Shuttles around Caratunk, Maine?

[poison_ivy]

I was wondering if anyone has any recommendations or suggestions for individuals who are willing to shuttle in the Caratunk area.

I am aware of the ATC's shuttle list... just looking for any recommendations on who to call as I plan out my final Maine section hikes. :)

Thanks!
-Ivy

[attroll]

The Caratunk House use to supply shuttle services. But I don't know if there are still open or not. You might want to give them a ring and find out.

Send me a line and let me know what section you are doing in the Caratunk area and when. If it is this fall maybe we can work something out and do the hike together. That way we can spot our cars.

[Askus3]

My group used Bob Howe out of Pine Grove Lodge. We stayed there and he drove four of oour group to Carrying Place (Main Logging Road). Very satisfied with accommodations, meals and transport. We paid $30 per person for lodging and breakfast. An extra $15 per person for dinner. Meals are served buffet style. If you choose to stay with them mention my name as your contact and that my group stayed there three nights last September.

Address is: Pine Grove Lodge
Proprietors: Bob & Andrea Howe, 823 Ridge Road, Pleasant Ridge, ME 04920
Phone: (207) 672-4011
Website: www.pinegrovelodge.com (http://www.pinegrovelodge.com)

This location 5 miles out of Bingham to the NW, was ideal for our dayhiking the AT plan. It was a perfect base for these 4 dayhikes.

Moxie Pond Road to US 201 - 12.2 miles - 11.9 on AT.
US 201 (Caratunk) to Main Logging Road - 8.8 miles - 8.2 on AT
Main Logging Road to East Flagstaff Road - 11.7 miles all on AT
East Flagstaff Road to Avery Peak over Bigelow and back down via Safford Brook Trail - 12.7 miles - 8.3 on AT.

This place is more for hunting & fishing groups but he also shuttles for kayakers and canoeists on the Kennebec. He doesn't mind catering to hikers. But that is not his primary clientele. But I recommend them and they are very friendly people. Also have a hot tub.

[ferryman]

As proprietor of the Appalachian Trail Ferry Service for 18 years and local business owner the past 24 years in The Forks area, I would be remiss not to mention the great opportunities that exist near Caratunk, The Forks and West Forks. Water supply dams on both the Kennebec River (class 3,4) and the Dead River (class 3,4,5) provide world class whitewater excitement for the entire family. www.forksarea.com (http://www.forksarea.com) Since the logging drives ended in 1976, dozens of new resorts have sprung up making the area one of the fastest growing in Maine (non-coastal). While only about 1300 hikers crossed the Kennebec Ferry in 2004, upwards of 150,000 folks rafted, kayaked, canoed, fished and did general sightseeing (moose, waterfalls, Moosehead Lake). While I sometimes provide shuttle services in a sixty mile radius, the ferry service is my top priority. The difficulty in this area is the AT is intersected by large river valleys with names like Carabassett, Kennebec, Piscataquis that turn a 17 mile hike into a 128 mile round trip for the shuttle service provider. My apologies for turning this simple shuttle question into life and times in my hometown, but if you have any questions about shuttle possibilities in this area, I would be happy to answer your questions directly at 207-663-4441. Thank You, Steve Longley ps No One knows the north woods above Caratunk better than Keith Shaw Jr of Monson 207-997-3597

[poison_ivy]

Thanks guys for the recommendations! :)

attroll, I'll send you a pm of my plans. They are all summer hikes though... I'm trying to finish up everything south of the 100 Mile Wilderness before September. That way I'll be finishing the New England AT when I step on Abol Bridge. :)

- Ivy