How to do Boundary Peak (NE HH)?

[docross]

What is the current thinking of the best way to approach and bag Boundary Peak along the ME/QC border in the winter?

I know of someone in the past who went over White Cap, then Dennison Bog (frozen of course) to the boundary swath.

I have also heard tell of an approach through Canada. How is that done, and are there hassles at the border? (I guess we need passports, nowadays).

Thanks.

 

[Papa Bear]

If you ski, the approach through Canda is straightforward. I have passed into and out of Canada many times in the last 4 years with little hassle. Bring you passport although car travelers won't officially need that for about another year.

There are directions in several trip reports including mine (http://members.bellatlantic.net/~vze2h6gy/papabear/Day2004_Western_Maine_Peaks.html#day3) and others. Follow the summer directions to the gate of the park (Zec Gosford) then ski the roads to the trailhead (8.3 miles). Then put on your snow shoes and climb the ridge on the ATV trail to the boundary vista and then to the peak. A number have done this from Canada, perhaps they will chime in.

If show conditions are low and you have a high clearance vehicle (like the BobandGerri Mobile) you may be able to drive to the trailhead. I did this with Bob and Gerri and Julie in November of 2004 (http://members.bellatlantic.net/~vze2h6gy/papabear/Peaks_2004_November_Maine_Canada.html#peak1) and we encountered about 6 - 12 inches of snow on the Zec Gosford roads and 1 - 3 feet on the ridge.

Have fun and pick a sunny day. Climb Mont Gosford while you're there. It's well worth it.

 

[onestep]

are there hassles at the border? (I guess we need passports, nowadays).

Passports are NOT required for crossing the border by ground.

If it makes you feel more secure, bring one along but it bears no additional weight. Last fall JimC and I stopped by the border crossing at Coburn Gore to ask specifically what was required to re-enter the USA. The customs agent told me a State issued photo ID such as my drivers license is all thats required. I specifically asked if a birth certificate was needed. He replied, NO. I asked if it would be helpful. He replied 'not really'. I asked about a passport. He chuckled and said maybe sometime someday but certainly not now.

Onestep

 

[SherpaKroto]

Hiking it from the Canadian side also gives you the opportunity to also add Mt Gosford, a true gem of a peak! Both Boundary and Gosford are easy/short hikes and can be done on the same day.
EDIT: sorry, I missed the "winter" part. This MAP gives you an idea of the roads that you need to use if coming in from the Canadian side. you would enter from St-Augustin de Woburn, coming from Stratton, ME. I do not know the road conditions into the Park in winter.
Info sources:
[email protected]
Accueil Forêt Gosford : 1-819-544-9004
http://www.foretmontgosford.ca/

Good Luck!

 

[docross]

which roads are open?

There seems to be divided opinion about passports....

Anyway, I understand that Tim Pond Rd is plowed up to the jct. with Sol Ridge. What about Burnt Mtn Rd and Wiggle Brook Rd. Are they usually UNplowed?

What about Morton Cutoff and Lincoln Pond Rd?

 

[Papa Bear]

There seems to be divided opinion about passports....

I said "Bring you passport although car travelers won't officially need that for about another year." so no, you are not required to bring it. But depending on the agent you encounter, the passport may be "nicer" that some other form. Onestep is correct about the law: only air travelers are required to have them. So don't be confused. Bring some "official" ID with your picture, like a drivers license or a passport.

The main point is that there is little or no hassle. Worry about the trail and road conditions, not the border crossing.

 

[docross]

Thanks PB for the input! I like your lists of peaks!

 

[Papa Bear]

I just got a note from Isabelle in Quebec on Zec Louise-Gosford:

We went to the ZEC Louise-Gosford (Mt Gosford) a few weeks ago, and the road was closed for motorized vehicles (except the for the park managers in snowmobile) from the main park gate house. In winter (I don't know when their winter starts but..) the gate is closed, you don't have to pay the 5$ (since the roads are not plowed). So, you have to use your skis (the road is snowmobiled) to go up to the trailhead, which adds a good 8.3 miles * 2 to the trail for Boundary Peak... It is possible though to sleep in the "huts" they have there, but we didn't yet so I cannot comment on that.

This answers the question about vehicular access, and also indicates that skiing over the snowmobiled roads should be quite doable, albeit it adds a big chunk in distance.

Thanks for the information Isabelle.