Porter, Maine

The nineteen mile brook trail is a winding path up approximately 2200 feet of elevation over the course of 3.9 miles. That distance feels a lot farther when you are breaking trail in 18-24 inches of snow and you are carrying 35 lb packs on your backs.  Luckily we started out early and we able to ...

Peaks Island is the closest of the Casco Bay Islands to Portland, ME. It is a residential island that fills up with tourists in the summertime. If you visit the Peaks mid-spring, you can count on fairly decent weather and fewer crowds. There is a hotel and three or four restaurants on the island,...

Mount Pierce (elevation 4312 ft.) is part of the Presidential Region in the White Mountain National Forest.  Upon reaching the summit, you will be rewarded with 360 degree views of the surrounding mountains.  To begin your hike, park at the Crawford Connector Trailhead. You will follow the Crawfo...

Portland Head Light is one of Maine's most iconic and picturesque lighthouses that offers stunning views year round. Located just about 15 minutes outside of Portland, Maine, it's the perfect place to go to watch an early winter sunset and enjoy some ocean views. To get to the light house, you wi...

Bradbury mountain has ample parking and multiple trails that lead around the mountain and up to the summit.  We took the Northern Loop, which is the longest trail up the small mountain. It is a gradual incline of 407 ft over 1.0 mile. It is a perfect out and back trail just to get outside for a b...

If you venture to Cape Elizabeth, you may be lucky enough to see it in the dense fog that I was able to.You'll take a windy road near Portland, Maine surrounded by cute, quaint homes on either side down to the rocky coastline. Park in the designated parking area (very easy to spot as the road's e...

Driving the Kancamagus Highway is something you can do as a way to cross the White Mountain National Forest quickly from I-93 in the east to Conway, or it can be an entire day's activity. In the fall, it's almost impossible not to stop at every turn-off on the scenic highway as it winds through t...

Hike with at least one other and take two cars. First drop one car at the Cog Railway parking lot (Base Station Rd, Bretton Woods, NH). Jump into the second car and drive about 15 minutes to the Caps Ridge Trailhead on Jefferson Notch Road ( N 44° 18' 15"W 71° 21' 42" )The Caps Ridge Trail will l...

Mount Jefferson stands at 5712 feet, the third tallest mountain of the Presidential's in the White Mountain National Forest. The trail head begins at the Caps Ridge Trail on Jefferson Notch Rd. While 2.5 miles sounds easy, this hike is not for the once in while day hiker. Challenging rock scrambl...

Try shooting a gun with L.L. Bean's Discovery Sporting Clay course. You can book courses in the morning or afternoon and will meet at a specified location (the range) where you will meet with the guide and other participants. You will be introduced to the sport of shooting a gun at artificial tar...

Park near the Oceanside Oarweed restaurant or any other public spots on the cove's peninsula. Marginal Way is a nicely paved 1.25 mile out and back path, perfect for a morning walk or run on the rocky coast. Catch fishermen, lobstermen, and recreational boats as they leave, or choose to sit at on...

Liberty Springs Trail is a moderately trafficked out and back trail in the heart of Franconia Notch State Park and the White Mountains. The trail is a part of the Appalachian Trail, which allows it to remain very well maintained throughout the year. The trail is listed as difficult and strenuous ...

The Sugarloaf Trail begins at the Sugarloaf trailhead on Zealand Road off of US 302. There are two trails that begin at this trailhead--be sure to cross the bridge over the Ammonoosuc and look for the "Sugarloaf Trail" sign. The trail begins following the Ammonoosuc River for a short while before...

The Flume Gorge in Franconia State Park is beautiful year round and every season has it's unique benefits. During the summer, the Flume is a highly frequented tourist destination and is usually crowded with groups of kids and families. Technically, the Gorge is closed during the winter and there ...

The Pemigewasset Wilderness is a 45,000-acre treasure embedded within the spectacular “Whites” of New Hampshire. It’s a remote, less often travelled wilderness than the nearby Presidential Range but no less spectacular. The winter “Pemi Traverse”, a 23 mile tour from Bretton Woods to Lincoln, jum...

As a kid, I spent many of my summer and winter vacations on Newfound Lake in New Hampshire and can say without a doubt that it is one of the first places to spark my love for the outdoors. If your'e heading up to the White Mountains in the winter time to ski/snowboard, a drive around Newfound Lak...