Maine's North Woods Trail Loop

[bigmoose]

Does anybody know the status of the proposed 300 mile long North Woods Trail Loop? I have heard the first section, 25 miles long, might have been completed in 2004. That first section was to run over Elephant Mountain (the one with the B-52 crash remains), over Baker, and then over Lily Bay and Number Four Mountains. Ultimately it would extend beyond Kineo and stretch over to Enchanted Pond and Coburn.
Evidently the Moosehead Hikers Club is involved.
Spencer? Nadine? Mad Townie? Anybody onto this?
JT

 

[Dennis C.]

This is the first I've heard of this proposal as stated by bigmoose. I'd be interested to know why another major trail like this is being contructed. Doesn't the North Country have enough trails to maintain already? Many of the peaks mentioned currently are prominent bushwhacks, and it would be nice to see them kept that way.

 

[bigmoose]

I think the impetus was to provide a lengthy circuit for backpacking...possibly taking a ten day or so circular trek and ending up back where you started. A longer version of the 100 mile wildreness, perhaps, but without as much wilderness. Without further speculation, I think I'll contact this Moosehead Hikers' Club....

 

[bigmoose]

Taking a look at this address:
www.moosehead.net/mmtc.html...
provides a brief outline for this proposed trail system. I have no idea if it will come to fruition anytime in the near future. Putting such a trail through extensive logging operations would seem difficult....

 

[Nadine]

Hey Big Moose!

This is the first I've heard of this trail. Just checked out the website. I'll sign up for the mailing list and see what transpires. A friend of mine owns Northwoods Outfitters, the gear store in Greenville. I'll pump her and Chris Keene for information.

If it's held to its natural state, and no large lean-to/cabin facilities appear, I'm inclined to think it's a great idea. 300 miles of pristine scenic trail in the Northwoods, sign me up

 

[Mad Townie]

News to me. But then again, I usually only hear about this kind of thing from Nadine or Twigeater.

 

[el-bagr]

I spoke with some folks at Kokadjo about this a while back. My understanding was that the trail was still in the planning phases -- as it has been since its conception in approx. 2001.

See this map of their proposal.

 

[Nadine]

Thanks el-bagr.

I'm liking the way this trail crosses the peaks of Elephant, Baker and Lily Bay
First Roach Pond is very pretty, with nice views of #4 Mountian and several of the other peaks.
I hope the Moosehead Trail Club starts working on it soon.