Join MYA to spend a wintertime weekend in Baxter with deluxe overnighting in a cabin (deluxe simply because MYA won’t be sleeping in lean-tos prepping for a Katahdin ascent this season!). We’ll enjoy a snow-filled adventure in the Maine woods, snowshoeing, eating yummy warm vegetarian food, visiting waterfalls, exploring some snowga, sharing stories, and more...
Hannah McGuire will be the co-leader for this adventure with her plentiful mountaineering experience and culinary expertise. She’ll be helping us strap on our gear filled sleds and leading us through the wilderness. Hannah is also our chef and has delighted adventurers with her camp stove cooking skills.
For the hike in/out we will be taking the Foss-Knowlton trail. Adventurers will carpool and drive up the Golden Road to park at Abol bridge then enter the woods. The snow should be deep (up to the thigh in some places) so snowshoes are a must. Depending on weather and fitness level of the group it will take us between 3-5 hours to hike 6 miles into Daicey pond. We will hike across 3 large lakes (as long as they are solid!), which provide good opportunities to take a break and mark our progress. The trail is relatively flat but has a few lengthy uphill sections. We may have to break trail, which can slow us down a little. The scenery is gorgeous and out on the lakes you get a unique 360 degree view of the mountains in the park.
The last lake we cross is Daicey pond, and our cabins will be waiting just on the other side. There is no electricity or running water. Hannah will have everything we need to gather and filter water for the group :)
Make sure you have lunch and snacks for the hike in - of lot of calories are burned hiking in the snow. Water bottles can freeze solid, please insulate by putting a thick wool sock around it or if you own an insulator, bring it. Sleeping bags are a necessity but you won’t have to carry it on your back, you’ll be pulling it. All adventurers should have a head lamp, an emergency blanket (a cheap foil one), sunglasses, a hat and gloves. Hand warmers as well - when we get to the cabin it will take a bit to fire up the stove and standing around can be frigid!
Our Nature at Peace cabin has six single beds and is equipped with a wood stove to keep us cozy and warm. There is space for six intrepid adventurers.
Saturday will be filled by a yoga practice, eating a tasty breakfast and heading outdoors into the snow for a hike to the Big & Little Niagara Falls. The hike to the Niagara’s is just about a mile, we follow a path right out of the campsite and follow a gentle trail to the falls. MYA’s Holly & friend Patti visited in warmer weather and they’re sure to be even more dramatic in the snow and ice.
