Mount Katahdin is Maine's highest mountain at 5,269 ft. Hiking it requires an elevation gain of over 4,000 feet - an extremely strenuous climb, but the views are spectacular. Located within the 209,644-acre untouched wilderness of Baxter State Park, this mountain is most well known for being the northern terminus for the 2,190 Appalachian Trail, which starts in Georgia. Named by the Penobscot Tribe, Katahdin translates to "The Greatest Mountain," and is viewed as a spiritual

All you need is a tent, boat, and WAG bag. Monroe Island in Owl's Head Two of my "work days" last week included primitive camping on an island near Rockland. If you're new to this term, it describes staying in remote areas without access to potable (drinkable) water, bathrooms, or trash cans. While primitive camping on the mainland, you'd dig a cat hole in the ground to dispose of human waste, but on islands, that is not allowed. The soils are too shallow and easily eroded a

My entire family was away last weekend and I had two hours before our kids would return from their cousin’s camp in Belgrade Lakes. Two hours to explore the first half of Portland’s Forest City Trail: a 10-mile route across woods and neighborhoods, featuring 9 trails, school campuses, several parks, an historic cemetery, and two waterfalls. I’d hiked the second half of the trail a few weeks back, leaving from my house and winding my way to the Presumpscot River Preserve (read

North Moat's Red Ridge Trail. Photo credit: Jaime Gagnon Those seeking challenging hikes with breathtaking summits usually head to the White Mountains' Presidential Range, western Maine's Mahoosucs and Bigelows, or Baxter State Park with it's endless, glorious peaks. But I want to tell you about a lesser-known option that's just as satisfying - and much easier to reach if you live in southern Maine: the 10-mile, Red Ridge and North Mountain Loop in North Conway, New Hampshire

These easy trails wander through open fields, wetlands, 15 acres of bog, mature woods, and frontage on the Nonesuch River. You'll find three, flat loops here and the one I completed was about 1.5 miles. You would never know this quiet hiking area lives just off of Payne Road between Eight Corners and Cabela's. I discovered it, because my son and his friend needed a ride to the Throttle Car Club on a Saturday morning and since I look for (and always find) trails wherever I go,

Last Wednesday, our kids left for a trip to Quebec City with their uncle and cousins, and they wouldn’t be back until Sunday. In 18 years of parenting, Tim and I had never had the house to ourselves for five days. I’m pretty sure the longest kid-free stretch we’d ever had was two. As much as we enjoy our boys, this felt like a huge gift...and we were giddy about it. We spent the first few days together, enjoying things like reading books at the beach, not cooking, and leaning

There are few things I enjoy more than sitting around a campfire after a day of hiking with a group of good women. As with most hikes, however, this journey was not all butterflies and rainbows. My college friend, Melzy, was visiting from San Francisco and I had a weekend of hiking and camping planned for us in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. Hiking together wasn't something we'd done back in our college days, but she'd since caught the bug, recently tackling a list of

Less than a mile north of the Wells Reserve at Laudholm, is an easy and accessible trail that's also dog-friendly (on-leash). The wide, gravel path follows a 1-mile loop that winds through coastal forest and along the salt marsh, with distant views of the ocean. You'll find benches, boardwalks, and viewing platforms along the way, plus 11 interpretive signs for a self-guided tour of the ecosystem. It's always exciting to find a trail available to all ages and abilities, but w

There are three big rivers for whitewater rafting in Maine: the Kennebec, the Dead, and the Penobscot. The Kennebec and Dead Rivers converge at The Forks in Somerset County and include class 2 - 4 rapids. The Penobscot River runs through Baxter State Park and is a bit more intense with class 5 rapids. In mid May, I spent a weekend at Adventure Bound, a whitewater rafting and adventure center in Caratunk, Maine (The Forks), with 140 high school students and their outdoor club

In case you're wondering, he did make it across. The last thing you'd expect to find tucked within a bustling city of 70,000 people, is a roaring waterfall, but this is exactly what you'll discover at the Presumpscot River Preserve - and this is why we love (and live in) Portland, Maine. To be accurate, Presumscot Falls is technically a series of rapids and cascades, but I call it a waterfall because it's as breathtaking as those with steep, vertical drops. My kids viewing th

My niece, Lily, on Bald Peak Distance: 2.8-mile loop Elevation Gain: 676 ft Difficulty: Moderate Time: 1 hr 30 min Features: Rock scrambles, a few iron rungs, sweeping views Dogs Allowed on Leash: Small dogs will need assistance over large rocks If you're looking for a family-friendly hike in Acadia National Park, this loop offers two peaks with panoramic views from open granite summits, some fun rock scrambling, and easy parking with an outhouse at the trailhead. Scrambling

View of Little Shagg Pond from Bald Mountain Summit This hike is ideal for summer, offering two swimming holes: one at the start of the trail and a small beach just down the road from the trailhead. The southwest face of this mountain is a popular rock climbing area called Shagg Crag. Stop to watch climbers scale the vertical granite wall, an easy and worthwhile detour from the main trail. Located in Woodstock, Maine, this hike is just 30 minutes from Bethel and about an hou

When my son Finn was little, he used to watch a cartoon called “Veggie Tales.” He loved this show, but the fact that the vegetables had no arms was concerning to him, “But Mom, how are they gonna carry all their stuff?” veggietales.com The answer, which I never gave him because I was laughing too hard was this, “Their moms will carry their stuff. Mom’s always carry everything.” Not only will we carry the stuff, we may also carry the kids. Which is how it went down during thos

The stunning Colchester Causeway extends 3 miles into Lake Champlain, and is surrounded by expansive lake and Adirondack Mountain views. Explore on foot or on bike, with young kids, teenagers, or your dog - everyone will love this trail. At 2.5 miles across, there’s a “cut” in the causeway, but thanks to the Island Line Bike Ferry , you and your bike will be transported across the 200 ft gap to South Hero Island where there is more exploring to do. The ferry runs weekends onl

A special guest post. Romy after helping herself to the sugar bag I just returned from a dog walk where Romy found a hoagie on the sidewalk (if you didn’t grow up in Massachusetts, like me, this is slang for a submarine sandwich). This led me to pull hard on her leash to try and get her away from the questionable snack, ending in a battle of wills and frustration all around. My neighborhood seems to be a landing spot for road snacks, so this happens regularly. It’s a hot butt

So why should we be? Here's one final snowy adventure. My co-worker, Katy, gave me the go-ahead to share her most recent winter trip - an idea so full of fun, it’ll make you happy for snow in March after a long ass winter. A couple weeks ago, Katy told us she was logging off and would soon be unreachable (Slack was not going where she was headed). Once we’d all returned to the office, I asked where she’d gone on vacation and her nonchalant reply was this, “Did I go somewhere?

Sunrise run on the Back Cove in Portland Have you felt a mid-winter restlessness? A pull towards something that makes you feel ligher, more alive? An urge to bust out of your daily routine? This quest has been tugging at me for weeks. Maybe it’s the deep freeze we’re in, or maybe it’s the fury over the Epstein files. Whatever sparked it, I’m ready to act. While we can’t seem to control our corrupt government, we can control the quality of our days. Creating more joy in our da

This gem of a trail leads through an old apple orchard and open meadow, a wooded path along a hidden pond, and a beach with red sand. The red-sand cove, Jordan Point, is located at the western end of Crescent Beach State Park. This sweet spot is separated from the larger sand beach by a rocky ledge, so unless you follow the trail I'm about to share, you'd never know it was there. I heard about "the trail leading through the woods to Crescent Beach" from my friend Meghan many

This was my first big, snowy hike of the season, and it provided everything I was looking for after the Christmas holiday: quiet trails, gorgeous views, and a great workout. I love the holidays - the lights, the time with family, the excitement of our kids - but it's a busy, overstimulating time of year. I'm always eager to get to the mountains for a good, replenishing hike when it's all over. When planning a winter hike, there are several things to consider: Snowshoes or mic

Something occurred to me during a 5:30 a.m. run last week: exploring the outdoors in the dark is FUN. Running through the quiet streets and woods of my neighborhood, lit by the narrow beam of my headlamp and the warm glow of holiday lights, it struck me that THIS is my kind of adult adventure. It’s relatively safe, doesn’t take much time, and provides the same feeling of exhilaration I had as a kid - running around with neighborhood friends past sundown. If you struggle with

Photo Credit: Brian Threlkeld, Photography For The People As if six months of winter in Maine wasn’t enough of a challenge, some add cold-water immersion to their wintry list of outdoor activities. These hardy souls submerge themselves in frozen lakes and ice-cold oceans during the coldest time of the year. Last March, 15 swimmers took it to the extreme with a “Super Plunge” in Ogunquit - a fundraising event involving 24 polar plunges in 24 hours. While they did raise $80,000

Over our 20 years in Portland, we’ve purchased Christmas trees from a multitude of places, including pre-cut from nurseries, gas stations, and high schools, along with cut-your-own trees from a friend’s family farm in Bowdoinham. Last year, we tried a local tree farm and cried laughing while cutting down one of the remaining trees - tiny with a flat top, leaning slightly to the left…and costing a small fortune. I did love this quirky nugget, always appreciating things that ar

My husband suggested I create a hiking checklist for myself, since I have a loooong history of forgetting important items when setting out on my adventures. Like the microspikes I forgot to bring on our recent hike in the snowy Whites. Or my wallet, which I left at home while traveling to Vermont for hiking research. Lists have become my life-line, because my brain is not always functioning like that of a full-grown adult. If you’re anything like me, I hope this hiking hack h

Follow this popular route partway or all the way to the summit of Mount Washington. Hermit Lake and Tuckerman Ravine. Photo credit: Henry McMahon Options are a beautiful thing. I love a trail that offers a variety of lengths and levels of challenge, and Tuckerman’s certainly does. This hike features an additional bonus: it brings you to an iconic backcountry ski destination where you can watch brave souls trek up an insanely steep bowl with skis on their packs, to enjoy a thr

A newsletter about hiking can feel trivial at a time when people are fighting for their human rights and basic needs. But then I have an experience like last weekend - watching 100 high school students start hiking at 5:00 am to share a spectacular sunrise from Mt. Battie in Camden. I’m reminded that disconnecting from the chaos to spend time outdoors ignites the motivation to continue valuing, fighting for, and finding refuge in our messy and beautiful world. Hiking is one o

I've done this hike with groups several times and can confidently say it's an ideal adventure for a range of ages, abilities, and dogs....

Calling all mountain bikers! This gorgeous 64-acre parcel includes up to 4 miles of beginner-friendly trails winding through mixed forest filled with ferns, boardwalks and sunlight filtering through the pines. You can also hike, run, snowshoe, and cross-country ski here. Located at Brunswick Landing (formerly Brunswick Naval Air Station), Neptune Woods was the first parcel here to be actively conserved and developed for recreation. A number of community partners were involved

And they're celebrating 80 years of life-changing, outdoor experiences. One of the best parts of my new job with Teens to Trails is visiting all kinds of outdoor recreation programs throughout the state of Maine. Even better, I get to meet the good people who facilitate these programs - and let me tell you, there’s not a bad one in the bunch. Last week, I had the great pleasure of touring Pine Tree Camp - a 285-acre waterfront campus in the heart of Belgrade Lakes. Teens to T

If you’re new to Cathedral Ledge, it’s a 700-foot-high rock wall just outside of downtown North Conway, NH. The cliffs are popular for...

This was a hike of dreams. My hiking partner, Jaime, finished her NE 67 (hiking all of New England’s 4000+ footer mountains) on Bondcliff at sunset, and I got to witness it. For two years we’d been talking about this 20-mile out-and-back hike ending at the iconic Bondliff summit, a rocky outcrop with a flat top for standing - and if you dared, looking over the edge of the 4,698-foot summit to the valley hundreds of feet below. I’m terrified of heights, so figured I’d just cra

Guest Post by WinterKids. Photo by Theresa Hanten DIY Summer Adventure Journal Good to Know: Suitable for: PreK - Grade 2 Can be modified for children in higher grades. DOWNLOAD INSTRUCTIONS AND PRINTABLES HERE Includes five printable blank outdoor journal pages: ● Cover Page ● Journal Page (sketches & notes) ● Journal Page (sketches only) ● Journal Page (notes only) ● Transition Word Suggestions This activity is great for children who are in Grades PreK – Grade 2 and ca

To all the fellas, I'm really glad you're here, but this post is for the women. I dedicate this post to all the female hikers who continue to get out there and do the thing that makes you feel most alive - through periods, pregnancies, perimenopause, menopause, and all of the hormonal fluctuations that make us soft and strong, vulnerable and powerful, friendly and fiesty. I hope you hike through all of the beautiful and challenging stages of a woman’s life. Because we know we

This was my second hike up Deer Leap and my fourth trip to Vermont in less than a year, thanks to the trail guide I’m working on. Living...

Me below Piazza Rock. Photo by Jaime Gagnon. The jaw-dropping reward at the outer end of this hike evokes wonder for nature’s majestic...

If you've never heard a dog scream, watch a 120-pounder, who can't swim, fall in a lake. Lucky for Romy, I was able to pull her out by...

I’ve admired this gorgeous barn for twenty years, driving past it countless times during trips to Mount Desert Island. Situated between Crooked Road and rolling hills with wild lupine, this historic farm dates back to the 1840’s. The iconic barn is en route to downtown Bar Harbor from the coveside cabins we rent for our annual family reunion each June. Last year, I noticed trailhead parking near the farm and this year, I got to explore the trail leading from it. Purchased by

A must-see waterfall if you're in Stowe! Less than 5 miles from the Sterling Pond Trail , which I shared details on last week, is an easy...

A moderate, 3-mile loop featuring grand views, cascading streams and stone stairs. Just outside of downtown Camden in Midcoast Maine, the...

We went to Stowe this past weekend to research my final three Vermont hikes for the Dog Hiking New England guide I’m working on. With a...

Since our boys were little, most of our vacations have involved camping or trips with extended family. Last summer, we rented a lakehouse...

Photo by Northern Outdoors (Post originally published in August of 2023) White water rafting offers unrivaled family fun. Lucky for us, we have access to three places to raft in Maine: the Kennebec River, the Dead River and the Penobscot River. The Kennebec and Dead Rivers converge at The Forks in Somerset County and include class 2 - 4 rapids. The Penobscot River runs through Baxter State Park and is a bit more intense with class 5 rapids. I've never rafted the Penobscot, bu

Last weekend, I joined eleven women in a large cabin heated by wood stove, and there was no cell phone service. It was the perfect reset...

This shorter day hike offers an exposed summit with 360-degree views, including a clear shot of Mount Washington. For that wide-open...

Photo by Henry McMahon This moderate 3.5-mile loop is located off the Kancamagus Highway near Conway, NH. The trail begins with a walk...