Basecamps: Little Lyford Pond Camps and Medawisla Wilderness Camps
- Maine Woods winter retreat: ski or dogsled to a traditional sporting camp
- Building on an AMC tradition: camp-to-camp skiing in the Maine Woods
- Exploring the trail network around Little Lyford Pond Camps and Medawisla Wilderness Camps
- Gulf Hagas: cross-country ski and snowshoe adventure from Little Lyford Pond Camps
- Backcountry side-trip to Moose Point Cabin
- North Woods mushing adventure and camp-to-camp tour
Explore the Maine Woods on miles of cross-country skiing and snowshoeing trails while enjoying traditional sporting camp hospitality at AMC's two full-service lodges, Little Lyford Pond Camps and Medawisla Wilderness Camps. Spectacular backcountry scenery includes unparalleled views of Shaw Mountain, Trout Mountain, Baker Mountain, and White Cap Mountain.
Little Lyford Pond Camps is only a two-mile cross-country ski from spectacular Gulf Hagas, where you can slip on snowshoes to explore the rim trail. Medawisla Wilderness Camps, located on the shores of Second Roach Pond, also offers its share of ski and snowshoe trails. AMC's self-guided, camp-to-camp ski tour combines both experiences - or enlist the services of a dog-sledding guide to travel between camps.
For additional ideas and packages, check out AMC's Winter Planning Guide.
Winter events:
- 2nd Annual Deck the Halls in Greenville - Games, craft fair, parade, tree lighting. November 24
- New Year’s Eve Celebration - Hors d’oeuvres, special evening meal, and late night bonfire
- Snofest in Greenville - Chili and Chowder Cookoff, Chocolate Festival, and more. February 2-23
- 3rd Annual Dog Sled Race—Greenville to Brownville - Come out to cheer on the mushers and their enthusiastic canine friends. February 16
1. Maine Woods winter retreat: ski or dogsled to a traditional sporting camp
The Maine sporting camp tradition is alive and well at AMC's Little Lyford Pond Camps and Medawisla Wilderness Camps, remote outposts located in Maine's 100-Mile Wilderness region. Beyond the reach of modern day distractions, both camps offer unique experiences for guests to recharge. For Little Lyford Pond Camps guests, this starts with a cross-country ski or dogsled to camp, where a wood-fired sauna awaits. Guests at both camps can expect freshly prepared meals and doorstep access to an extensive network of cross-country skiing and snowshoeing trails from their cabins.
2. Building on an AMC tradition: camp-to-camp skiing in the Maine Woods
Modeled after AMC’s ever-popular hut-to-hut hiking experience in New Hampshire, AMC’s camp-to-camp cross-country skiing package introduces this AMC tradition to the 100-Mile Wilderness of Maine. Plan a three-night getaway and cross-country ski between AMC's Medawisla Wilderness Camps, West Branch Pond Camps, and AMC's Little Lyford Pond Camps. Start with a 1/4 mile ski to Medawisla Wilderness Camps and explore the surrounding trails. On day two, ski south approximately eight miles to West Branch Pond Camps, which is located below White Cap Mountain, one of the highest in Maine. Finish your tour on day three with a nine-mile ski to Little Lyford Pond Camps, where you can spend the afternoon skiing the camp trails or relaxing in the sauna.
3. Exploring the trail network around Little Lyford Pond Camps and Medawisla Wilderness Camps
Skiing and snowshoeing opportunities abound at Little Lyford Pond Camps and Medawisla Wilderness Camps.
At Little Lyford, step outside your cabin and warm up your ski legs on a groomed trail that leaves from camp and travels around lower Little Lyford Pond, or take the more difficult, five-mile roundtrip section of groomed trail heading out to Horseshoe Pond. The next day, start exploring the many miles of backcountry routes from the camp, including an extensive, unmotorized logging road network and ski trails in the AMC's designated ecological reserve.
Options include the Pleasant River Valley ski trail network for a day-long, roundtrip cross-country ski tour on River Trail North up to Big Lyford Pond. A five-mile, moderate roundtrip snowshoe journey up Indian Mt. offers great views of Mt. Katahdin from Laurie’s Ledge.
More experienced winter adventurers can start early for a full day of snowshoeing and bushwhacking up Baker Mt.
At Medawisla Wilderness Camps, there are numerous loop trails for cross-country skiing. Choose the Trout Trail Loop if you're up for a ski tour that is a little more than nine miles, or opt for the Shaw Cut-off Loop if just over three miles is more your pace. Other cross-country ski trails include the Lake Trail Loop, Dr. Wiggles Trail, Deer Run, and Old Farm Trail. Snowshoe trails include the Emmit Trail, Hinckley Trail, and The Maze.
4. Gulf Hagas: cross-country ski and snowshoe adventure from Little Lyford Pond Camps
A four-mile-long, slate-walled gorge carved by the West Branch of the Pleasant River, Gulf Hagas is often called the Grand Canyon of Maine. Ice crevasses and 60 to 70 foot ice walls make Gulf Hagas a sight to behold. And as you will have already discovered, half the fun is getting there. Cross-country ski 2.5 miles from Little Lyford to the head of the Gulf for a combo snowshoe and cross-country ski excursion. Beginners and experienced winter sports enthusiasts alike can make a full day of it with a classic, moderate to more difficult Maine snowshoe on the Rim Trail for breathtaking views of the gorge. Experienced snowshoers with crampons can opt for the 11-mile roundtrip from camp to the bottom of the Gulf. Beginners can scale back on the mileage, with only one to three miles of snowshoeing on the Rim Trail to catch the main attraction, Stair Falls.
5. Backcountry side-trip to Moose Point Cabin
If you're up for an easier to more difficult nine-mile journey from Little Lyford Pond Camps, cross-country ski to Long Pond for a couple of nights at self-service Moose Point Cabin. There is also an access trail from the Little Lyford winter parking lot/trailhead for a six-mile, more difficult cross-country ski or snowshoe to the cabin. Consult with the caretakers at Little Lyford Pond Camps about the route and conditions before making this journey. Moose Point is perfect for groups of up to six, and optional snowmobile gear or personal transport is available.
6. North Woods mushing adventure and camp-to-camp tour
Enlist a professional dog sledding guide and spend the day experiencing the thrill of mushing your own team of dogs across the wintry landscape of Maine’s Moosehead Lake Region. This is an ideal trip for both thrill seekers looking to learn the basics and those content with letting the guide take the reins for a backwoods tour that truly takes you back in time. Jan. 30-Feb. 3, join a camp-to-camp mushing tour for an exciting five-day adventure at AMC's Little Lyford Pond Camps and Medawisla Wilderness Camps, plus West Branch Pond Camps. Along the way, you can spot wildlife and enjoy breathtaking views of Mount Katahdin and the 100-Mile Wilderness.
