If you’ve had the opportunity to read my previous columns, you’ll have noticed that I regularly talk about our trips to Maine (United States). My partner and I have been snowmobiling south of the border since the winter of 2008. I refer you to an article published on this subject in December 2024 entitled “Snowmobiling in Maine.” We also go there for camping and various activities, including the Maine Snowmobile & Powersports Show, which was discussed in a column published last December that you can read here.
OUR FAVORITE DESTINATIONS IN MAINE
Among the destinations we love are Stratton, Rangeley, Greenville, Rockwood, Millinocket, Eagle Lake, and the town of Skowhegan. Located further south, this town is not accessible every winter. Our last trip to Skowhegan was in 2019. Although there were a few years when we couldn’t go to the United States because of the health situation, we wouldn’t have been able to go there.
WHY MAINE?
One of the reasons we love hiking in Maine? THE LANDSCAPES!! There are many magnificent viewpoints. Of course, when you go to Skowhegan, there are a few lakes, but the majestic mountains dominate the scenery in several places.
We are having a beautiful winter, and the weather and snowfall have finally allowed us to return after all these years. Although the round trip is only about 600 km, getting there is never easy; it’s always an adventure. Since this area rarely receives significant amounts of snow, some winters there are simply no trails. And even when the trails are open, maintenance can be lacking.
PREPARING FOR THE TRIP AND ITINERARY
We are having a particularly cold winter, but the weather was favorable that weekend, so we decided it was the right time to take a chance on the adventure. My partner takes the time to check that the trails are accessible, consulting the Facebook pages of the various clubs we’ll be passing through to confirm that we’ll be able to get to Skowhegan. With everything confirmed, we leave home on Saturday, February 14, around 8:30 a.m.
When we talk about our trips to Maine, people often ask us where we cross the border. We take Trail 75 South on the Quebec side and enter through the Armstrong-Jackman border crossing, which is 90 km from our house. We cross customs at the same place as road vehicles, via Route 173. Once we have crossed customs, we reach ITS Trail 89.
On this beautiful sunny morning, when we arrived on the American side, the trails were in good condition and, strangely, we noticed that there was less traffic than usual on the weekend. As it was the start of a week of vacation for them, we came to the conclusion that, since there is snow in more regions this winter, this has caused a spreading effect. Those who sometimes traveled several hundred kilometers with their trailers to come further north decided to travel a shorter distance to enjoy the trails.
GAS AND FOOD ALONG THE WAY
Stop at The Forks to refuel and have lunch at Northern Outdoors. As you can see in the photo, we have VIP parking. Northern Outdoors is a charming establishment, like many other places in Maine where wood is omnipresent, creating a warm and friendly atmosphere.
The food is very good and the staff is friendly and welcoming. You can enjoy microbrewery beers and accommodation is also available on site.
A BUSY AFTERNOON
We resumed our hike after lunch and decided to take connector 113. Contrary to the information we had received that all the trails were open, this section was largely closed. We decided to venture out anyway since there was snow on the ground. Once we arrived in Skowhegan, our biggest challenge was trying to get to the Belmont Motel.
Although I had told the owner that we were coming from Quebec by snowmobile, he failed to mention that the trail no longer went nearby. So we had to drive about 1 km on the streets to get to the motel. We took the time to look at our options for the next morning to get to the trail more easily.
PLANNING THE RETURN HOME
My partner contacted the club responsible for this section of the trail. Contrary to the information gathered the day before, he was finally told that we should avoid using connector 113. On the way back, we found a way to reach the ITS 89 trail mainly by passing through businesses on Route 201. The conditions were much better than the day before.
We stopped in Jackman to refuel and have lunch. I took the opportunity to take the classic photo in the Bishop’s Store parking lot.
WHAT ABOUT THE CURRENT POLITICAL SITUATION?
Given the political situation in recent months, many people have asked us how Americans are treating us. I can assure you that they are very kind, welcoming, and respectful, and they don’t hesitate to come up and talk to us. They are always impressed to learn that we are traveling directly from our home to go snowmobiling in their country.
CONCLUSION
Although this was not our first trip to Skowhegan, each time is an adventure because the journey is rarely monotonous, considering all the surprises and unexpected events we encounter. None of this will prevent us from wanting to return if the conditions are right.
