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Beech Nut, a Norwegian sod-roofed hut at the summit of Beech Hill Preserve. There are trails we discover that deliver feelings of sheer euphoria. I knew, the moment I was met with crimson and burgundy blueberry fields at the Beech Hill Preserve trailhead, that this hike would be one of those. Blueberry fields along the Beach Hill Summit Trail After a gentle 0.6-mile climb along a wide, gravel path lined with blueberry fields and birch trees, I reached the wide-open summit hil

Sweeping views of farmland, Lake Champlain, and the Adirondacks. View from the Summit Trail at Mount Philo State Park This past Friday and Saturday marked "Family Weekend" at our son's college, so we took a trip to Vermont. Although almost November, the fall yellows and oranges were still holding on and the landscape was filled with farms, cows (so many cows), and color. Since the few hotels near his college in Middlebury were booked, we ended up staying in Burlington - trave

For you, your kid, and your grandpa. I’m about to offer you a rule-free guide to finding yourself a trail name. If you’re new to the concept of trail names, they’re nicknames given to backpackers and long-distance hikers, and they’re usually earned somewhere on the trail. Hikers have trail names for a whole handful of reasons. Here are a few: for fun to own an alter ego for privacy and anonymity to embrace thru-hiking culture for easy recall Some examples of trail names are:

A ghost chimney, covered bridge, accessible trail, and mini ropes course. This hidden gem is located in the heart of downtown Bridgton, Maine. The 66-acre park includes 2.3 miles of trails, winding through woodlands, streams, old stone walls, ruins, and natural playgrounds. The property was conserved by the Loon Echo Land Trust and Lakes Environmental Association in 2012, then gifted to the town of Bridgton. Parking The main entrance for this park is off of Depot Street behin

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

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

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?

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

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

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....