7836-R4_MSA_SnowmobileMaine

Snowmobile the Eastern Region by Eileen Lafland

The Eastern Region has 74 snowmobile clubs and is largest of the five regions both geographically and with number of clubs. It covers the counties of Washington, Hancock, Penobscot and Piscataquis. Each county has its own unique riding experiences ranging frommoun- tains, wide-open spaces, wooded club trails, or ocean views. Let’s start with an area most everyone is familiar with, shall we? Travel up Interstate 95 and get off in Medway. You can use the park and Ride beside the exit or go up the road a way and into the clubhouse parking lot of the East Branch Sno-Rovers Club. Here you have many options for day rides. Head north to Mt. Chase, Mattagamon, Bowlin then across towards Baxter Park coming down in to Millinocket with a stop at the Northern Timber Cruisers Club. Maybe when you are there the snowmobile museum will be open and you can check out the antique sleds. Continue your ride east, back to where you parked to complete your day. If you want to trailer further and go to the Timber Cruisers you have many options from here as well. Head south over towards Upper Jo- Mary, cross the multi-use trail suspension bridge off Route 11, down to Brownville and back. You can trailer even further go through Millinocket to the Millinocket Lake area to start your day. Look for the parking lot after you go by the entrance to Baxter Park, (State Rd). From here you can go west to Northeast Carry, Pittston Farms, and Ragged Lake. On any of these rides you will see beautiful scenery with Mt. Katahdin as your backdrop. Want a less traveled but equally scenic ride? Stop in Lincoln and ride out of there east to Mattawamkeag, Springfield and Lee or go west to Milo and Dover. You can also reach these areas from the Park and Ride in Medway. Another well known area in the Eastern Region is the Greenville area. You can start in Dover, ride through Guilford, Abbott, and Monson or go towards Sebec. Ride around Moosehead Lake, head towards Kodadjo, or head towards Rockwood. You can also get to Pittston Farms from here.

So what

about less popular but equally scenic rides in this region? Why not start in Newport and head towards

Dover, Exeter, Corinth, Charles- ton, Atkinson Milo or Dexter? You can head up to Hampden and Hermon then on to

Bangor and up to Kenduskeag, Hudson, Levant or Glenburn. Much of this ride will be on local club trails and take you through wooded areas with many chances to see wildlife. Let’s cross the Penobscot River! Trailer to Holden and park at EMSC. Ride northeast to Clifton, Milford, and out towards Nicatous Lake and Beddington. You can also take a ride south to Orrington, Bucksport and Dedham. Ride up Bald Mtn in Dedham which overlooks Phillips Lake. Again, most of these trails are local, wooded club trails, but you will find great views from any of them. Not ready to stop yet? Here’s another area to explore. Go to Ellls- worth and start at Washington Junction which is the beginning of the Downeast Sunrise Trail. This trail will take you along the coast toward the Canadian border through Franklin, Cherryfield and in to East Machias. Here you cross the causeway and will begin to see tidal water on one side and wooded areas on the other side. Continue on to Dennysville and stop for a break at their clubhouse which is open 24/7. Keep going until to reach Pembroke, which is the end of the line for the ITS sys

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