The Official North Maine Woods Thread

Done.

One item that I would add to that, is people don't understand that the logging trucks do whatever they want. I had to back around a corner that I was 50% through because a fully loaded truck was coming around it. I believe he was on the wrong MURS channel and blamed me. I have seen those trucks top 80 mph (empty) and 60 loaded. They aren't going to risk their lives or their load because you're in the way. If you see a truck, pull into the ditch, sometimes the literal ditch. These aren't public roads, might has right.

 

For what its worth I very rarely hear them actually using the radio. When they do you still have to know where you are & the landmarks around you they use to call out their location.

I agree with your sentiment though. I think the bottom line to anyone traveling up there, whether a 'local' or coming from out of state, is to drive slower than you think and dont be an ass. Sounds simple, but with the NMW becoming more and more popular with the 'overlanding' crowd there are going to be bad apples. Its just a matter of time until some broverlander has an accident of some sort that lumps us as a community into the "Raptor" crowd, and we all know how that story ended.. Just a week or two ago one of the FB groups Im in had a bunch of pictures of some dumbass who tried to jump his Unimog and trailer on the Golden Rd. Trailer tipped over and dragged on edge for a few hundred feet. Im all for having fun, but come on, thats just a bad look for the entire community. But of course all the FB land peeps loved it. Must have posted the same pic at least five times.

Anyway I digress, getting back to the point this has been a concern of mine over the past few years as NMW becomes more popular. And really I think the only solution is to keep an eye on it and 'police' ourselves while educating others.

 

I am planning to head up for a long weekend for some exploring and camping. Any recommendations on a good campsite on or near a good place to swim?

We do not have any real plans yet on where we are heading yet. We will likely just pack up the truck and wing it...

 

I plan to do some hiking in Baxter this weekend. (Double Top) I plan to enter Baxter from the South Gate at Togue Pond

I am looking for a good recommendation on a campsite semi close to Baxter in the NMW or a good sporting camp to stay at semi close to Baxter.

We are normally tent campers but we may go for a camp if it looks good and there is last minute availability.

 

Road to trains will be closed later this year for logging. Can still get in via boat or snowmobile.

https://www.northmainewoods.org/

Hiya. As an ex-Mainer and now out of towner, come on in. Only like 5% of Maine's income comes from tourism. Don't be a dink is the big thing. Don't be this person:
https://nypost.com/2022/08/21/my-summer-vacation-in-polite-friendly-inexpensive-maine/

NMW is pretty well mapped out on Gaia, the NMW site map, and the gazetter. My recommendation is to get a drone. We used one a couple times, some roads that are shown on the map are just...dead. Or you get to what looks like a road end but there are still tracks going, you go down and it's a bridge out - and turnarounds can be nasty.

The big roads (Golden, 490/409 can't remember, etc) are all pretty well traveled and maintained enough.

Solo? Get an extra spare, and plugs, and a compressor. I was up a couple weeks ago and we lost a wheel, plugged one, and found a slow leak in a third just the other day. Spread between 3 vehicles, me on C loads, one on E. So, the roads are NOT friendly. Between the shale and snowmobile spikes, be ready for it.

They use google earth, they have lists of all of their campsites and gates on there. Can't remember which one had the gates. Here's the link to the google earth thing though - you can export it to KMZ/GPX/etc - I have layers in Gaia for campsites and gates.

https://www.northmainewoods.org/maps/googleearth.html

Gates are cash/check only. No credit cards.

 

Anyone heading up for the long weekend? If you see me, say hi! Come have a beer!

 

I'm goin up Friday morning.

 

Nice looking rig! That's a beauty!

 

Cool little road along the old NE Carry route, if its the one Im thinking of.

 

Thanks, this will be the second trip on the new wheel and tire setup. First one up in NMW.

 

This one was taken in the KI/Jo Mary area.

 

This gas station has free air. The shack between the gas and diesel stands has a hose on the wall.

 

Indian Hill Trading Post is a great store !

 

How is the camp site availability in the KI/Jo Mary area during Deer Season? This weekend is looking warmer than normal. I would like to head up for the weekend with the wife. Maybe look for a deer and/or some birds...

 

Anyone here spend time in the NMW in the winter? Curious how the camping/road situation is.

 

Several times a year. Roads vary, as needed for logging operations. Can change from week to week after a storm so go prepared with alternate plans. The difficult part is camping. Typically none of the camp sites are plowed out, and this time of year you wont be shoveling your way through the snowbanks

 

I gotcha. That’s sort of what I assumed, but was hopeful for more plentiful camping opportunities. Thank you!

 

I am heading up for the long weekend. Anyone else? Stop by for a beer!

How have the road conditions been?

 

Ive been considering it.. Been almost two months since Ive been up there. What area are you shooing for?

 

I will be in the Katahdin Iron Works area, not quite the NMW but kind of. I do not want to give my exact location on the interwebs because

If you see this Taco, it is me.