REGION — The summer hike, bike and paddle schedule for Trails for Rangeley Area Coalition, or T.R.A.C., has been announced. T.R.A.C. is an informal gathering of people interested in being in the woods and on the waters with like-minded people who share the desire to hike, paddle and bike the healing environs of our surroundings. Hikes vary from quite easy, such as the Mingo Springs Loop or the Dartmouth Grant, to slightly more difficult, such as Cascade Gorge, Mountain Pond, Bemis Stream or Table Rock in Grafton Notch. Some more challenging peaks such as Burnt Mountain, Cranberry Mountain, West Kennebago Mountain, and, of course, Saddleback Mountain are included.
Paddles include trips on waters such as Cupsuptic River or the Magalloway River. The schedule includes several bike trips on rail trails or at the Dartmouth Grant.
“Our group includes people of different ages, different skills, and, certainly, different speeds. But we all share the desire to be out in the woods or on the water with people of good cheer who share an appreciation for the surrounding woods and waterways of our own local great outdoors,” said organizer Jeff Zapolsky.
Outings are scheduled twice a week June through September. On Tuesdays, the group meets at 8 a.m. at the Rangeley Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce parking lot. On Fridays at 8 a.m., they meet at the lot at the junction of routes 16 and 4 in Oquossoc. Once everyone has gathered, the group travels by car to the destination trailhead or put-in.
There are no charges or dues of any kind to join T.R.A.C. Participation is all voluntary, yet well organized and enjoyable.
If you would like to learn more about T.R.A.C. please check out the Trails for Rangeley Area Facebook page or email Jeff at [email protected].
A note about weather cancellations: If the forecast is for nasty weather, then stay home. However, if it is at all uncertain, then please come to the meeting site to discuss our options. The weather forecast is often different that morning from the predictions the previous days. We have had to alter plans on several occasions. We may decide to go on a shorter hike, or a closer hike to be back before the bad weather sets in, or we may decide that it looks like things will clear up. Regardless, it is best not to wait for us at the trailhead in case we change our plans.
All participants are expected to read and understand the groups participation policy which can be found on the T.R.A.C. Facebook page.
Whether you are new to our area or new to the outdoors, we welcome you to join others in our community who share your appreciation for our own “great outdoors”. Join us for any or all of our summer outings.
Tuesday, June 3: Piazza Rock hike, easy/moderate
Friday, June 6: Bald Mountain hike, moderate
Tuesday, June 10: Rock Pond hike, easy+
Friday, June 13, Bemis to Height of Land hike, easy+
Friday, June 20: Cupsuptic River paddle, easy
Tuesday, June 24: Narrow Gauge Pathway bike, easy
Friday, June 27 Kennebago River paddle, easy
Tuesday, July 1: Cascade Stream Hike, easy/moderate
Friday, July 4: Holiday, no outing
Tuesday, July 8: Long Pond paddle, easy
Friday, July 11: South Bog Trail hike, easy+
Tuesday, July 15: Poplar Falls Hut hike, easy/moderate
Friday, July 18: Forest Legacy hike, easy/moderate
Tuesday, July 22: Blueberry Mountain hike, moderate/strenuous
Friday, July 25: South Bog paddle, easy+
Tuesday, July 29: Annual Meeting, Haley Pond Park gazebo at noon
Friday, Aug 1: West Kennebago Mountain hike, moderate/strenuous
Tuesday, Aug 5: Weld’s Bald Mountain hike, moderate+
Friday, August 8: Dartmouth Grant bike, moderate
Tuesday, Aug. 12: Flaggstaff Lake paddle, easy+
Friday, Aug. 15: Bemis Mountain/AT hike, moderate
Tuesday, Aug. 19: Stratton Brook Hut hike, moderate
Friday, Aug. 22: Sabbath Day Pond/AT hike, moderate
Tuesday, Aug 26: Burnt Mountain hike, Moderate/strenuous
Friday, Aug. 29: Rain date
Tuesday, Sept. 2: Little Jackson Mountain hike, strenuous
Friday, Sept. 5: Aziscohos Mountain hike, moderate/strenuous
Tuesday, Sept. 9: Mountain Pond Trail hike, moderate
Friday, Sept. 12: Upper Richardson Lake paddle, moderate
Tuesday, Sept. 16: Cranberry Pond/Peak hike, moderate/strenuous
Friday, Sept. 19: Dartmouth Grand Diamond Peaks hike, moderate
Tuesday, Sept 23: TBD
Friday, Sept. 26: Whitecap Mountain hike, moderate
Tuesday, Sept. 30: Saddleback via Rock Pond Trail, moderate/strenuous
Friday, Oct. 3: Magalloway River paddle, easy