Polk Ski Trip Advice

[Gerry P]

I've done a lot of winter multi-day tripping in northern NE. Last season, when I turned 60, I put together a polk (sled) as an age appropriate way to continue getting out on ski trips. Am seeking some advice from those of you that would have knowledge of sled friendly terrain. Am looking to do a mid January, 4-5 day trip on shorty skis and planning on carry snowshoes for steeper segments. Skis are Hok style with built in skin patches so geared towards rolling terrain - especially considering the weight is behind me and not on my back. Am hoping to stick with the skis as much as possible. Would prefer to do a loop as opposed to a there-and-back trip. Am a low intermediate backcountry skier.
I've done a couple pack trips on skis on the Pemi, out of Lincoln Woods. Tried once to do what looked like a great counter-clock loop but the trail seemed to disappear and was unable to pick through to complete the circuit. Last year I broke the polk in on a few day's in the 100 Mile Wilderness but the trail network was groomed (= boring) and some was shared with snowmobiles (=loud & crowded). Am looking for more of a backcountry experience. I'm open to suggestions for anywhere from Adirondacks through to northern Maine.
Thanks very much.
Gerry P

 

[sierra]

I've done a lot of winter multi-day tripping in northern NE. Last season, when I turned 60, I put together a polk (sled) as an age appropriate way to continue getting out on ski trips. Am seeking some advice from those of you that would have knowledge of sled friendly terrain. Am looking to do a mid January, 4-5 day trip on shorty skis and planning on carry snowshoes for steeper segments. Skis are Hok style with built in skin patches so geared towards rolling terrain - especially considering the weight is behind me and not on my back. Am hoping to stick with the skis as much as possible. Would prefer to do a loop as opposed to a there-and-back trip. Am a low intermediate backcountry skier.
I've done a couple pack trips on skis on the Pemi, out of Lincoln Woods. Tried once to do what looked like a great counter-clock loop but the trail seemed to disappear and was unable to pick through to complete the circuit. Last year I broke the polk in on a few day's in the 100 Mile Wilderness but the trail network was groomed (= boring) and some was shared with snowmobiles (=loud & crowded). Am looking for more of a backcountry experience. I'm open to suggestions for anywhere from Adirondacks through to northern Maine.
Thanks very much.
Gerry P

This is not my area of expertise, but many folks I know go into Katahdin. Long road type approaches to sites for tents or cabins. What you do after getting there is up to you, but one day in, one day out, wouldn't be hard to put 4 or 5 days together. There are requirements for reservations unlike the Whites, you basically get a proctology exam to go into Katahdin in the winter. The Whites are my specialty, but the use of polks and skis is no picnic on the terrain say outside of the Pemi floor. The only other suggestion ( and this is a small one) the Cohos trail.

 

[skiguy]

I would agree with Sierra. Outside of the Pemi Floor New Hampshire does not have much to offer for polk style skiing. The terrain is just too rocky, twisty, and narrow. I have had better luck in the ADK but even that is limited. Giving a suggestion the High Peaks region specifically Keene Valley and the approach to Avalanche Pass from The Loj are doable. Putting a loop together would be difficult although if you were looking to do a Base Camp style trip you might have some luck. Coreys Road could have potential also. I've done all of the above with a polk but again it was more for establishing a base camp for a multi-day effort. Then of course you could always go to the West Butt.

 

[bikehikeskifish]

I've heard good things about a multi-day ski through of Baxter State Park (home of Katahdin, but skiing Katahdin would be a challenge.) Very light on the specifics, however. Something like ski the winter road in from the north end (Metagammon) and then through Pogy Notch and Russell campground and out the tote road / golden road to the south entrance in Millinocket.

Tim

 

[ChrisB]

I've heard good things about a multi-day ski through of Baxter State Park (home of Katahdin, but skiing Katahdin would be a challenge.) Very light on the specifics...

Tim

Several of us on this forum did this trip about 10 years ago. It's around 50 miles of travel and we did it from N to S, entering the park through the Matagammon Gate and exiting at Abol Bridge. It was a GREAT trip.

We used cabins at South Branch Pond, Russell Pond and Roaring Brook. We took five days and four nights, building in a rest day.

The skiing was varied using portions of the Permitter Road, South Branch Road, Pogy Notch trail, Tracy Horse Trail and Roaring Brook Road. Very little of the route was shared with snow machines and there is not a lot of climbing or descending.

There are river crossings, beautiful deep woods settings, open lake and pond stretches and a variety of shelter options available along the way. Best of all it is a good drag with a polk.

Only downside is a car spot is required between Abol and Matagammon. We spotted cars at Abol and paid a local to transport us and the sleds to a rental cabin outside Matagammon Gate. From there we skied into the Park the next morning.

If you can manage the logistics it's an amazing trip in deep winter.

 

[bikehikeskifish]

Thanks for the details, Chris. I know I heard about this trip from someone during Baxter Bash, but I can't recall who.

Tim

 

[ChrisB]

Guilty parties included: SherpaK, Schizzy, Go, Spencer and one other guy whose name escapes me. With six of us we had enough folks to take over each cabin along the way every night but not be crowded. Quite a rogue's gallery of VFTT'rs.

If I did it again I'd spend two nights at Russell rather than South Branch Pond.

As with all things polk, emphasis was on having fun, not making time. After all, you gotta build in downtime for the constant polk repairs and fiddling that are inevitable required!. No Home Depot runs possible so bring spare parts too!

 

[JoshandBaron]

Other than the Pemi, the Wild River from the Jackson trails could provide some options. As said before, the Whites are tough for pulk trips unless you want to hop on snowmo trails or logging roads. 3 Ponds area might be interesting but 4 days could be too much. Sawyer River Road and the MTB/snowmo trails between the pond and the kanc could be doable. Nanamocomuck.

 

[iAmKrzys]

While doing some winter hikes in Vermont I came across Catamount XC Trail - a 300-mile trail that traverses Vermont from Massachusetts to Canada. While personally I don't ski, I got intrigued enough to look it up and here is the Web site for Catamount Trail Association: https://catamounttrail.org/ where you can find a trail map with an option to download the trail location in GPX or KLM format so presumably you can put it in your hiking gps or phone. Given its length and many road crossings with parking areas perhaps this would be a good candidate for this type of adventure. I am just not sure if there are official shelters or campsites along the trail but you can probably find that out if you search the web or contact the trail association.

 

[JoshandBaron]

While doing some winter hikes in Vermont I came across Catamount XC Trail - a 300-mile trail that traverses Vermont from Massachusetts to Canada. While personally I don't ski, I got intrigued enough to look it up and here is the Web site for Catamount Trail Association: https://catamounttrail.org/ where you can find a trail map with an option to download the trail location in GPX or KLM format so presumably you can put it in your hiking gps or phone. Given its length and many road crossings with parking areas perhaps this would be a good candidate for this type of adventure. I am just not sure if there are official shelters or campsites along the trail but you can probably find that out if you search the web or contact the trail association.

I believe a number of VT huts are accessible from the Catamount. www.vthuts.org

 

[peakbagger]

The Wild River area used to be good but some washouts on the trail where the river channel changed course and the trail is just a shallow indentation in steep slope would give me pause to pull a sled behind me.

Just make sure you have brakes or stiff poles n the sled. I really hate it when the sled decides to blindslide me from the back when heading down slope.

 

[Gerry P]

Great Responses

The Wild River area used to be good but some washouts on the trail where the river channel changed course and the trail is just a shallow indentation in steep slope would give me pause to pull a sled behind me.

Just make sure you have brakes or stiff poles n the sled. I really hate it when the sled decides to blindslide me from the back when heading down slope.

Wow>. I was off the grid for a couple of days and came back to this flood of great responses. Thanks all on the group effort. The Catamount in Vt was one I was looking into. Nice terrain on stretch. In NY there is the Jackrabbit trail and the Northville-Lake Placid Trail. Both have sites with accompanying interactive maps. Both look to offer good options. I've never done Katahdin as the thought of having to pass a test seems antithetical to a backcountry trip but it is an inviting thought especially as it offers some spectacular views.
I'd love to do the Permi and complete the circuit but am assuming from lack of responses otherwise that the possibility of a circumnavigate is still pretty thin. Bushwacking with sleds sounds like a story with a sad faced ending. The suggestion of a base camp trip is a good one as long as there are enough side trail/glade skiing options. We would be willing to spend a night or two at a lean to but not so interested in a cabin.
I'll keep an eye for further responses and thanks for the ones so far.
Gerry P