AMC continues to monitor the latest guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to welcome guests and volunteers into AMC spaces and activities. We expect to update practices and policies throughout the coming months, and it’s important to know the latest updates before you go whether you are attending an AMC activity or event or preparing to stay with us at one of our camps or lodges.
As we have all learned throughout the pandemic, every individual has their own risk tolerance. While AMC has taken steps to mitigate some risk, there are still inherent risks involved in overnight lodging, indoor dining, and group travel and activities. Individuals choosing to stay at an AMC hut or lodge or participate in an AMC program in 2023 are assuming personal responsibility and accepting increased risks regarding COVID-19. If you feel uncomfortable with these risks, AMC suggests you delay or modify your adventure to when you feel comfortable joining us. For more detailed information specific to your destination, call our Contact Service Center at 603-466-2727 or email [email protected].
Gravel Bike Ride
We'll explore some terrific dirt and paved roads on this loop ride through Durham/Pownal/New Gloucester. Mileage will be in the 18-22-mile range. Pace will be relaxed (around 12 mph).
Please Join the Appalachian Mountain Club on April 25th at the Curtis Memorial Library at 7 pm for a presentation of Trailside Birding. Trailside Birding is a crash course in observing and enjoying birds while out on the trail this season. We will learn about common habitats and bird species found on trails in Maine, tools to observe them, and tips to help tell them apart from each other, including some practice identifying birds by their songs, and a discussion of the threats many of these species face.
Andy Kapinos is a Field Naturalist at Maine Audubon. Originally from Western Massachusetts, he has worked previously as a high school teacher of Nature Study, and studied Agroecology and Sustainable Farming at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences and UMass - Amherst. His interests include birds, native plants, ethnobotany, ecology,and the intersections therein. He also enjoys cooking, playing music, and hiking with his dog Rosie.
Maine Chapter In-Person Outdoor Leadership Training
The Maine Chapter will host in-person Outdoor Leadership Training April 26 - 28, 2024, at The Maine Houses in Bryant Pond (Woodstock), ME.
The training will help you develop your Leadership Skills through instruction and role play of various scenarios you may encounter while leading an AMC trip. The Course will also cover the recommended elements of Leadership Training as outlined in the organizational Leadership Requirements and Guidelines (LRG's) and the Outdoor Leader Handbook developed by AMC.
The training will be the held over the weekend in two sections. One section will be for those individuals that are interested in becoming a Maine Chapter Front Country Leader, leading hiking trips, urban walks, etc. that are within a minimum of one hour from Emergency Services. This will be combined with a section for those individuals that are interested in becoming a Maine Chapter Back Country Trip Leader, leading more strenuous back country trips, backpacking trips, multi-day hikes, extended biking trips, longer paddling trips, etc.
Those individuals interested in becoming a Front Country Trip Leader will attend from Friday evening through dinner on Saturday. Those interested in becoming a Back Country Trip Leader will attend from Friday evening through Sunday late afternoon.
The Chapter will provide food for the weekend and will ask for volunteers from the trainees to help us prepare meals for the Trainers and Trainees.
Registration Fee: $80 per person. Your registration fee includes lodging with a variety of beds and bunks with all bedding and pillows provided, food and training costs. The facility has 9 shared bedrooms, 7 ½ bathrooms, a large gathering room, a fully equipped kitchen, and outdoor recreation space located on Lake Christopher.
Please contact the Maine Chapter Leadership Development Committee Chair ([email protected]) if you have any questions concerning how this training will fit into your path to becoming an Effective AMC Trip Leader.
Friday, April 26, 2023, arrive by 6:30 PM
Welcome and Introductions
Community Building
Leadership Approaches
Saturday, April 27, 2023
Trip Planning
Participant Screening
Risk Management and Leader Liability
Accident Scene Management
Maine Woods Initiative (MWI)
Environmental Stewardship
Leave No Trace
DEI
Getting Families Outdoors
Conclusion of Section 1 - What's Next
Sunday, April 28, 2023
Review of Saturday Sessions
Group Dynamics
On-trail scenarios with Back Country focus
Conclusion of Section 2 - What's Next
Depart 3:00 PM
Dates
Friday, April 26th 2024, 6:30 PM – Sunday, April 28th 2024 3:00 PM
BASIC TRAIL CARE SKILL-BUILDING - ROYAL RIVER LAND TRUST TRAIL, 1:00 TO 3:00 PM
Join us for a hands-on trail care experience led by a knowledgeable AMC volunteer trail crew leader. In this session, you'll gain essential skills in trail maintenance, including understanding trail corridor dimensions, tree and shrub pruning techniques, and proper trail blaze sizing and placement.
We'll be actively using tools such as loppers, saws, rakes, and paint for blazing trails, as well as addressing the removal of invasive species. All participants are required to register in advance.
Choose from three available sessions on Sunday, April 28:
1. 8:00-10:00 am
2. 10:30 am - 12:30 pm
3. 1:00 - 3:00 pm (current session)
This year's Skill Building event will take place at Pisgah Hill Preserve (South) in New Gloucester. Our focus will a section being rerouted of the 1.2-mile loop trail where it intersects with a drainage channel. We'll be re-blazing the trail with paint instead of markers and addressing invasive glossy buckthorn and shrubby honeysuckle.
For your safety and comfort, please bring safety glasses, gloves, suitable work clothes, a hat, and insect repellent for ticks and mosquitoes. Kindly arrive 10 minutes early to ensure a prompt start.
You must feel healthy enough to hike on uneven surfaces, hike up a hill, and perform basic trail maintenance.
Basic Trail Care Skill-Building - Royal River Land Trust Trail, 08:00 to 3:00 PM
Join us for a hands-on trail care experience led by a knowledgeable AMC volunteer trail crew leader. In this session, you'll gain essential skills in trail maintenance, including understanding trail corridor dimensions, tree and shrub pruning techniques, and proper trail blaze sizing and placement.
We'll be actively using tools such as loppers, saws, rakes, and paint for blazing trails, as well as addressing the removal of invasive species. All participants are required to register in advance.
This year's Skill Building event will take place at Pisgah Hill Preserve (South) in New Gloucester. Our focus will a section being rerouted of the 1.2-mile loop trail where it intersects with a drainage channel. We'll be re-blazing the trail with paint instead of markers and addressing invasive glossy buckthorn and shrubby honeysuckle.
For your safety and comfort, please bring safety glasses, gloves, suitable work clothes, a hat, and insect repellent for ticks and mosquitoes. Kindly arrive 10 minutes early to ensure a prompt start.
You must feel healthy enough to hike on uneven surfaces, hike up a hill, and perform basic trail maintenance.
Basic Trail Care Skill-Building - Royal River Land Trust Trail, 08:00 to 10:00 am
Join us for a hands-on trail care experience led by a knowledgeable AMC volunteer trail crew leader. In this session, you'll gain essential skills in trail maintenance, including understanding trail corridor dimensions, tree and shrub pruning techniques, and proper trail blaze sizing and placement.
We'll be actively using tools such as loppers, saws, rakes, and paint for blazing trails, as well as addressing the removal of invasive species. All participants are required to register in advance.
Choose from three available sessions on Sunday, April 28:
1. 8:00-10:00 am (current session)
2. 10:30 am - 12:30 pm
3. 1:00 - 3:00 pm
This year's Skill Building event will take place at Pisgah Hill Preserve (South) in New Gloucester. Our focus will a section being rerouted of the 1.2-mile loop trail where it intersects with a drainage channel. We'll be re-blazing the trail with paint instead of markers and addressing invasive glossy buckthorn and shrubby honeysuckle.
For your safety and comfort, please bring safety glasses, gloves, suitable work clothes, a hat, and insect repellent for ticks and mosquitoes. Kindly arrive 10 minutes early to ensure a prompt start.
You must feel healthy enough to hike on uneven surfaces, hike up a hill, and perform basic trail maintenance.
BASIC TRAIL CARE SKILL-BUILDING - ROYAL RIVER LAND TRUST TRAIL, 10:30 TO 12:30 PM
Join us for a hands-on trail care experience led by a knowledgeable AMC volunteer trail crew leader. In this session, you'll gain essential skills in trail maintenance, including understanding trail corridor dimensions, tree and shrub pruning techniques, and proper trail blaze sizing and placement.
We'll be actively using tools such as loppers, saws, rakes, and paint for blazing trails, as well as addressing the removal of invasive species. All participants are required to register in advance.
Choose from three available sessions on Sunday, April 28:
1. 8:00-10:00 am
2. 10:30 am - 12:30 pm (current session)
3. 1:00 - 3:00 pm
This year's Skill Building event will take place at Pisgah Hill Preserve (South) in New Gloucester. Our focus will a section being rerouted of the 1.2-mile loop trail where it intersects with a drainage channel. We'll be re-blazing the trail with paint instead of markers and addressing invasive glossy buckthorn and shrubby honeysuckle.
For your safety and comfort, please bring safety glasses, gloves, suitable work clothes, a hat, and insect repellent for ticks and mosquitoes. Kindly arrive 10 minutes early to ensure a prompt start.
You must feel healthy enough to hike on uneven surfaces, hike up a hill, and perform basic trail maintenance.
Trail Maintenance on Appalachian Trail, Stratton, Maine
Annual Spring Trail Maintenance on a 3.2-mile section of the AT in Carrabassett Valley (6.4 miles round trip). This is a moderate hike, which we will take at a working pace. Type of work: clearing blowdowns, cleaning water bars and other basic maintenance. Please bring your own trail work gloves, water, lunch, wear appropriate clothing (long pants/long sleeve shirt, boots, hat, sunscreen, bug spray, etc.) We will have some tools available but if you have your own, please bring them.
The trip will meet in the morning and will work for about 6-1/2 hours
Registration for this trip closes April 28th at 5pm. I will notify all registered participants about 5 days in advance with meeting location, meeting time and weather update.
Join the Maine Chapter as we support Loon Echo Land Trust to do "Spring cleanup" trail work trip on Pleasant Mountain, Bridgton Maine. We will hike approximately 3.5-4 miles round trip, elevation gain is 1,600 feet while working along the way. NO experience necessary, volunteers will be trained "on the job" with approved AMC techniques.
The trip will leave mid morning and will end mid afternoon for approximately 6 hours. During my screening call I disclose where and when to meet.
Type of work: easy maintenance, trimming vegetation, cleaning water bars, remove rocks and branches, etc. Maine Chapter will supply tools, but if you have your own, please bring your own. Please bring your own trail work gloves, water, and lunch/snacks. Please wear appropriate clothing (long pants/long sleeve shirt, boots, hat), sunscreen, bug spray, etc.
Registration for this trip closes Monday, April 29, 2024
I invite you to come spend the day with the AMC and Coastal Rivers Conservation Trust for a guided cultural tour of the historical and protected Whaleback Shell Midden. The site once contained a massive oyster shell heap (midden) formed over a period of more than 1,500 years by Native Americans. Much of the midden was removed in the late 1880s, as a result only a small portion of the Whaleback Shell Midden remains.
Managed in cooperation with the Coastal Rivers Conservation Trust, and the area around the middens is now a State Historic Site that includes the midden and small hiking trails. Nearby the site is Roundtop Farm that also has amazing views of the river (estuary) and additional walking trails. Our guide will share with us the history of this beautiful, protected area as well as the history of Roundtop Farm.
After the guided tour we will have a picnic lunch at Roundtop Farm and then if interested will travel over to Salt Bay Farm and Nature Center to explore another midden and dwellings made of local natural materials that students created as part of Coastal Rivers' Wabanaki Living Skills and Culture Program. Other highlights of the Salt Bay Farm we might see include nesting ground birds, spawning horseshoe crabs, osprey and eagles, marsh birds like sora, migrating elvers (American eels).
This outing would be classified as easy walking on uneven ground that could have some wet spots, doing 2 miles at the Whaleback Shell Midden and Roundtop Farm, then 2 ½ miles at Salt Bay Farm and Nature Center.
To participate, registration will be required and detailed information will be provided at that time.
Waterbars and brushing are needed on this popular 1.7 mile trail near Rumford Center. We are working in support of Mahoosuc Land Trust in helping to improve this footpath. The views from the top are spectacular. Let's check that out together.
Join AMC Maine Young Members for a weekend of camping and hiking in the beautiful North Maine Woods near Greenville!
We'll spend Friday and Saturday night at a campsite on Long Pond and will plan to do a 8-mile loop hike of Gulf Hagas on Saturday. Sunday morning we'll help out with some clean-up work at a nearby AMC camp with plenty of options for other hikes in the area Sunday afternoon.
The KI-Jo Mary Forest charges a use/camping fee of $26/day (for Maine residents) or $31/day (for non-Maine residents). Participants should also plan to bring their own gear and food for the weekend.
The summit 2214ft. This is a moderate 4.6 mile roundtrip hike. The summit has a 360 view which is spectacular. It includes Black Mt. the White mountains of New Hampshire, Mt Zircon and many summits of Oxford Hills
Trail Work Weekend at Little Lyford Lodge and Cabins
Trail work trip at Little Lyford Lodge and Cabins. We will patrol nearby trails removing blowdowns and clearing drainages in preparation for the coming prime hiking season. Prime fly fishing season and black fly season. Hoping the fish are biting more than the black flies. Contact Leader for details.
Registration for this trip closes Sunday, May 15, 2024 or when capacity is reached.
Group lodging in bunkhouse and cabins shared bath house, kayak/canoe access, all meals included.
The Maine Chapter offers scholarships for qualified first-time trail workers. https://amcmaine.org/exciting-trail-work-opportunities-await-in-2024/
LUBEC / CAMPOBELLO ISLAND BICYCLE GETAWAY - Maine & Worcester Chapters Joint Trip
This is a "Fixed Center" joint cycle tour with Jeanine Libby from the Maine Chapter and Denny LaForce from the Worcester Chapter. We plan to cycle and hike just east of the easternmost town in the Continental United States of Lubec, Maine. We will camp in Herring Cove Provincial Park on Campobello Island, New Brunswick, Canada. While the Island is in Canada, before crossing the bridge you have to go through the U.S. boarder crossing; therefore, passports are required. This is as far "Down East" as you can possibly go!
Both Lubec and the island have carriage roads to explore by bicycle, hiking trails to explore by foot, high tides along the Bay of Fundy, oceanfront views of cliff lined shores with lighthouses and open beaches to walk along. On the US side, there's scenic, little traveled Route 1 winding around Cobscook Bay and west along the ocean's shore.
We can park our cars in the campground for 4 days or use a combination of self propelled and motor driven transportation to broaden our reach. Calais is 40 miles north and Bar Harbor 90 miles west. While organized rides and hikes will be offered, you have the option of striking off by yourself or "to do little to nothing" for a few days in and around the campground.
A touring bike or a hybrid bike with wide dirt tires will be needed for travel over carriage roads, hiking shoes and day pack for the trails, and warm clothes and rain gear for the damp cool Down East weather.
We will be staying in 4 bed small co-ed cabins unless you prefer tenting. A supermarket and restaurants are close by but we suggest you bring extra food. Not sure if they will be open due to it being so early in the season.
Reservation will be confirmed once payment is received, and the refund will only be returned if the canceled spot can be filled.
Join AMC Maine Young Members for an exciting weekend of trail work in celebration of National Trails Day on Saturday, June 1st! We'll spend the day working alongside some of AMC Maine's Trail Work leaders at Great Pond Mountain Conservation Trust near Bucksport before unwinding at a local brewery. Sunday will be a day to explore the area and enjoy some of the local trails.
Friday and Saturday nights will be spent in the Bear Brook shelter on-site. Participants should plan to bring their own food/water and camping gear.
No prior experience with trail work is necessary, but participants should be in good physical shape and capable of hiking a few miles and performing moderate physical work for a couple hours at a time. All tools will be provided.
Want to see a really pretty riverside trail? Want to learn a bit about a preserve or simply want to "give back" to nature by doing some trail work to keep a lovely trail in good shape for folks to enjoy? Then please join us for some basic trail maintenance on one of the Midcoast Conservancy's beautiful preserves in Lincoln County. We are likely to be going to Whitefield Salmon Preserve and doing some bridge work as well as clearing this winter's debris. No experience is necessary, and tools will be provided (though you are welcome to bring your own loppers or hand saw if you wish). We just need your good company! The details of starting time and location will be provided once you register. You are also welcome to email or call me before registering. Please call BEFORE 8 pm.
National Trails Day Trail Work at Great Pond Mountain Conservation Trust
We welcome you to celebrate National Trails Day on Saturday June 1st 2024 by participating in trail work alongside our AMC Maine's Trail Work leaders. On this trip, we will be volunteering together at Great Pond Mountain Conservation Trust in Orland, Maine. No prior experience with trail work is necessary, but participants should be in good physical shape and capable of hiking a few miles and performing moderate physical work for a couple hours at a time. Type of work may include: building new trails, widening existing trail corridors, moving stones, and clearing blowdowns.
Please bring your own trail work gloves, water, lunch, wear appropriate clothing (long pants/long sleeve shirt, boots, hat, sunscreen, bug spray, etc.). We will have some tools available but if you have your own, please bring them. The trip will meet in the morning and will work for about 6-7 hours. Registration for this trip closes May 26th at 5pm. We will notify all registered participants about 5 days in advance with meeting location, meeting time and weather update.
Canceled NATIONAL TRAILS DAY CUTLER MOUNTAIN, HIRAM, MAINE
Join the Maine Chapter as we celebrate National Trails Day - a day for local trail advocacy and support. We will be doing "Spring cleanup" trail work trip on Cutler Mountain, Hiram, ME. We will hike approximately 3.0-3.5 miles round trip while working along the way. NO experience necessary, volunteers will be trained "on the job" with approved AMC techniques.
Type of work: easy maintenance, trimming vegetation, cleaning water bars, remove rocks and branches, refreshing cairns, etc. Maine Chapter will supply tools, but if you have your own, please bring your own. Please bring your own trail work gloves, water, and lunch/snacks. Please wear appropriate clothing (long pants/long sleeve shirt, boots, hat), sunscreen, bug spray, etc.
Maine Woods Trail Work near Gorman Chairback Lodge
The Appalachian Mountain Club's Maine Woods is comprised of over 100,000 acres with over 200 miles of trails. Participants in the Gorman Chairback trail work weekend will do trail maintenance and improvements on trails around the lodge. (See Gorman Chairback Lodge & Cabins - Appalachian Mountain Club (outdoors.org)
The work includes removing blowdowns, pruning brush, clearing drainages, and other tasks to improve the trails. If schedules allow, the group may work with the AMC pro trail crew and participate in more advanced trail building skills.
Efforts will range from easy to moderate difficulty. Tools will be provided. If you have a favorite set of loppers or other tools, bring them along. Prepare to spend most of the days in the woods with appropriate clothing (long pants/long sleeve shirt, boots, hat, gloves) and personal items (water bottles, sunscreen, bug spray, etc.) Bag lunches are provided.
Registration for this trip closes Sunday, June 16, 2024 or when capacity is reached.
Dates
Friday, June 21st 2024, 5:00 PM – Monday, June 24th 2024 12:00 PM
Group lodging in bunkhouse and cabins shared bath house, kayak/canoe access, all meals included.
The Maine Chapter offers scholarships for qualified first-time trail workers. https://amcmaine.org/exciting-trail-work-opportunities-await-in-2024/
With 130 miles of trails, the AMC North Woods Initiative in Maine has lots of volunteer work opportunities. For this trip we will be staying in the bunkhouses at Medawisla Lodge and Cabins, There will be the usual variety of jobs to choose from including trail work, and special projects around the lodge and cabins.
To register for this trip, please complete the on-line registration located here. You will then receive an e-mail confirmation from the group leader with instructions for completing payment and bunk registration including a special group reservation number. PLEASE DO NOT ATTEMPT TO RESERVE A SPACE BEFORE HEARING FROM THE TRIP LEADER WITH YOUR CONFIRMATION.
Registration for this trip closes June 14th or when trip capacity is reached.
Dates
Friday, June 21st 2024, 5:00 PM – Monday, June 24th 2024 9:00 AM
Group lodging in bunkhouse and cabins shared bath house, kayak/canoe access, all meals included.
The Maine Chapter offers scholarships for qualified first-time trail workers. https://amcmaine.org/exciting-trail-work-opportunities-await-in-2024/
Join the Maine Chapter as we continue to celebrate National Trails Day - a day for local trail advocacy and support. We will be doing "Spring cleanup" trail work trip on Cutler Mountain, Hiram, ME. We will hike approximately 3.0-3.5 miles round trip while working along the way. NO experience necessary, volunteers will be trained "on the job" with approved AMC techniques.
Type of work: easy maintenance, trimming vegetation, cleaning water bars, remove rocks and branches, refreshing cairns, etc. Maine Chapter will supply tools, but if you have your own, please bring your own. Please bring your own trail work gloves, water, and lunch/snacks. Please wear appropriate clothing (long pants/long sleeve shirt, boots, hat), sunscreen, bug spray, etc.
West Branch Preserve protects close to 1.5 miles of the West Branch of Davis Stream, one of the major tributaries to Damariscotta Lake. And it is a gem. With over a half dozen miles of trails that go through woods as well as along cascading falls of the stream, it is a great retreat at any time of year. We are likely to work on a variety of tasks for which no experience is required-just an interest in being outside with like-minded others. We may help Conservancy staff rebuild bog bridges, trim vegetation back, clear out fallen branches, perhaps do some blazing-there's plenty to do. Tools will be provided (though you are welcome to bring your own loppers or hand saw if you wish). We just need your good company! The details of starting time that morning and location will be provided once you register. You are also welcome to email or call me before registering. Please call BEFORE 8 pm.
Trail Work in conjunction with the Northern Forest Canoe Trail crew on Allagash Wilderness Waterway
Join Maine Chapter trails volunteers as we work with a crew from the Northern Forest Canoe Trail on a section of the canoe trail on the Allagash Wilderness Waterway near Churchill Dam. We will tent camp with the NFCT vols and pro crew. Possible work may include "Work will involve Jaws Campsite, Churchill Lake, Allagash Wilderness Waterway, ME.
Help improve access path, tent paths, and improve accessibility at this deservingly
popular campsite along the Allagash Wilderness Waterway, an easy paddle in from
Trail Maintenance on Appalachian Trail, Stratton, Maine
Annual Fall Trail Maintenance on a 3.2-mile section of the AT in Carrabassett Valley (6.4 miles round trip). This is a moderate hike, which we will take at a working pace. Type of work: clearing blowdowns, cleaning water bars and other basic maintenance. Please bring your own trail work gloves, water, lunch, wear appropriate clothing (long pants/long sleeve shirt, boots, hat, 2 items of blaze orange due to hunting season) sunscreen, bug spray, etc. We will have some tools available but if you have your own, please bring them.
The trip will meet in the morning and will work for about 6-1/2 hours
Registration for this trip closes October 27th at 5pm. I will send out an e-mail to all registrants about 5 days in advance with meeting location, meeting time and weather update.