Summary

Join me for a relaxing camping weekend over Memorial Day in Maine.  This will hopefully be an opportunity to meet some new GayOutdoor members!  We'll use the Mt. Blue Campground as our base.  This campground sits on the western shore of Webb Lake, opposite the town of Weld.  The campground includes basic amenities, including hot showers. 

This weekend is meant to be social and fun.  The following is an outline of the activites planned:

• Saturday:  Hike Tumbledown Mountain with its quaint, high mountain pond and open granite summits (6-8 miles / 1600-2000 feet elevation gain – depending on if Little Jackson Peak is included).
• Sunday:  Canoe/kayak Webb Lake and River (rentals available in Weld)
• Monday:  Break camp.  There are a number of short hikes (e.g. Mt. Blue) or sites we could visit (e.g. Coos Canyon in Byron) in the morning before departing.
• Nightly campfires

All planned activities will have ability levels of MODERATE.  Any water activities will require decent swimming ability.  There will be plenty of opportunities to relax, poke around the area, or to take one of many short trails out to the lake.

Camping:  We'll camp at Mount Blue Campground for the 3 nights.  Reservations can be made online at www.campwithme.com. (I've already booked Site 108 and there are plenty of nearby sites available - check the campground map to be sure you're close by).  Maine residents pay $17/site/night; non-residents pay $27 (plus 8% tax).  Information about Mt. Blue State Park along with Campground Map.  NOTE:  You will be responsible for your own site reservation, but I encourage and will help coordinate sharing of sites.  A maximum of 6 people (and I'm assuming 2 tents/cars, like at other campgrounds) are permitted per site.  There are hot showers and lake access from within the park.

Food:  Aside from country stores, there are limited choices for food in this area...Bring most of what you will need.

What to Bring:  Some of the camping supplies to consider would include cooler with food, camp stove, clothing, toiletries, tent, sleeping bag, pad/mattress, camp chair, swim suit, towel(s), aqua socks, hiking boots/shoes, daypack, etc.  No firewood should be brought into Maine.   All firewood must be sourced locally.

Directions To Trailhead Parking Lot

FROM PORTLAND, ME:   Follow I-95 N for 24.6 miles, taking Exit 75 for ME-100 N/ME-4 N/US-202 E.  Follow Rt. 4 for 24.9 miles.  Turn left onto ME-108 W.  Follow for 16.8 miles.  Turn right onto Route 2 and in 0.4 miles, turn left onto ME-142 N in Dixfield.  Follow this for 8.2 miles, where you'll turn left onto W Road and follow to the Mount Blue Campground.  This is roughly 1 hour and 30 minutes (78.1 miles).
FROM GORHAM, NH:  Follow Route 2 for 48.6 miles.  Turn left onto ME-142 N in Dixfield.  Follow this for 8.2 miles, where you'll turn left onto W Road and follow to the Mount Blue Campground.  This is roughly 1 hour and 20 minutes (59.7 miles).
For GPS Users:  956 W Road, Weld, ME 04285 (44.677345, -70.463219)  Meeting Time:  6PM.