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sheeptoast
12-21-2008, 18:50
Hey guys, myself and 3 buddies are thinking of taking a little vacation the day after christmas for about a week. I've spent a few hours using google earth to find national parks within 2 days driving from Maine but it has turned out to be pretty difficult. Figured I'd come here for some suggestions as we're looking to mostly day hike/snowshoe. Also if anyone knows a good site to find hiking/outdoor related attractions I'd be very greatful.

Tinker
12-21-2008, 19:35
These guys might be able to help:
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=LL+bean+freeport+maine&aq=f&oq=
Can't be too far away from you.
On a good weather day you can't beat a snowshoe hike up Mt. Washington either from the west, reaching it by Rte 302 (via the Ammonoosuc Ravine trail at the base of the Cog Railway) and back down the same way or via the Jewell Trail - a long day hike for fit snowshoers - sunup to sundown this time of year. Or you could go up the Tuckerman Ravine Trail from the east on Rte. 16 (barring avalanche warning days) and watch the skiers try their luck with the headwall of the ravine.
Is this what you had in mind? You're not putting us on, are you?
If you don't have an AMC White Mountain Guide, you should pick one up at the above mentioned location. Have fun.

Feral Bill
12-21-2008, 19:59
Mount Washington is a bit extreme this time of year. More like mountaineering than hiking. The High Peaks reagion of the Adirondaks might be more suitable. There is still serious weather but way less dangerous overall.

sheeptoast
12-21-2008, 20:29
Thanks for the quick responses guys, just noticed that I was pretty unclear in my first post. It's basically a road trip with a few days of hiking/snowshoeing. Some different geology then Maine and New Hampshire is what I'm thinking, but I've got some better ideas now as long as the weather cooperates.

sticks&stones
12-21-2008, 21:34
Blackforest and Seawall are free to camp in this time of year. Acadia National park

Skyline
12-21-2008, 22:14
If your parameter is anything within a two-day drive from Maine, no need to limit yourself to New England. We're in winter in the Shenandoah National Park area, and it's a two-day drive. 500 miles of trails in SNP, hundreds more nearby! Some easy, some more challenging. Probably won't need snowshoes. Winter weather, but nothing as extreme as the Whites.

Some sites to check:

http://www.nps.gov/shen/

http://www.midatlantichikes.com/va.htm

http://ajheatwole.com/guide/

For help with planning, logistics, shuttles:

www.mvshuttle.com (http://www.mvshuttle.com)

Blissful
12-21-2008, 23:20
We may be in winter in SNP but little to no snow yet (saw some dusting on the highest peaks today). Hopefully soon. But it is cold tonight. Might shoot for this area and enjoy as Skyline said.

Skyline
12-22-2008, 10:38
We may be in winter in SNP but little to no snow yet (saw some dusting on the highest peaks today). Hopefully soon. But it is cold tonight. Might shoot for this area and enjoy as Skyline said.



When driving in the Valley yesterday, it looked like ice on those trees at higher elevations. Overnight Saturday>Sunday we had freezing rain, thus the assumption.

I'll bet with or without snow, sheeptoast (gotta hear how that trail name came to be!) the solitude of SNP in the winter will be just what they're looking for.

And yeah—it's cold!

sheeptoast
12-22-2008, 12:28
Thanks for the good ideas, I'll definetely look into SNP. After getting dumped with over a foot of snow last night maybe some snowless hiking would be nice.

@skyline I havn't got a trailname yet, this has just been my online name for 10 years. But yeah if it was a trailname given to me it would probably have an interesting explaination

e-doc
12-22-2008, 19:32
You may consider something a little different, the coast? Maryland eastern shore, outerbanks of NC. The weather down here n NC is to warm up alot (temps in 60's)! Bicycle ride NC 12, check out Ocracoke Island, mtn bike in Alligator River NWR, etc? Just a thought. Sure beats tons of snow

http://www.outerbeaches.com/OuterBanks/Weather/