A four-season scenic drive

Transcription

1 2013 A four-season scenic drive

2 Photo by Carl Scott Welcome to the Byway! The Katahdin Woods & Waters Scenic Byway takes visitors through some of the most spectacular natural landscape that inland Maine has to offer. Dominating that landscape is Katahdin, Maine s tallest mountain at 5,268 feet, the northern terminus of the Appalachian Trail. The Byway begins at the southern entrance of Baxter State Park and winds it way through Millinocket, along Route and the Penobscot River to Patten, ending at Baxter s northern entrance at Grand Lake Matagamon. The Katahdin region is unique and features Maine s tallest mountain, its mightiest river and its greatest park. A Brief History of the Katahdin Area The legendary and archeological history of Indian occupation of and travel through this land tells of thousands of years of seasonal migrations along great river highways in birchbark canoes. The first colonial settlers arrived in the mid-1770s, establishing frontier outposts along major rivers. Indian guides were hired to assist Euro-American explorers and surveyors. By the mid-19th century, the increase of lumber activity on the upper Penobscot River provided employment in exploration, timber harvesting, lumber camps and river driving, sport fishing and rustication. Small scale lumbering from 1770 on was undertaken by families and limited partnerships. The seemingly endless forest was of enormous value to an expanding America. A thriving ship-building industry on the Maine coast flowed directly from the timber riches of the Katahdin area. Great Northern Paper Company was established in 1900 with the building of a large mill in Millinocket, followed by a second mill in East Millinocket built in Farms in the region were established primarily to support lumbering operations. The building of Millinocket, the Magic City, was legendary in its own time, drawing spectators from all over to witness a new metropolis rising out of the wilderness. Maine s northern forest is the largest contiguous block of undeveloped forestland east of the Mississippi; this includes approximately 10.5 million acres of unorganized territory which remains largely forest land and uninhabited. Maine forests have been harvested for wood products for over 200 years, yet 90% of the state remains forested the highest percentage in the country. Perhaps it was Henry David Thoreau and his Maine Woods chronicles that best captured and then projected the character of the Mountain Glory Farm 33 Penobscot Ave. Millinocket, ME (207) Penobscot Ave. Millinocket, ME (207) Delightful Vacation Apartments Overlooking Mt. Katahdin Open Year-Round Christina Shipp, proprietor 199 Happy Corner Road, Patten, ME info@mountaingloryfarm.com Patten Lumbermen s Museum Preserving Maine s Lumbering Heritage Rhonda Brophy, Curator 61 Rd., P.O. Box 300 Patten, ME Celebrating 50 years curator@lumbermensmuseum.org Rhonda Brophy 14 Main St., P.O. Box 421 Patten, ME rbrophy@fairpoint.net Maine Made Products, Souvenirs and Collectibles

3 region, impressing readers around the world with its wild and inspirational expanse. Thoreau made three major excursions through the region in the mid-19th century, assisted by Penobscot Indian guides. This revered expeditionary journal offered a portrait of a robust industrial and agrarian economy emerging at that time on the doorstep of the wilderness. By 1900 this region was already becoming famous as a vacation and resort destination. Overnight rail journeys brought adventurous people from major cities to rustic camps. Summering in Maine both on the coast and in the undeveloped Maine woods allowed escape from cities, heat, noise and crowds. Creating Baxter State Park began in Governor Percival Baxter, using his own wealth, purchased piece by piece more than 200,000 acres of land, including Mount Katahdin. He donated this invaluable property to the citizens of Maine with the proviso that the land would remain forever wild. The additional $7 million endowment Governor Baxter left to care for the park made it a truly unique gift. Baxter State Park offers dozens of mountain and back-country trails, campsites, picnic areas, streams, ponds, waterfalls and lakes for all to enjoy. There may be no more compelling testimony to the breathtaking scenic quality of this Byway area than the artists of both national and international standing who have traveled to the Katahdin region. From Frederick Church to Marsden Hartley, Neil Welliver and Carl Sprinchorn, artists have returned time and again over two centuries and in all seasons to render the Katahdin range s ever-changing and always highly dramatic views. The current paintings of this historic school can be viewed at several galleries along the Byway, clustered primarily in the Millinocket area. The Katahdin Woods & Water Scenic Byway meanders for 89 miles. Enjoy your adventure! Patten Lumbermen s Museum The Museum was established as a non-profit educational organization to record the graphic history of the lumberjack s world as it existed in the forests of Northern Maine. Housed in nine buildings, the vast collection of tools and equipment reflects every aspect of the woodsman s life and work. The Museum is open seasonally, Memorial Day through Columbus Day. Call or visit Northern Timber Cruisers Antique Snowmobile Museum This museum outlines the history of early snowmobiling in the Katahdin Region with 21 exhibits and many photos. It features one of the largest collections of antique snowmobiles in the Northeast, including one of the first snow machines ever manufactured. The museum is open on weekends during the winter while the clubhouse is open, or by appointment, on Lake Road, Millinocket. Call or visit Ambajejus Boom House This building is host to scores of logging artifacts and provides many insights into the old river drives that brought the wood to its final destination during the years prior to The Boom House has been lovingly restored and maintained by Chuck Harris, one of the many individuals who participated in the last of the great log drives. His recollections of this bygone era and the history behind the drives are worth a visit, and the collection of photos by Rick Brooker recording these treasures are worth the time to explore! The Ambajejus Boom House, on Ambejejus Lake, is open June through October and accessible by boat and snowmobile. The Millinocket Historical Society s Museum The Historical Society s Museum displays many aspects of Millinocket s unique history. Photos and artifacts tell the story of the Great Northern Paper Company, the river drives, the early beginnings of the town and its businesses, schools, churches and people. The museum is located on the third floor (stairs or elevator) of the Millinocket Municipal Building at 197 Penobscot Avenue. Open Thursday afternoons from 1 to 3 p.m. Call or visit SUMMIT FARM LODGING Wilmen & Judy Pelletier Master Maine Guide 3886 Grindstone Rd. Herseytown Twp summitfarm@fairpoint.net Lakeside LuxurL uxury y in the t KatK atahdin ahdin RegionR Maine Highlands Guide Service moose/wildlife safaris quiet paddles nature hikes AT shuttles snowshoeing specializing in small groups mehighlandguideservice@gmail.com e.com Millinocket, Maine

4 Katahdin Woods & Waters SCENIC BYWAY A B C D BA X TE R STATE PA R K 1 E F G H I J K L Grand Lake Matagamon 1 Matagamon Gate Hay Lake Matagamon Gate 2 2 Upper 159 Seboeis Heritage Pull-Off 3 Ea st Food Scenic View Museum Campground Hospital or Clinic Picnic Tables Gasoline Pharmacy Swimming Boat Launch Hiking Information Town Hall ATV Trails 5 6 as W an ch sa ta qu oi k 7 Ash Hill St Stacyville re am 8 Penobscot PARK Patten Patten Br STATE 8 Pub 4 r ve BAXTER 7 Lodging Bank/ATM 6 Seaplane Base Fishing Hunting/ Fishing Licenses Playground Ri 5 Post Office Toilets s ei bo Se LEGEND 4 3 Lower 95 Stacyville Exit Sherman 9 Sherman We st Ri ve r 10 Togue Pond Gate Togue Pond Gate 10 Exit 259 Br an ch Benedicta r xte Ba t co bs no Pe Millinocket Lake Pa rk The Lake ad Ro River Grindstone Grindstone Medway Grindstone Falls Rest Area 13 Ambajejus Lake illi no Pemadumcook Lake ck et Dolby Flowage Rest Area La ke 14 Jo-Ma 14 Roa ry Lak 13 M d Nor e th T win Lak e Millinocket Millinocket East Millinocket 95 East Millinocket 16 Medway 0 5 A B 10 Miles C D E F G 16 Exit 244 H I J K L

5 Year-round Fun on the Byway The quality of the Katahdin area s year-round outdoor recreational resources are spectacular. For many outdoor enthusiasts, Springtime means fishing in Maine. Within the 89-mile length of the Byway there are numerous lakes, rivers, ponds and streams with trout, land-locked salmon, bass, togue, brook trout and other species to satisfy both the fly fisherman as well as those with lures and bait. For quality fly-tying materials and information, you can visit several outfitters and fishing guides along the Byway. Seaplanes are available for serious anglers who want a more remote fishing experience. Fabulous white water rafting on the West Branch of the Penobscot River and moose safaris are also great adventures. Moose sightings in the springtime can number 20 to 30 animals on a four-hour safari. May is the height of the bird migration season. The Maine Birding Trail has several suggested viewing points along the Byway. Spring, with its warm days and cool nights, brings maple syrup season. Maine Maple Sunday features sugar shack visits. These businesses open their doors for you to enjoy the experience and flavor of real Maine maple syrup being made. Summer is all about family fun: camping, swimming, hiking and boating. Kayaks, canoes and boat rentals are all available with or without guide service. Several campgrounds have family activities for kids of all ages. Baxter State Park offers 200 miles of hiking trails with streams, waterfalls, caves and many other natural glacial features to be explored. The Park Headquarters in Millinocket has guide books and information about Park trails, camping, fishing and Lakeside Cabins, Casual Dining, Camping, Rafting, Hiking, Fishing FMI: On Millinocket Lake Millinocket, ME Only eight miles from Baxter State Wildlife Tours, Skiing, Snowmobiling, Vacation Packages, & FUN! swimming, and on the wildlife, wildflowers, birds and the glacial history one is likely to encounter while visiting the Park. No visit to the Byway would be complete without a stop at the unique Lumbermen s Museum in Patten, dedicated to the history of the Maine Woods logging boom. The Museum is nationally unique and features nine buildings housing a vast array of early logging tools, machines, photographs, everything depicting the lumberjack s life deep in the Maine wilderness during the 1800s. The Museum is open Memorial Day through Columbus Day. Mark your calendars for the second Saturday in August for the annual Lumbermen s Bean Hole Dinner where you can taste some of the history the Museum has to offer! The Millinocket Museum is rich in memorabilia and lore relating to wood harvesting, log driving down the Penobscot River and the Great Northern Paper Company. Celebrate the Fourth of July in Millinocket with a hometown parade and activities in Veteran s Park, culminating with a fireworks display. East Millinocket also celebrates Summerfest in early July. During mid-august the town of Medway holds its Rivah Day festival. Patten s annual Pioneer Days Festival in August is a weeklong event with fireworks, children s activities, music, cookouts and more celebrating the pioneering heritage of this area. Curious about what a Maine farming community is like? A few detours down side roads in Sherman and Patten will take you past farms that produce an amazing array of crops and animals. Picturesque farmstands offer a wide variety of fresh produce. Matagamon Wilderness Wilderness Camping at its Best Campground ~ Cabins Canoe, Kayak, Boat Rentals Guide Service ~ General Store matagamon@hughes.net BIG MOOSE INN Baxter State Park Road Millinocket Lake, Maine Closest Full Service Accommodations to Baxter Park Casual fine dining between two lakes Full Service Bar Micro Brews Pub Fare Weddings, Reunions, Banquets Inn rooms, suites, lakeside and trailside cabins, camping, hiking, rafting, canoeing, kayaking, fishing, moose tours, wildlife cruises, float plane tours, bird watching, photography workshops 8 miles from Mt. Katahdin

6 A new Maine ATV trail system has been established that will eventually include a trail connecting many points along the Byway. Presently there are ATV trails at the northern and southern ends of the Byway connecting with hundreds of miles of adjacent trails. Other amenities along the Byway include public swimming pools, tennis courts, golf courses, basketball courts, ball fields, playgrounds and historical monuments. Ask a Mainer and they will tell you that Autumn is undoubtedly the most beautiful time of year. The foliage season spans approximately four weeks from midseptember through mid-october. Indescribable at its height, it is a photographer s dream. Dotting the landscape are hay bale covered fields, the bounty of the year s last harvest. Farm stands offer freshly picked apples, pumpkins and cider. Fireworks, public suppers, band music and a parade are among the activities held in Sherman for Old Home Days. Millinocket holds a Trails End Festival every year during midseptember. It is a celebration for all hikers, especially the through hikers who reach the end of the 2,100-mile Appalachian Trail atop Mount Katahdin. Hunting is a thriving multi-generational Maine tradition. White tail deer, moose, black bear, coyotes, ruffed grouse, wild turkey, small game and waterfowl all have dedicated hunting seasons. Hunting licenses can be purchased at many locations. Winter along the Byway features snowmobiling, dog-sledding, cross-country skiing and ice fishing. Ice fishing equipment and heated icehouses are available to rent on many lakes and ponds. Frost crystals begin to form in November and the local snowmobile clubs gear up to enjoy another winter wonderland. Over 2,000 miles of groomed snowmobile trails are prepared in Maine and await resident and visiting snowmobilers. If you enjoy sledding (Maine lingo for snowmobiling), park your car and travel for miles and miles, stopping at restaurants and lodging facilities right on the trails. The Northern Timber Cruisers Antique Snowmobile Museum in Millinocket is open in the winter on weekends or by appointment. It features 21 exhibits, including one of the first snow machines ever manufactured. Photo courtesy of NEOC If cross country skiing and snowshoeing are more to your liking, you can traverse nearby trails and the Baxter State Park Tote Road trail. In February, several annual winter events are held, including Winterfest in Millinocket, ice fishing derbies on many of Maine s lakes, snowmobile races and outdoor cookouts. Then again, curling up and watching the sunlight on the snow, reading a great book in peace and quiet and enjoying a magnificent sunset are wonderful ways to spend a few days. Enjoy a cozy inn, lodge or cabin along our beautiful Katahdin Woods & Waters Scenic Byway. Join us for year-round adventures in the Maine North Woods! On the NORTHERN ENTRANCE to Baxter State Park... on the ByWay Cozy waterfront lodge and cabins. Daily or Weekly. Group events welcomed! Call us: or visit Photo courtesy of NEOC North Light Gallery Fine Art of Interior Maine Open year-round 10 to 6 Monday thru Saturday Penobscot Ave Millinocket, ME Serving your personal & business banking needs. Recognized as one of the Top 200 Community Banks in the country for the sixth consecutive year by American Banker magazine. Ashland Bangor Caribou Eagle Lake Easton Fort Fairfield Hampden Houlton Island Falls Limestone Mars Hill Oakfield Patten Presque Isle Van Buren Washburn

7 Helpful references Katahdin Area Chamber of Commerce , Lumbermen s Museum Baxter State Park Maine Snowmobile Assoc Maine Birding Trail ATV Maine Maine Office of Tourism Maine Tourism Association Maine Highlands Maine Professional Guide Association Upper Valley Economic Council Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands Photo by Carl Scott Paid for in part by the Maine State Office of Tourism and The Maine Highlands Do you love the nature of Maine? Open year-round 46 Main Street Patten, ME Stephen & Filena Singer filena@comcast.net You can help protect it. Learn more and get involved at nature.org/maine. Peter Qualey Closest store to Katahdin TRADING POST Hiking, Fishing, & Camping Gear Excellent Selection of Area Books & Maps Katahdin Souvenirs Baxter State Park Signs (replicas) Local & Maine Made Products Microbrews & Fine Wine Homemade Breakfast, Sandwiches & Pizza Real Estate Office Last Gas Owned & Operated by a Former Katahdin Ranger Located on the Katahdin Woods & Water Scenic Byway Katahdinvalleyrealestate.com peterqualey@gmail.com Island Falls, ME Broker United Country McPhail Realty Lincoln, ME ,