title of this blog right. Two separate articles on Boston.com recommend Maine whitewater rafting with Northern Outdoors this summer, and there's no better time than now to stay cool by getting on the river with us!
Maine Travel Maven and Boston Globe correspondent, Hilary Nangle, recommends Kennebec River Rafting in her 10 made-for-the-memory-books list. Check out her list item titled Roll Down the Kennebec. When describing our Kennebec River rafting trip, Nangle says it best,
" The Kennebec River is a 12-mile fun run, a whitewater roller coaster from just below the Harris Station Dam to The Forks. The biggest rapids are concentrated in the first half of the trip; after that, smaller rapids allow floating, swimming, and water fights between rafts."
Then there's this other sweet piece on Boston.com, 20 Outdoor Adventure Trips to Take this Summer which recommends "20 New England activities happening this season, journeys ranging from those for beginners to some to satisfy the most hardened athlete". Here you'll find a shout out for our Dead, Penobscot and Kennebec River rafting trips.
With temperatures here in the Northeast predicted to stay in the 90's to 100's, experiencing the thrill of Maine rafting is a sure way to beat the heat this summer. Besides, it's wicked fun too!
Maine whitewater rafting is exciting, fun and a great way to connect with the outdoors. Throw some hot weather into the mix and there's just not a better way to spend a summer day than on a Kennebec River Rafting trip. Sunshine, refreshingly clean water and a boat load of friends will beat the heat any day, especially when floating on the Kennebec River.
The rafters in this clip of the week have just the right idea - when you're not getting splashed by waves on the upper river, get in the water for a good old fashion "nose up toes up" river float. Or as we say, be part of the Kennebec River Swim Team and experience the force of the river first hand. Of course your Maine whitewater rafting guide will let you know the proper Kennebec River rafting swim spots.
As you meander down stream, don't be surprised if you see one of our video boaters catching you on camera as you float by - just be sure to wave!
The location where we put our rafts in the water to begin the day, known as the Harris Station put-in, is just below Harris Station Dam. On days deemed Turbine Test Day, all four of the turbines at the dam are run at full "test" capacity thus releasing 8,000+ CFS of water. That's more water then we see on an average day of rafting the Kennebec River, which means a lot of fun and a stellar way to experience Maine whitewater rafting.
This is an "aggressive, high adventure white water rafting trip" ... only those with a "GO FOR IT!" attitude should sign up.
In this Kennebec River rafting clip of the week, you'll see big waves and folks running a rapid that only forms at higher water levels - Maytag. Just like the washing machine, Maytag will spin ya up, down and all around. Take a look!
There are only 2 dates left this year to experience Turbine Test Day for Kennebec River rafting, September 10 & September 24. Come have some high water Maine whitewater rafting fun!
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When it comes to Maine, rafting on the Kennebec River brings thoughts of pristine high-volume water that cuts through one of Maine's most spectacular wilderness settings. While 
Maine outdoor writers George and Linda Smith
Yippee, we're thrilled! Yes, you read the title of this blog right. Two separate articles on Boston.com recommend Maine whitewater rafting with 
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