8151-R5_MSA_SnowmobileMaine

Snowmobile the Western Region By Carol Bourque, Wild River Riders, Gilead, Maine

T he

Wild River Riders is a small club in Gilead, Maine. We maintain

30 miles of trails and are a critical link to the New Hampshire trail system, as well as a connector between the Maine

Campground in the summer, but in the winter is a pretty place to stop and take a break. Some years the pit toilets are open if you can kick the snow out from in front of the doors.

snowmobile clubs, Stoneham Knight Riders and the Greenstock Snowsports. The highlight of our trail system is Wheeler Mines, which have interesting ice formations in the winter and are a destination stop and the location for our annual cookout at the end of February. (Please remember to stay on marked trails while at the Wheeler Mines. Trails at this location can change throughout the season.) For a nice ride, start at our Park and Ride on Route 2 in Gilead and head left out of the parking lot, following our well-marked trails. In about five miles, your first stop will be the mines. We recommend a counterclockwise loop, and the trail is posted as one way. As you head up the trail, beautiful views of the Mahoosuc mountains begin to appear, as well as Bethel; Maine’s prettiest mountain village. There is a pull off area for sleds, and the first mine is just a short walk from the trail. This mine usually has lots of blue ice. Continue up the one-way trail until you arrive at the Wheeler’s cabin. After admiring the view, loop around the cabin, and you will see the larger ice cave. If the water is frozen, you can walk inside this cave, but be sure not to walk under hanging or dripping icicles. For the ladies, there is also an outhouse at this location. Head down the hillside and continue east towards Bethel and the Greenstock Snowsports trails. Enjoy the views of the mountains as you follow the pipeline and cross several farms. (Please stay on the marked trails!) Follow the signs to Crocker Pond. Crocker Pond is a White Mountain National Forest

After your break hop back on the trail, which puts you on the Stoneham Knight Riders trail system. Keep an eye out for the signs for Mt. Adams. If you’re lucky, and the trail has been recently groomed, it’s a nice ride to a beautiful view overlooking Evergreen Valley. Back on the trail, you will ride some of the finest trails in Western Maine. The trail through Evergreen Valley and over Deer Hill to Evans Notch is an excellent ride. Evergreen Valley and Evans Notch are both roadways closed in the winter to traffic and groomed for snowmobiling. Don’t forget to stop at the Welcome to Beautiful Maine sign for a photo op! You will also want to pull over at the height of land in Evans Notch to enjoy the view down the valley and see the Lion’s Head formed in the rock. When you near the end of Evans Notch, keep an eye out for the signs pointing back to Bethel where you will once again be on our trail system. This is a beautiful remote ride through the White Mountain National Forest back to our park and ride. Your roundtrip ride is approximately 60 miles. Fill up your tanks before starting this ride, or you will have to detour off this route for gas either in Bethel or Stoneham.

23

MAINE SNOWMOBILE ASSOCIATION