2021 Great North Woods - Fall Date TBD

Closest sandy beach to QC. There's also basically a straight shot route from OOB up to I think it's roughly Augusta then a straight road to QC.

 

201

 

Not at 18mpg I don't

 

I've been off the forums for the most part but I would really love to run this trip. Count me as interested when the time comes closer.

 

Very interested in attending this trip. Would love some more details!

 

1. Remember credit cards only get you so far when there's no way to read them Millinocket is not credit card heavy, but there's normal gas stations and a dollar general.

2. If anyone wants to meet off in OOB on the way up as a pit stop let me know. Exit 36, shouldn't be bad early/mid day Friday. Few decent breakfast places, y'all would take off on me once we got to the highway though - I drive granny style, 65-70.

 

Yup, also the checkpoints are cash only. Dont remember the out-of-state camping rates, but I would say bare minimum $100 cash per person

 

I work in OOB, and live in Saco. As we get closer let’s talk. I maybe able to find a few spots for some folks.

 

Are checkpoints listed on the Maine map?

 

The bigger ones are on the Delorme yes. Not sure if the little electronic ones have been added or not

 

https://www.northmainewoods.org/ki-jo-mary/kijocheckpoints.html

https://www.northmainewoods.org/information/regulations.html

https://www.northmainewoods.org/information/fees.html

A lot of info on their sites. Big one: Logging Trucks have right of way

And don't blow by a logging machine like a loader or feller buncher without an acknowledgement of the operator. I haven't been up on logging trails in ages, but I'm not sure if they'll be less active since it's the holiday weekend or not.

 

Holiday weekend and early season, they won't be too active. I don't think we saw any last year.

 

Its all pretty easy rules.
no fires in non-designated fire rings, no fires at non fire ring sites, unless you have a burn permit.
fishing laws apply (get a license, theyre cheap)
trailers are allowed, but the roads are rough... and some trails get a bit narrow.
campsites have outhouses (typically 1 or 2 depending on size of campsite, (bring your own roll of TP)
drinking water is a must (I brought 6 gal, and a case of bottled water. and as much beer, or liquer as you want to consume, or share (I can recommend against glass bottles, if possible. no D&D- I wont allow it, and nor should you).
pack in: pack out (bring trashbags)
cash only at checkpoints was $70 or so for me single vehicle no passengers last year (plan on $80-100/head) they do sell hats, t-shirts, and stickers/patches.
more useful info on here: http://www.northmainewoods.org/flipbook2014/files/inc/70c8cce433.pdf

suggestions from experience:
*gearup, and get ice in Greenville,ME (last spot we stopped that had any, there are a few commercial camps in the NMW that sell ice) trading post (HANNAFORD), groceries are a little bit more pricey up here, but not bad, and they have a decent selection..
*trading post also has any camping supplies you may have forgotten (pillow for me last time), fishing lures, cookware, mug, clothing, etc.
*I highly recommend that we leave the B52 site earlier than last year (was around 4pm or so that we left the B52 site last year).. was fun, but not ideal setting up camp in the dark/wet..
*bring a rain jacket/pants/boots... the hike to the ghost trains in the pouring rain was a bit miserable..
*bring 5-10gallons of extra fuel there are no gas stations in NMW, although Dysants does have pumps in the NMW that you get a punch card from their stores, but I didnt see any last trip..
*cell phones get no signal up here AT ALL, bring music on your phones, or a USB stick.. on the other side someone should bring a sat device/E-pirb/inReach just in case.. (planning to get one at some point)
all this trip really requires is a bit of planning,a nd a lot of common sense...

 

Are we starting in Milly or Greenville?

I am planning probably as much non-ice needed food as possible. I have a walmart yeti knock off though I'll probably bring that regardless. planning 1gal/day for each me and dog, and planning +5 gal gas.

Are the sites on/near a lake/streams? I can only presume my dog will be muddy and might need a scrub down. Might bring a tank sprayer for that part we'll see how that goes.

 

But, how many pairs of socks will I need?

 

I got the "72Qt, lifetime" cooler, works great, and with 2 blocks of ice, and a bag of chipped ice on top the food lasted well past the 3 days (I was loading in 70* bottles of Hefewisse beer into it on days 1 and 2) planning to put 4- gallon frozen FIJI bottles in it). theyre square, so maximize space, and 1 gallon blocks will take a few days to thaw out, and I can drink them when they melt..
there are plenty of ponds/lakes up there.. and a bunch of streams.

 

none if you wear sandals... unless you're one of those.........

 

1.7321 pairs. No more, no less. Trustttt meee

 

rule of firewood. However many pairs you think you need, you need 3x as much

 

Also rule of firewood. If you plan on following Rich or @Arcticelf, make sure you have a headache rack