Quaggy Jo Mtn - Aroostook State Park

It was -5 when I left the house this morning, but it warmed up during the day.  Was probably in the single digits when I started the hike.  Only a slight breeze from time to time. 

I stopped in Presque Isle to check out the large snowman in front of the hospital.  John from work, and his girlfriend, was stopped there too.  I took a picture of them, and he took a picture of me.. :)

No one had been on the trails since the snow we got last Thursday, but it was packed down from before.  The trail up the south peak was not well traveled, but there was a track there to follow.  I've had to break trail up the south peak in the past, and it is NOT easy. 

The distance from the parking lot to the south peak is about 1 mile, going up about 660 ft.  A good portion of that is in a 3/4-mile stretch.  It took me 1 hour 25 min. to get to the south peak from the parking lot.  Quaggy Jo may be a small mountain, but the south peak trail is not easy.  It is almost straight up, with not much for switchbacks. 

The view of Katahdin was not very good today.  It almost blended in with sky.  Katahdin is 65 miles away.

After the south peak, I continued on the much easier Ridge Trail to the north peak, stopping at the lean-to and buried picnic table along the way.

It took me 45 min. to get from the south peak to the north peak, a distance of almost 1 mile.

It took 15 min. to go down the north peak trail, a distance of around 0.75 miles.

The total loop was between 2.75 and 3 miles.  The hike took 2 hours 40 min.  The total elevation gain was around 900 ft.

I had the trails on the mountain all to myself.  About 1/4 of the way down the north peak, a came upon footprints.  Whoever it was turned around.  At the bottom of a short, steep stretch I came to a spot where someone with snowshoes had turned around.  Just before getting back to the parking lot I did meet 3 people.

After the hike, I went out on Echo Lake for a few minutes.  I returned to my truck and removed my snowshoes, and then went to get some food.  :)

The park was busy with the Winter Family Fun Day, but most of those people do not venture up on the mountain.

I arrived at the park at 8:30 AM.  Left at 12:50 PM.

*** Historic fact ***

Aroostook State Park bears the distinct honor of being Maine's first state park. In 1938 interested citizens of Presque Isle donated 100 acres of land to the State of Maine, and following that gesture, the park became reality in 1939. Today the park totals nearly 800 acres thanks to subsequent donations and purchases.

** Currently -8 here at the house.  Heading out shortly.  **  Beard freezing weather.. LOL

Snowshoe hike up Quaggy Jo Mtn.  Route will be up the south peak, go along the ridgeline, and down the north peak.

The south peak is rather steep.  You go up about 660 ft. in elevation, and a good portion of that is in a 3/4 miles stretch.  It is basically straight up -  ! Yikes!!!..  I said straight...!   LOL  Not much for switchbacks.  On the final steep stretch, I normally find myself going off trail and holding onto trees, as it is almost too steep for snowshoes. 

There is an excellent view over Echo Lake and the surrounding countryside at the top of the final steep stretch.  After this, the going will be easier. 

At the south peak, there is a viewpoint, where you can see all the way to Katahdin - 65 miles to the southwest - on a clear day.

The hike continues along the ridgeline, with a viewpoint with a picnic table and lean-to about 3/4 of the way across.  Ridgeline hike is fairly easy.

There are also two good viewpoints at the north peak.

From the north peak, we go back down to the parking lot.  This trail is not as steep as the south peak, and the going is normally quick. 

The hike is almost 3 miles.  Total elevation gain is around 900 ft, with about 660 feet going from the parking lot to the south peak.  Plan on 3 hours, depending on conditions.  Should be faster if we don't have to break trail, but could be slower if we have to break trail the entire distance.

The elevation of the south peak is 1,213 ft.  North peak is 1,141 ft.

I'm labeling the hike moderate to strenuous because if we need to break trail up the south peak, that will be strenuous, as it is steep.  Sometimes, one step forward, two steps back.  LOL  I need to buy trekking poles.  LOL

I've used stabilizers on the trail, but never used microspikes, but should bring something for traction to be safe. 

No way to predict weather, but be prepared for COLD.  LOL  Bad weather could also cancel this as well. 

I'm hosting this hike on the same day Aroostook State Park is holding Winter Family Fun Day.  The cost to enter the park is $1.50 per person, and INCLUDES a hot lunch... :) 

For anyone who does not want to take part in this hike, but wants to check out the park, there is plenty to do.  There is FREE equipment available for the day.  First come-first serve.  Snowshoe trails and groomed XC ski trails.  The official events start at 10 AM, but I want to start the hike by 8:30 AM.

I've gone to several Winter Family Fun Day's over the years, and even with a lot of people in the park, I normally have the mountain to myself, as most people stay on the easier trails in the park.

I know this is a long drive for most people on GO.  I do have 1 double bed, for anyone who'd like to spend the night, before and/or after.  I can host 1 couple, 1 single guy, or 2 guys who don't care if they share bed.  LOL  I might even be able to convince my partner to give up his queen bed.  LOL  :)  There are also several motels in Presque Isle.