Starting at the Louise-Gosford Park, just ouside of Woburn (Quebec), four of us enjoyed a perfect day approaching Boundary from the north. Although the total milage might seem daunting, this route is really a long ski approach followed by a very short hike. No bushwacking required (is that a good thing?). The first 8.3 mi to the gravel pit gains roughly 1000' over easily skied rolling terrain along a summer access road (one of our party is a novice x-country skier). We were fortunate that the snow conditions were excellent... 2-6 inches of fresh powder along the entire route. Changing to snowshoes at the "pit", we estimate that the summit was less than 2mi further; half along a wide trail and the rest along the boundary swath. We had some concerns regarding the legality of hiking along the international border in this age of heightened security; however, the swath was heavily used by snowmachines, suggesting that acess was not actively regulated.
Pure white rime-iced conifers near the summit contrasted beautifully with the cerulean sky. Despite the starting temp of -10, the sun felt warm. From the clearing just SW of the summit, the local peaks (Whitecap, Snow, et al) plus the Bigelow Range, Sugarloaf and Crockers were visible in their mid-winter glory.
Although none of of us had done Boundary as a bushwack from the Canada Road, this approach comes highly recommended by all of us. Compared to the longer path from Little Kennebago Lake over Whitecap or the uncertainties of the Canada Road approach(plus longer distance if the road is not plowed), the Louise-Gosford route was delightful. Despite our average age of well into the fifties, excessive abdominal girths, and uniformly grey well-thinned hair, this trip only took 9 hours at a relaxed pace.
Pure white rime-iced conifers near the summit contrasted beautifully with the cerulean sky. Despite the starting temp of -10, the sun felt warm. From the clearing just SW of the summit, the local peaks (Whitecap, Snow, et al) plus the Bigelow Range, Sugarloaf and Crockers were visible in their mid-winter glory.
Although none of of us had done Boundary as a bushwack from the Canada Road, this approach comes highly recommended by all of us. Compared to the longer path from Little Kennebago Lake over Whitecap or the uncertainties of the Canada Road approach(plus longer distance if the road is not plowed), the Louise-Gosford route was delightful. Despite our average age of well into the fifties, excessive abdominal girths, and uniformly grey well-thinned hair, this trip only took 9 hours at a relaxed pace.
