impromptu North Maine Woods trip september 18th-24th

Looking at the possibility of anyone wanting to hit the NMW anytime 9/18-9/24... I'll be on vacation this week 09/13-9/16 I will be camping in Cape cod.

and could use some time away from it all.. reply on here... like to keep it kinda small 4-8 trucks. no real plans on destinations, but 2-3 days up there would be nice.

Same as last trip meet up in greenville at the indian hill trading post, and get groceries, and ice, and head out to 20 mile checkpoint. gas station is right there for a last minute fuel up..

last trip I did by myself I paid $38 for 2 nights camping. so depending on your food budgeting skills, and planning you can get away for under $150 including fuel. I highly urge you bring 5gallons of spare gas, but recommend 10gallons or more (there are no pumps up there...

all thats left is to set a date for this... pack for all eventualities..

stock trucks welcome to join, recommend decent treads, and 4x4, but a 4x2 can make it through all the roads easily. spare tire is a must, and a tire repair kit.


LIST SO FAR:

@Dirtridercrf250
@STgen3
@dorton

anyone else?

 

thinking of going westward after pittston to the penobscot lake dam, there is a campsite near there. and a stream after the dam.. should be a decent fishing spot. more planning in the works..

 

Could be into it but I'd have to check the dates

 

We'll be in that area 9/22-9/25'ish time frame. I'll keep an eye on this thread over the next few days and
see where it goes.

 

Im planning anytime in those days, just trying to take advantage of the vacation days i have. we can change the area/s if its better suited, or someone has a better idea.. we had 11 trucks on our last outing, and our first stop after the B-52 crash site north of greenville was the campsites on round pond, and then the second night we made it to oxbow road campsite. and it was about a 20minute ride to the oxbow road checkppoint, and a 45 minute ride t the nearest fuel up and then south on 295 to bangor. I want to explore some of the western part of the state and there are plenty of campsites to choose from. let me know as this is not all set in stone... yet..

 

I am down, I have next week off as well and could take a couple days too test the new tent.
@Scott17818 I did a run after our last and stayed at both sites. Roads where in Much better shape.

 

I'm headed to cape cod tomorrow morning for the beach runs (if they open more of the beach that is), if you are up for it, I will be back in Thomaston on the 15th (however birthday dinner is that night, and I may need a day to re-cooperate from the 3 females on this journey.. (wife daughter, and daughters friend). I kind of want to hit up other areas (fishing spots), I got my fishing license the other day, so I'm legal... just need to pick up a decent rod, and reel (been a while, and most of my old stuff was saltwater)... live bait doesnt hurt either... let me know if you have any other ideas. I'll be researching spots when I can on our trip (might let the wifey drive my taco...)..

 

Nice! Have fun @Scott17818

 

Fishing is on the agenda. I’ll be bringing fly fishing gear with us.

 

Going for simple/cheap. Ugly stick with basic lures/ bait hooks. .. saving my money for tires, lift kit, and hopefully a front bumper... waiting on old tax returns I filed few weeks ago... also hot a nice little settlement check for work screwing me out of over $10k in unpaid OT (10 years worth).. but due to a state law they're only required to pay me for 2 years of it.. so getting 3300 before taxes.. so 2200 ish.. that should cover my tires, and the tax return will cover my lift..

 

So I'm assuming you'll come up on the 18th and meet in Greenville. They have a nice camping/outfitters shop & grocery store for basics if you forget anything. Planning to be there around 10am.. fuel up (bring 2 Jerry cans for gas.) And food for however many in your party with a way to cook it.. trying to get us to all fire pit sites, but no guarantee.. so far I'm counting 3 trucks total. And one joining up on friday..

 

Wednesday-Friday AM packup
Penobscot dam campsite has 4 camping sites 1 outhouse. (there are 2 other alternate campsites if the dam site is full (Penobscot Lake (Ice Box Pit) , and Cheney Pond Campsite)

Friday-Saturday
Baker Lake Campsite, or as a backup (Ross Lake Campsite)

beyond saturday will be determined by food stores of individuals, and gas to get into, and out of the area, but I'm looking at Squirrel Mountain Campsite as a final spot..

past saturday will be a shot south to millinocket for fuel at the local irving station (prices per google not too bad ($2.53/gallon...)

fuel: looking like 270 miles....
Greenville to Penobscot lake campground = 64miles
Penobscot lake campground to Baker Lake = 42miles
Baker Lake to Ross Lake = 34miles
Ross Lake to Squirrel Mountain = 25miles
Squirrel Mtn to Millinocket = 99miles

figure on getting 12mpg or slightly less (entirely dependent on your vehicle mods, etc)= 22 gallons, so depending on your right foot 5 gallons or more is not out of the question.. I plan to carry 10 gallons on top of my 20 gallon tank just in case..

Water: 5+ gallons of water, as well as a case of bottled water for drinking. (I will be bringing my rinsekit with 2gallons, and a jerry can with 5.6 gallons, and a case of bottled water)

food: for 5 days + after millinocket we can fuel up, and get some food/ice, and go out again. Enough ice for 5 days (block ice works best, melts slower)

gear:

*recovery shouldnt be an issue... although I'll have tow straps, and shackles.. if someone has a winch.. well... you know..
*tent- something that doesnt leak, and will keep you dry, extra tarps are a plus..
*clothing- temperatures have a funny way of being 60-90 degrees during the day, and dropping to near freezing at night, pack accordingly
*fishing supplies - bait, spare line, spare reel, etc.. lake trout, and muskies are typical here. Fly fishers will want to look for a "white ghost" heard it is a northern Maine classic fly, and the fish jump for it..
*vehicle gear: spare oils, liquids, spare parts (shouldnt need much, roads are just dirt roads, corrugations)
*radio: CB, GMRS, FRS, HAM radio not required, but a good piece to have.
*CHECK YOUR SPARE TIRE!! tires blow/slice open on sharp rocks all the time. ( I carry 2 tire repair kits, a torque wrench, and a 12v compressor)
*Maine Gazetteer map book (they carry it at the trading post for $20 or so)
*GPS- if you have one, if you have a smartphone/tablet get google maps offline maps of the area (free), google earth (free) or spend the money and get GAIA...


so far this is all i can think of... I'm beat.. spent all day from 10am-9:45 driving home from Cape Cod

(spent some more time on the dunes from 10-12:30, then headed into P-town (provincetown) to walk around a bit, and get some lunch... didnt head out of there until 3:30pm)..

 

I'll be in Moosehead myself Thursday to Sunday, fishing the big lake.

 

Also if someone can bring a chainsaw for cutting downed firewood, have an axe, and a pruning saw, but my chainsaw is being tempermental..

 

also forgot to mention checkpoints take cash or check only, no cards..

 

@jethro more than welcome to join us...

 

I’ve been waiting for something like this happen up here but I have too much going on right now. I have no idea where this summer went.

 

@Dornbox stay tuned in northeast section... I believe @SR-71A and a few others want to make a run up to NMW sometime in October-December... if its in december I may go as well. kinda booked up with my other trip in october to NH... but I'd be up for a december trip on a saturday/sunday/monday..

 

I'd love to but I'm dragging the boat all the way up there to fish the big lake. Have a cabin rented with a dock, hopefully have a cooler full of fish when I leave Sunday.

 

Wish I had this time off