I’m unlikely to generate a flood of interest but, weather permitting, I’m planning a Christmas hike. Ideally I’d like to leave on Christmas day and return sometime before the 29<sup>th</sup>, spending at least two nights on the trail. I’m open as to destination and route but I’d also like to restrict the choices to places I can safely reach within a three hour drive of Glenburn Maine. Even with that restriction, there are lots of choices including a wide swath of the Appalachian Trail. If I’m on my own, I’ll almost certainly choose a route along the AT because the shelters offer the illusion of protection from the elements and a ready destination. The 100 mile wilderness would normally be a great choice but the nearby roads are dicey at that time of year. A less risky choice might be where the AT meets highway 6 near Monson or further South where the AT crosses highway 27 at the Bigelow Preserve. These areas are usually clear plowed and parking is available.
I have a relatively comfortable AWD vehicle good for the normal range of bad weather in Maine and a rusty old 4×4 truck, with a snowplow, that is good if things get a bit worse but I don’t plan on risking my life getting to the trail head so I’ll be watching the weather. Last year the temperature in Central Maine hovered around freezing at Christmas with a few inches of snow on the ground but, of course, it can be much worse. Snow shoes and a warm sleeping arrangement of some sort would certainly be in order as would a ready supply of fuel and a reliable stove. I’m hoping that I may catch the Northern Lights at least one night although I didn’t see them last winter. If you are in the area with not a lot to do for the holidays send me message.
