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Close to time to hit the road.  It is 16 below 0 right now!!!!.  It is supposed to warm up to around 10-12, and I sure hope it does.  Long drive to get there, just keep it between the snowbanks.  LOL  I've yet to meet a snowbank that I like.  LOL

And yes, I've been in a few snowbanks over the years.  Luckily, I've either been able to shovel myself out, or someone came along to pull me it.  Finding help can involve very long walks.  That has happened to me in warmer weather, but luckily not in winter.  I bring winter cloths on all winter drives in the woods.

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This is a very remote hike in the Allagash Wilderness Waterway in the North Maine Woods.

The goal of the trip is to hike the Pumphandle Trail to Second Ridge to take in a view to the south over Eagle Lake.  I don't believe the view is grand, but a nice view for the area.

The Pumphandle trail is normally water access only, but in the winter you can walk on water. LOL

The hike will start on a snowmobile trail on the Cyr Rd that goes downhill 0.4 mile to Eagle Lake.

From there we walk one mile down Eagle Lake to the Pumphandle Trail.  Hopefully we can follow snowmobile tracks to the trail.

Snowshoes will be required to hike the Pumphandle Trail 3/4 mile to the viewpoint.

Return is via same route.  Round trip is 4.3 miles.

The elevation of Second Ridge is 1,218 feet.  Elevation gain up the ridge is 318 feet.  On the return, there is an elevation gain of 170 feet to get from the lake up the snowmobile trail to the trailhead. 

I would consider this a moderate hike, as we should only have to break trail for 3/4 mile.

Dress appropriately for cold weather.  The temp. is only going to be in the single digits.  Wind on the lake might be possible, so be prepared.

I really can't predict time because of the long drive involved to get there.  You should plan on this being an all day trip.

Bring food for the entire day in your vehicle.  Bring enough food for lunch on the trail.

This hike is new to me, but the drive to get to the trailhead is not.  I've been traveling the woods roads of North Maine Woods since I was 13..

I really doubt anyone will be crazy enough to join me on such a remote hike, but wanted to post anyway.

For anyone coming from the south, this will most likely require you to spend the night before, and possibly after.  I do have one double bed if anyone wants to stay here.  So, one couple, one single guy, or 2 single guys who don't care if they share a bed.  LOL

There are no motels in Ashland.  There is one motel further north in Portage.  There are several motels in Presque Isle.  Anyone going to Presque Isle needs to stay on I-95 to exit 302 in Houlton, and take U.S. Rt. 1 north to Presque Isle.

For anyone staying in a motel, I can email directions to Ashland.

**************** If anyone does want to do this hike, please sign up by 5 AM on Sunday, Jan. 13. Thanks  ***************************

If no one has signed up by that time, I'll probably leave earlier in the morning.

Because of the long distance of driving on wood roads to get to the trailhead, I'm requiring anyone wanting to go on this hike to meet me at the meeting point at the Ashland 1 Stop and follow me to the trailhead.

It is 62 miles southwest of Ashland to the trailhead, all on woods roads.

4-wheel drive or all wheel drive is STRONGLEY recommended.  Roads will most likely be a little slick.  Our speed will most likely be around 35 MPH.

Woods roads are PASS AT YOUR OWN RISK.

Being a Sunday, there should not be any logging truck traffic, but you should always be on the lookout.  Logging trucks have the right away, and you MUST let them by.  Many trucks are oversized, and take up more space.

Land/road owners, truckers, logging companies/contractors etc. are not liable if there is an accident involving them.

You MUST FILL your gas tank in Ashland, and purchase all supplies.  There are no stores or services beyond Ashland.

Once we are a few miles beyond Ashland, cell phones will not work.

Directions to Ashland 1 Stop - 117 Main St.  Ashland, ME

Take I-95 north to exit 264 in Sherman.

Turn left at the bottom of the off ramp.

Rt. 158 shortly becomes Rt. 11. Continue straight on Rt. 11 north.

Stay on Rt. 11 for 56 miles to Ashland.  Last gas before Ashland is in Patten, about 8.5 miles north of I-95.

At the stop sign in Ashland, turn left in to the parking lot between the Ashland 1 Stop and the Acadia Federal Credit Union, where I'll be waiting.  Please be there by 7:30 AM.

I'll be in a black extended cab Nisan Frontier pickup truck.  Plate # 6039 IJ