Category Archives: News
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Read the New MAINEtainer
The Fall edition of the MATC Newsletter – The MAINEtainer was published on November 3rd. Catch up on the news about the AT in Maine!
Airlift of Materials in the Barren-Chairback Range
August 8-11, 2024
One day during August 8-11, the Maine Appalachian Trail Club (MATC) will be working with a helicopter contractor to airlift 12,000 pounds of lumber and tools to the Cloud Pond Campsite, Chairback Gap Campsite, and Fourth Mountain bog. Materials will be used to build new privies at the campsite, and install new bog bridging through the bog.
The date will be the first good weather day during the period August 8-11. The activity will last about 1-2 hours at each location.
Several volunteers will be at the campsites and bog assisting with the effort. Please heed any instructions by volunteers to keep their activities running smoothly and everyone, including you, safe.
Questions can be directed to:
campsite@matc.org 207-215-5306
dhumphrey@matc.org 207-944-3054
“On the Trail”
“On the Trail”
Maine’s Appalachian Trail
Sample three different sections of the famed Appalachian Trail as it winds through the Maine wilderness, with a look at some other fun activities to pursue along the way. This special episode stops in Carrabassett Valley for an overnight stay at the Horns Pond shelter in the Bigelow Range, followed by some mountain biking at Sugarloaf Mountain and kayaking on Flagstaff Lake. Next is a day hike to Pierce Pond in the Kennebec Valley Region, along with a whitewater rafting trip on the Kennebec River and an ATV ride at Northern Outdoors Lodge in The Forks. Wrapping things up is a hike up Barren Mountain in the 100-Mile Wilderness and a visit to the towns of Abbot and Monson, home to beautiful Lake Hebron.
Air Dates/Times
- Sunday, April 7, 9:00AM on NESN
- Wednesday, April 10, 2:00PM on NESN
- Sunday, April 7, 12:30PM on NESN+
- Monday, April 8, 10:00PM on NESN+(Episode available on the ENE YouTube Channel)
MATC on “Borealis”
MATC President Tom Gorrill is interviewed in Episode 2 of Borealis! You can watch it on Maine Public’s YouTube channel. Borealis is a new multi-media outdoors series hosted by Aislinn Sarnacki and produced by Maine Public highlighting. This episode also features Native Nyle “River” Sockbeson who thru hiked the AT this summer to inspire Wabanaki youth and raise awareness to indigenous lands and cultures along the Trail.
Hurricane Lee and Potential Impacts to Maine
Alert – Hurricane Lee
9/14/23 Update: The National Hurricane Center is predicting winds and rain from Hurricane Lee will impact Maine Friday evening (9/15) through Saturday night. The predicted track could change, so hikers should continue to monitor the forecast.
Stream flows are already challenging due to significant rain on Tuesday and Wednesday. As of 11:30 AM on 9/14, the USGS gage on the Piscataquis River in Blanchard was at 644 cfs, more than three times the flow at which we expect stream crossings to become challenging. The National Weather Service is predicting significant additional rain on Saturday. The rain will fall on saturated ground into already swollen streams increasing stream flows even further. The Appalachian Trail Conservancy Monson Visitor Center also has information. For more information about Hurricane Lee, visit the National Hurricane Center’s website.
Work on Stratton Brook Pond Road
A contractor for the Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands will be working on the Stratton Brook Pond Road (popular access to the west side of the Bigelows) around the third week of September (mostly on weekdays). They will be brushing out the sides of the road and then pulling the wood to spots along the road where it can be chipped, and trucked out. This road is narrow and the construction equipment is large so some closure of the road and parking areas may occur during this time.
Persons looking to hike the AT or Fire Warden’s trail are asked to park at the Rt. 27 parking area and begin the hike from there instead of the Stratton Brook Pond Road.
Frye Notch Privy
On August 12th, the Maine Appalachian Trail Club (MATC) will be airlifting lumber and tools to the Frye Notch campsite to build a new privy (NOBO mile 1,936.8).
Several MATC volunteers will be at the Frye Notch campsite assisting with the effort. Hikers should follow all instructions from volunteers and stay out of the immediate transport zone.
For questions or for more information, contact campsite@matc.org or 207-215-5306.
Read the Spring 2023 MAINEtainer Newsletter
Read the latest issue of the MAINEtainer, MATC’s newsletter.
You can view the current year’s issues as well as look into the MAINEtainer archives.
