Maine Outing... Mt. Katadin, Moosehead and Acadia

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05/14/2009 09:38:44 AM · #1

The wife and I are taking a much needed getaway to Maine next week (20th-30th). This is our first trip us that way. We've got a couple of days of camping, hiking and canoeing at Moosehead Lake and then nicer accommodations near Baxter State Park to prepare us to hike Mt. Katadin. Then a few days down in Acadia NP.

Any DPCers in these areas? Any suggestions or insight?

Message edited by author 2009-05-15 15:29:05.

Bear_Music

Sony 24-70mm F4 Vario-Tessar T* FE OSS

05/14/2009 10:15:19 AM · #2

Get ahold of

Nshapiro; he's done some great pics up there...

R.

Ja-9

Nikon D750

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II

05/14/2009 10:29:35 AM · #3

There is a place near Milo, ME that is the Katatin Ironworks...it is an old abondon area that I think the state park still runs, it was a very different cool place to visit...takes about an hour to read all the stuff and some of the old kilns are really cool to photograph from the center...here are some links for you.... Link and Link

Dover-Foxglove has some really nice art shops (downtown) and antique shops (more residential) to stop at.

In Millinocket, ME this is a good place to eat Link

Also North of Moosehead Lake around the East side of the lake you will find about 1 1/2 - 2 hours out an area of old drift wood...kind of cool...but you are going to be on a dirt road and very remote...

not sure what kind of stuff you like to do...but these are the things that we like to do...we usually stay near (just South and East) of Milo, ME on Schoodic Lake...beautiful place...no phone, no TV just plain relaxing!!!

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II

05/14/2009 12:18:46 PM · #4

Thanks Janine, we're staying in Millinocket so we'll certainly stop at River Drivers.

The remoteness and exploration is what we're after so thanks for the tip about the ironworks and the driftwood. Hopefully we can find it.

Ja-9

Nikon D750

05/14/2009 12:36:56 PM · #5

One other place to be sure to ck out in Baxter is "South Branch Pond" Link we were there in the afternoon and saw several Moose eating to their hearts content in the ponds...if you can get there early in the am you should be able to have fog...ask the rangers there they know where the moose are being sited and will direct you in the right directions...but that Lake/Pond is very, very pretty...

if you can try to drive out the the Southern tip of Schoodic Lake that is where we stay when we are there...there is an old Inn there that is now a residence that used to be part of an old "spool" factory....they used the birch trees from that area in the 1930's to make the spools...the name of the company used to be the "American Spool Factory" it was the only industry in the area...of course they didn't realize that they were stripping the land of their resources and went out of business within 10 years I think...but the area is still slightly inhabited by people that originally worked for the company or their parents did...

Tamron SP AF 17-50mm f/2.8 Di II LD Aspherical (IF) for Canon

05/14/2009 12:45:22 PM · #6

i'm from the Bangor area and am very familiar with all those places. KI(katahdin ironworks is an awesome place. in the area is am unbelievable 8 mile hike called Gulf Hagus. it is maines lil grand canyon. also at the beginning of it is an area called The Hermitage. it is virgin pine forest that is just crazy.

Katahdin will beat you up pretty good, but its worth it when you summit. Knifes Edge is scary to people who don't like hights, but it is really a cool thing to cross.

Dover-Foxcroft does have some nice shops.

About the island, if you have never been there, bring lots of cash, and spare batteries, and memory. Because you'll love the shops in town. And the views are amazing everywhere you go! I try to make it there about everyother weekend. There are lots of really good hikes everywhere, one of my faves is Dorr Mt. to Cadillac Mt. its about a 5 mile trip and has the best ocean and harbor views you could imagine!

Tamron SP AF 17-50mm f/2.8 Di II LD Aspherical (IF) for Canon

05/14/2009 12:56:13 PM · #7

if you have any other questions or thoughts just ask.

Ja-9

Nikon D750

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II

05/14/2009 01:54:09 PM · #8

Oh, I missed the Arcadia NP mention... thunder hole is fabulous!!! (Bar Harbor...Arcadia NP) this is a wonderful place to ck out...Link it is usually very foggy when I have gone there, but a really wonderful place to photograph...

I think that Seal Harbor was a very quaint town...lots of really nice shops...And there is a really nice restaurant to eat at I think just South of Ellsworth on US1...it is on the side of a "Mountain" (remember I am from Florida...anything above 30' is a hill/mountain for me....) but it is an Inn with a really nice restaurant...very good food, gorgeous view...not a low ticket about $100 (couple) with wine and dinner.

Even though I do not live here we have spend about 7-14 days a year in this area...and usually we drive about 2-3K miles during that time to "explore" we don't like the touristy things to much...you know 3 shops and you've been there...so we want to see what is off the "beaten path"

one other place is Deer Isle...it is a really neat drive to make...then if you like Lobster Roll Sandwiches (and they have other things as well...) ck this place out and don't let the line stop you...it moves very fast and don't go to the place across the street...you have to eat at "Red Eats"!!! It was featured on Food Network Link And then you have Boothbay Harbor...there is this little place to eat there that is a "fishing wearhouse" that is on the side of the road...doesn't look like much but it is great food...and the photos at the end of the harbor are stunning!!!

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6

05/15/2009 03:28:32 PM · #9

Thanks all
We are now more anxious than ever to get to Maine.

jlanoue

Canon EOS-350D Rebel XT

05/15/2009 03:52:11 PM · #10

Tom, make sure you make time to get out under the clear dark sky away from any nearby lights at night. That's where I do all my best night sky photography. Several of those "towns" in that area (moosehead) are unincorporated townships, and many have no electricity, thus you'll see skies like you've never seen before, if you've never experienced it, it'll blow you away. The milky way rises about midnight this time of year and it's an amazing site. Also, if you ever come back, pm me, I have a lovely lakefront home that I rent out in that area.

05/17/2009 12:25:39 AM · #11

Originally posted by jlanoue:

Thanks John. I am reading up on shooting starry nights. We don't have much opportunity to do that here in Houston - way too much light pollution.

Tamron SP AF 17-50mm f/2.8 Di II LD Aspherical (IF) for Canon

05/17/2009 08:56:13 AM · #12

the night sky will blow your mind! when you see the milky way its really surreal.

robs

Canon EOS R6 Mk II

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

05/17/2009 12:37:11 PM · #13

One of the things I really miss is the night sky... I grew up in outback Australia and am amazed at what little most people see in cities (more so in the northern hemisphere). It's just not the same.....

jlanoue

Canon EOS-350D Rebel XT

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6

05/18/2009 11:42:43 AM · #14

>>Thanks John. I am reading up on shooting starry nights. We don't have much opportunity to do that here in Houston - way too much light pollution.

Tom, your timing for photography couldn't be better, new moon is on the 24th. If you'd really like to go all out, I can meet you at my camp in chesterville (it's a good 2 hr drive from moosehead), give you a crash course in widefield astrophotography and lend you my tracking device. I wrote up a tutorial on it about a year ago, not much to it, but you do need the tracking device (telescope mount). I can be at the camp on the 23rd and 24th if you're interested.

Message edited by author 2009-05-18 11:43:14.

jlanoue

Canon EOS-350D Rebel XT

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6

05/18/2009 12:50:25 PM · #15

Originally posted by signal2noise:

Originally posted by jlanoue:
Tom, make sure you make time to get out under the clear dark sky away from any nearby lights at night. That's where I do all my best night sky photography. Several of those "towns" in that area (moosehead) are unincorporated townships, and many have no electricity, thus you'll see skies like you've never seen before, if you've never experienced it, it'll blow you away. The milky way rises about midnight this time of year and it's an amazing site. Also, if you ever come back, pm me, I have a lovely lakefront home that I rent out in that area.

Thanks John. I am reading up on shooting starry nights. We don't have much opportunity to do that here in Houston - way too much light pollution.

Hey Tom... here's a milky way shot I took from Chesterville, Maine for the "trees" challenge, this isn't the one I actually entered (the one I entered, I butchered the saturation on a bad monitor).

Tamron SP AF 17-50mm f/2.8 Di II LD Aspherical (IF) for Canon

05/18/2009 04:16:37 PM · #16

one more thing... its an orange little bottle. says "BEN'S 100" on the front. get some, no, get a bunch of them. you'll thank me later.

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 55-200mm f/4-5.6G IF-ED VR

05/19/2009 11:25:23 AM · #17

Flight departs Houston a 6:00AM tomorrow. Can't wait. Thanks everyone for your comments and suggestions.

whitewolf

Nikon D7100

05/19/2009 11:54:03 AM · #18

wow - there's quite a few Mainer's on DPC. Didn't realize how many of us are in here!

Have a wonderful trip up north - it is absolutely beautiful up there! The southern half of the state is also incredibly beautiful.

I do have one major suggestion - & not to be a kill joy by any means - Bring lots of bug repellent. The black flies are already out in force - and the mosquito's are backing them up!

Have a wonderful time!

Tamron SP AF 17-50mm f/2.8 Di II LD Aspherical (IF) for Canon

06/28/2009 05:56:57 PM · #19

how was your trip?