Our Volunteers Rock!

Rocks aren’t placed by magic; it takes lots of hands and strong backs to make rock steps. Volunteers build stone steps at Gulf Hagas using pry bars, shovels, grip hoist and pick axes.

Read More
MATC Affiliate Store

Get MATC Gear!

Show your support for MATC by proudly wearing and displaying official clothing and accessories emblazoned with the MATC logo. Check out the variety of MATC branded items at our “Trading Post” – on-line store. MATC has partnered with Spreadshirt to provide MATC branded clothing and accessories to members and supporters of the Maine Appalachian Trail Club. Items are available in a variety of styles and colors. MATC is a non-profit, 501c3 charitable organization and does not make any profit on these items. Spreadshirt is a third-party, affiliated vendor who handles all sales and questions regarding their products.

Read More
Saddleback Mountain

MATC’s Position on Saddleback Ski Area Solar Project

Regarding the Saddleback Ski Area Solar Project We encourage the owners of the Saddleback Ski Area (Arctaris Impact Fund) to move the location of its proposed grid-scale solar power generating facility to a location that would not impact the views from the Appalachian Trail (A.T.) on Saddleback Mountain.  At just over three miles away, the proposed 35-acre solar array would become the dominant feature on the landscape view looking north from the A.T. Other than Katahdin, Saddleback offers the longest open ridge walk along the A.T. in Maine and about 1.5 miles of this section would have frequent views of […]

Read More

Leaves and Drainages: A Muddy Mix

It’s fall. That time of year with crisp air, shorter daylight hours, crunchy apples… and what else? Falling leaves! This vibrant foliage settles in voluminous quantities onto the ground in our yards. And the A.T. isn’t immune to this annual jettison of foliage either. But on the A.T. it can create problems with water drainages if not addressed. When it rains the leaves wash into these drainages where they often accumulate in the narrow or flatter locales, essentially damming the flow of water. Where’s the water to go now? In the trail! Water is ruthless and will find its way […]

Read More
Illegal Fire Ring

Illegal Fire Rings Concerning on AT

ILLEGAL FIRE RINGS: In Maine, campfires in the woods require a fire permit or a permitted campsite to be legal.  WIth the dry conditions this Fall, non-permitted campfires along the A.T. are especially concerning.  A frequent task for maintainers is to dismantle and disperse fire rings which not only encourage more camp fires in inappropriate locations but also encourage trash accumulation.  This particular fire ring just north of Orbeton Stream has been dismantled four times this season. Photo by @Tony Barrett

Read More
4x6 Corridor

4-ft X 6-ft

4-ft X 6-ft: Trail maintainers are tasked with keeping a 4 X 8 foot corridor along the tread way for clear hiker passage. “One should be able to carry a 4X8’ sheet of plywood upright through the woods”.  That standard is a high bar to meet in some places. Photo by Tony Barrett

Read More

An Ideal Time for Corridor Monitoring

THE FALL IS AN IDEAL TIME FOR CORRIDOR MONITORING: Simon Rucker, Mike Mahony, Mary Eagan and Kayla Gagner are happy to find a boundary marker without any digging. This section of A.T. corridor is just south of Long Falls Dam road. Photo by Tony Barrett

Read More
Bog Bridging White Cap

Kudos to Maintainers

We received a nice note from a happy hiker…. I hiked from Gorham, NH to Caratunk, ME two weeks mid-Sept. and was very impressed at how well the trails were maintained. I was also impressed at how much planking there was along marshy areas, showing your respect of the underlying ecosystem. Please share my thanks to all the Trail Maintainers along these sections. – LightWalker

Read More
White Brook Trail Work Trip

White Brook Trail Work Trip

The current White Brook trail is an official Appalachian Trail side-trail. It goes up the south side of White Cap Mountain. The trail itself is a remnant of the original AT when it went up the White Brook from the KI road. There is a steep, badly eroded section that is 3 feet deep in places. A relocation of this section has been approved for a couple of years. It will do a 900′ foot bypass to the West of the current section.

Read More