Chesuncook

Snow Conditions

2012-01-28T08:29:00.003-05:00

Brief period of rain then sleet before another 2-3" of snow last night. Set up real good. Stop in!

Spoke with Abol Bridge Store this a.m. and they got over a foot of the white stuff last night. They are open Thursdays - Sundays with take out food and gasoline right on ITS86. They will be grooming tonight so enjoy the powder today

Sunny +25F.

New Snow

2012-01-27T14:50:00.001-05:00

6-8" so far today. People coming up today said it's great going everywhere. Plenty of snow on the lake and trails........finally!

Snow Update

2012-01-18T08:27:00.002-05:00

Snowed 6'+ over-night. Blowing all over the place right now NE wind at 10 gusting to 30mph. Might be enough to groom. We'll take a ride and see.

Adding up

2012-01-14T08:52:00.002-05:00

5" of fluff snow over night. Blowing and drifting this morning with occasional snow.

It's here! Snow

2012-01-13T08:22:00.004-05:00

Picked up around 4-6" yesterday. Gives us a tremendous base of 8". We''l take it! The lake out front has about 14" of good clear ice.

Lake travel is great......BEWARE OF ICE RIDGES........there are more on the lake than usual. Reports of people out and about have said it's good going and the lakes are great the trails are still spotty, just take it slow and pick your way.

We have NOT groomed yet. Need one more snow to do that. WE ARE OPEN! And we have gas and meals,(not always in that order!) advice n/c!

HELP!!!!

2011-12-30T10:13:00.004-05:00

Help wanted - waitress and kitchen help/cabin cleaning for this winter. Mid January to the end of March 2012. Thursday, Friday and Saturdays. Requires overnight stays lodging included.

Email us if your interested. info@chesuncooklakehouse.com

Lake ICE conditions

2011-12-29T17:51:00.003-05:00

Lake ice out front was 7-8" clear ice as of this afternoon. No guarantees on the rest of the lake. Use caution the usual places will still be open. The ice should pick up an inch or two a day for the next month or so, if the weather cooperates. The lake is open down at the old Chesuncook Dam/landing.

Snow conditions!

2011-12-24T14:20:00.002-05:00

Still pretty boney out there. We have 4-5" on the ground. It didn't slow down the boys from taking the sleds out yesterday while we where in town finishing up some shopping. looks like some light snow Tuesday. Lake has 3-4" on it. Making an inch + of ice a night now.

Merry Christmas to all!

Happy Thanksgiving

2011-11-24T07:57:00.002-05:00

Catching up from a long time off this blog. I'll start updating it regularly now with snow on the ground. The West Branch is froze over and should start moving it's way around Graveyard Point in a week or so. We have 4-6" of snow on the ground. Enough to get you attention and know that ole man winter is moving in.

Re-tracked the PB240 last week and re-belting the the PB170. The 170 will be on it's way down to Abol Bridge to do some grooming on ITS86. Not sure on the exact trails up here this year, just got word that more cutting in the area will be happening this winter. We will be hooked up to the Ragged trails somehow. Should have it nailed down by the end of the year.

Firewood season is here. Cut and split 4 cords yesterday, 4 more cords should do it!

Scrap clean up day

2011-06-25T11:22:00.003-04:00

Now that the road is open we took the opportunity to clear out some junk metal and old trucks and machinery that have been dumped and left over the past 150 years or so. We invited a couple of men to come up and haul it away. There is so much accumulation that they'll have to make another trip, maybe two. If you have a camp in the village, contact us and we'll let you know next time they'll be back for more scrap steel.

Fly n' Dine

2011-06-21T11:48:00.003-04:00

This summer and fall we will continue our Fly n' Dine package with Katahdin Air. After last years very successful season with KA we will continue to prepare great meals and Jim at KA will continue his scenic flights to our Inn. You don't have to leave from KA. Jim can pick you up anywhere and fly you here for dinner, or lunch. We can prepare anything you want, as well as vegetarian and gluten free meals.

Reservations are a must and have to be made with Katahdin Air. Their link is below.

http://www.katahdinair.com/trips.html?page=shop.browse&category_id=51

Fly on!

2011 Moose Hunt is on!

2011-06-21T11:25:00.003-04:00

Congratulations to all the lucky winners of this years moose lottery.

We are located in the heart of ZONE 4. And we still have rooms and cabins available. With the newly completed road into the Lake House you'll be able to drive right to the cabins.

The cabins are $140 per night for 4 adults and $40 per additional person.Or $800 for the week for 4 adults. Cabins are fully equipped with a full kitchen and bathroom/shower. Linens are also included.

All you need to bring is your food and beverages. You'll get your moose here! Good Luck to all!

NEW ROAD is OPEN!

2011-06-21T11:08:00.002-04:00

The road is finished. Thanks to all. Drive on in for a visit.

This summer Starting July 1 we will be putting on weekend dinning specials each Thursday, Friday, Saturday. Evening meals are by reservation only. Seating capacity is limited, so reserve early and check to blog for dinner specials. Buffalo pot roast, lobster, fresh seafood, prime rib, our famous oven roasted chicken as well as vegetarian and gluten free meals. And as always, completely homemade fixings, breads and deserts. Yummy!

Official Ice Out was........

2011-05-02T10:44:00.003-04:00

OK, looked over every webcam snapshot of the Lake and found this one with ice just under the red arrow.

Saturday, April 30th at 4:12 pm. That means that

"April 30, 2011 2:oopm kdh27@msn.com"

WINS THIS YEARS CONTEST!

It's official!

Grrrrr! Old Man Winter

2011-04-20T11:16:00.003-04:00

One last blast of winter this morning. After a long stretch of nice weather. Old man winter is letting us have one more dose of 5-9" of snow. Yippee! Don't forget to pick an ICE OUT date.........someday

Last weekend open!

2011-04-08T09:32:00.002-04:00

Saturday will wrap up our 2011 Winter Snowmobile Season. Plenty of folks have called/emailed and asked if we will be open. YES we will open for food and gas. Riding is still good up here with plenty of snow, off and on trail. See you tomorrow!

2011 Ice out contest

2011-04-01T11:17:00.001-04:00

Originally I put up the webcam so I wouldn't get a thousand emails and phone calls asking "when will it be ice out ?". This year you can see for yourself and have a chance to win something. The contest will start on April 1, 2011 and all entries must be submitted by midnight April 25th 2011. Whoever chooses the correct day and the closest time of the ice out, WINS!

Ice Out will be determined when there is no ice visible on the webcam.

How to enter? Choose a day and time, Comment to this topic with your name and email address. The winner will receive a gift certificate for one person for a one night stay at The Chesuncook Lake House. Or a 2 night campsite for 2 people at Abol Bridge Campground, (abolcampground.com) that we purchased this past November.

Only one entry per person.

Good Luck

Trail Conditions

2011-04-01T11:15:00.001-04:00

Still great sledding here and with over a foot of new snow on the way. We'll be grooming this afternoon and tonight, so watch out if your on the trail :)

Trail Conditions

2011-03-22T11:49:00.003-04:00

Groomed last night and it looked like Ragged had groomed Sunday night. Trails looked perfect, no use since Sunday.

Received 4" of new snow last night. Lakes are flat, no slush.

Trail Report

2011-03-18T15:24:00.001-04:00

Getting the groomer warmed up and heading out. Just started snowing here, rains over. Should be a good weekend for sledding.

Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 7. North wind between 12 and 15 mph becoming light.

Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 26. Wind chill values as low as zero. North wind between 6 and 10 mph.

Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 7. North wind between 3 and 6 mph.

Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 31. Northwest wind between 3 and 9 mph.

Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 9.

Trail Report

2011-03-15T15:55:00.003-04:00

Groomed last night and it set up real nice. Looks like Ragged Riddrs had groomed the night before and thier trail looked great. The rain we had saturated the snow and made for a pretty hard trail. Broke it up and laid it back down, nice and flat. 6 deg F this morning with more cold nights on the way for the rest of the week. The rain flattened out the lakes. Slush and water froze up over the last 2 nights and lake travel is perfect.

Powder

2011-03-08T07:59:00.003-05:00

Mother nature dumped 16-20" of fresh powder up here over the last 2 days. The day of rain just before the snow put a good crust down. Be careful, 5-6 feet of snow off trail. We'll be grooming this afternoon and tonight so pay attention out there!

Trail Conditions

2011-02-27T11:41:00.003-05:00

My apologies for not updating as frequent as usual. We've been grooming every night and trails are in good shape, and I'm tired! Plenty of snow. 5'+ in some areas. The day of rain last week really helped out for off trail riding, ended up with a firm crust on the deep snow. We've had at least 8" of new snow since and more on the way tomorrow.

Lunch & Gas

2011-02-13T08:50:00.002-05:00

For all of you inquiring minds, YES we have gas and serve lunch daily. We have had lots of calls on this and sometimes we are just so busy we can't answer the phone.We serve lunch daily 10:30- 5:00 breakfast and supper is by reservation only. Gas is available also during those hours.

Trails and snow

2011-02-11T08:55:00.002-05:00

We recieved around 20" of new snow this week and packed it down on the trail last night, some areas had almost 3' of new snow. Conditions are very good on and off the trail.

With the weight of all the new snow this week and with the lake level dropping the lake ice is cracking and water is seeping up to the surface. Needless to say you'll hit pockets of slush out there on the lakes. We have over 3' of ice on the lake out front, if your fishing bring and extension.

Grooming

2011-02-04T07:38:00.003-05:00

Groomed up everything last night. 10" of fluffy snow packed down great and the trails are ready to go. Heard Ragged Groomer out making the rounds also. The Ragged trails should be a excellent as usual!

Lake riding and off trail is exceptional, flat with 10"-12" of powder. Zip up or you'll ride wet.

See ya!

2011 Snowmobile Trails to Chesuncook

2011-01-27T09:29:00.006-05:00

We have great homemade meals and gas/oil/munchies etc., available for a fantastic NORTHWOODS sledding experience.

Here it is. First of all, last years trail from North East Carry to Chesuncook is not groomed it is plowed, as of today, don't go that way.

From GREENVILLE head north to KOKADJO head NE or NW to the RAGGED LAKE TRAIL, head to the south end of Ragged Lake and the old Grant Farm. From there follow the signs, go across the Ragged Dam then up the groomed trail up the EAST SHORE of Ragged Lake. This brings you to the DEER POND TRAIL that crosses the GOLDEN ROAD. Head north on the Deer Pond Trail and head to CHESUNCOOK. FOLLOW THE SIGNS!

From QUEBEC, ROCKWOOD & JACKMAN head west on the Moosehead Trail to Pittston Farm then to the RAGGED LAKE TRAIL. Or cut across Moosehead Lake to Mt. Kineo from The Birches Resort in Rockwood. Head to the south end of Ragged Lake and the old Grant Farm. From there follow the signs, go across the Ragged Dam then up the groomed trail up the EAST SHORE of Ragged Lake. This brings you to the DEER POND TRAIL that crosses the GOLDEN ROAD. Head north on the Deer Pond Trail and head to CHESUNCOOK. FOLLOW THE SIGNS!

From MILLINOCKET/KATAHDIN area head to Abol Bridge Store (good food and gas there)IT86 then to the Black Pond Trail. 3 Options;

1. There is a trail headed north off the Black Pond Trail if you want to ride up Caribou Lake onto Chesuncook Lake up to us. Head to the south end of Ragged Lake and the old Grant Farm. From there follow the signs, go across the Ragged Dam then up the groomed trail up the EAST SHORE of Ragged Lake. This brings you to the DEER POND TRAIL that crosses the GOLDEN ROAD. Head north on the Deer Pond Trail and head to CHESUNCOOK. FOLLOW THE SIGNS!

2. ITS 86 to the intersection of 109/86 take the Black Pond Trail. Head to the south end of Ragged Lake and the old Grant Farm. From there follow the signs, go across the Ragged Dam then up the groomed trail up the EAST SHORE of Ragged Lake. This brings you to the DEER POND TRAIL that crosses the GOLDEN ROAD. Head north on the Deer Pond Trail and head to CHESUNCOOK. FOLLOW THE SIGNS!

3. ITS 86 to the Second Debcnoneag then to Rainbow Lake then to Chesuncook Pond. Follow the trail to the south end of Chesuncook Lake, up the lake 18 miles and there we are.

Trail Updates and more!

2011-01-15T17:04:00.004-05:00

Thanks to everyone that stopped in today from Jackman, Rockwood, Millinocket, Greenville, Dover Foxcroft, Kokadjo, NE Carry and more, you folks kicked off our opening day with style. It was great to see you all. And many many thanks for the area trail updates and conditions.

The consensus of all the sledders passing through here today was that it was spotty in areas, but fantastic riding. They all reported better conditions here then elsewhere, this is the heart of the Northwoods Snowbelt........starts early and ends late April! Very unusual conditions for mid January, useally cold, windy and just plain nasty. Not this year. Lake conditions are perfect on the west shore of Chesuncook, wavy and spotty on Chamberlain and the smaller lakes and ponds just flat with snow. We've been ice fishing also, and found and average of 16" of ice.

Expecting more snow tonight and the forecast looks pretty good for this week....SNOW! Maybe we can get some serious grooming in this week and get you excellent trails for for next weekend.

Here's a little read:

http://www.amsnow.com/en/News/Travel/Travel%20Articles/2010/12/Maines%20Forgotten%20Railroad.aspx

OPEN for bussiness

2011-01-14T09:29:00.003-05:00

OK, we've had several emails and phone calls inquiring if we will be open this winter. YES WE ARE! This will be our 12th winter that the Lake House will be open. That's b/c we bought it 12 years ago.

As always we will have gasoline, snacks, plugs, candy, oil, and great hot homemade meals, soups and stews.

See you soon,

David & Luisa

Weekly Ice Check

2011-01-07T15:52:00.002-05:00

For those of you that have been asking here's the weekly ice check. Mitch reports 9 inches about 20 ft off shore and 9 inches about 150 ft out. Per IFW 8 inches is enough to hold a light truck(2 1/2 tons). Fishing New Years Day was a hit, lots of salmon, no trophies but enough to be hopeful that this year will be a good year.

Thermometer

2010-12-18T08:17:00.001-05:00

The thermometer is back by popular demand. Remember it's on the south side of the Lake House and is in direct sun.

2010 SNOW!

2010-12-08T08:57:00.001-05:00

We received 26" of new snow in the last 48 hours. Add that to a good solid base of 12" and we're off to great start for this season. The ground is still unfrozen and wet spots are showing up, it's early, they'll freeze up.

Just some light grooming around the area with VKs and small drags. We need to get around, we moved out the wheeled vehicles 3 days ago.

Still snowing!

Wow, long time!

2010-12-04T09:18:00.004-05:00

Sitting here this morning with a cup of coffee watching the snow fall, and I realized I haven't updated this in months. Incredibly busy. We had a great summer and fall season. Jake got his moose last month and Zack is out today in the fresh snow on the last day of muzzle loading season, hoping to "get his dehya".

4" of snow on the ground and last night 6" more and +7" forecasted for Monday. Nice start to the winter season. The sled come out today. And if the snow stops we'll look to get the groomers running. Need to re-track the PB240, fun, fun! Each track weighs 2800#s of rubber and cleats.

More later.........

HHH, H2O

2010-07-14T08:51:00.004-04:00

After 2 weeks of Hazy, Hot, and Humid and no rain. It's nice that it's cooled off some and has been raining the last 12 hours. Very slow on the river and lake these past weeks, not as much activity as last year.

Busy with canoe shuttles and guests. Off to shuttle folks back to their vehicles at Lobster Trip.

Canoe Shuttle Service

2010-06-14T15:40:00.004-04:00

We have been operating a Canoe Shuttle service for 11 years now. I forgot to put it on the blog, sorry. If your paddling the West Branch of the Penobscot River and don't want to paddle down the Chesuncook Lake. We can shuttle you and your gear back to your vehicle at Rockwood, Roll Dam or Lobster. We even shuttle folks that are paddling the Northern Forest Canoe Trail over to Chamberlain and Allagash Lake. Just email us or click on canoeshuttle.com and fill out the info form and we'll get you a price.

Face Book

2010-06-10T15:12:00.003-04:00

It's been a while since the last post. Google had some migration issues from their old to new blogger program, and we couldn't update the blog. Anyway we're now on Face Book. I hear it's the best way to waste a lot of time.

Weather here has been fantastic. No black flies or mosquitoes, thanks to a relativity dry Spring. That, and the return of bats and purple martins. The lack of rain should ensure two hatches of partridge this year and good bird season this fall. We've seen more black bear this Spring than ever before.

Beer and Wine Available

2010-05-14T12:28:00.002-04:00

After months of "progress" we now have our beer and wine license hanging on the wall. Cold beer and great wines to go with you fantastic meals served here, bon appetit!

Homemade Meals and Soda

2010-04-26T09:42:00.004-04:00

After a busy winter many of you asked if you could stop in for supper in the summer. You sure can. Just drive in (4x4). We do ask that you call and make reservations if you'll be visiting before July 15th. After that stop in whenever. It is a different menu than the winter. If there is something special you'd like us to prepare or a special occasion, let us know in advance (Grocery Store is 2 hours away) and we'll prepare it. Or just stop in for a homemade root beer float.

Buffalo Roast, Prime Rib, Roasted Chicken, Turkey or Duck, Pork (too many ways to mention), Lamb, Seafood. With all the homemade fixings, breads, soda and desert. YUM!

FIREWOOD

2010-04-26T09:36:00.003-04:00

Last fall we purchased a firewood processor and can deliver seasoned or un-seasoned firewood to your camp located in the Maine Northwoods. Delivery is available and is included to most camps located 20 miles from our processing location. Extra per mile rate after that.

2 cord minimum for delivery. Call or email for pricing. PLEASE DO NOT TRANSPORT FIREWOOD into the nothwoods, we don't want the bugs.

Fishing Specials

2010-04-26T09:10:00.002-04:00

OK, we keep getting a lot of calls on this, so here it is. 2 people, One cabin with 3 homemade meals, One 15' aluminum boat with outboard motor (oil and gas), life jackets. 2 night minimum stay.

Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday. $225.00 per night
Thursday, Friday, Saturday. $250.00 per night. Check our "AVAILABILITY CALENDAR" for dates.

All you need to do is drive(4x4) right to our lodge with your gear and fishing tackle, we provide the rest......and relaxation! Remember, we're located at the north end of Chesuncook Lake with the West Branch of the Penobcsot just around the corner, not to mention Black Pond and Umbazooksus Stream just across the lake from us.

Official Ice Out 2010

2010-04-18T12:55:00.003-04:00

First of all, sorry for the webcam issues. For some reason our satellite feed wasn't working nor was the webcam. It's up and going again.

Odd year this year and the ice went out before the ice out entry deadline. Can't change the weather. There is still a huge portion of ice 6 miles down the lake. For our contest we go by what you can see in the webcam.

This year ice out on northern Chesuncook Lake was APRIL 13th 5:30 pm. 3-4 weeks before normal ice out earliest ever recorded. Looks like Glen Haggert gets a free night for 2 with meals at the Lake House this year, Enjoy!

"Glen Haggett said...April 13th @ 3pm"

Thanks to all that participated, we'll do it again next year. Contest entry deadline is April 1, 2011.

Ice out contest 2010

2010-03-25T10:03:00.002-04:00

It's that time of year again. Whoever comes closest to the day and time of ice out on the webcam wins. Entries end at April 15, 2010. Good luck!

Trail's End

2010-03-22T10:03:00.003-04:00

Looks like last weekend was it. Then we got 2" of snow last night and more on the way all week. Not to mention forecast nigh-time temps in the single digits. We'll see.

Trails are pretty much done and just lake riding, even the lake riding is in question. Be careful out there.

Trails

2010-03-16T04:45:00.002-04:00

Groomed from the intersection of Maxfield and Loop Rd trail to the end of the Salmon Pond trail last night. Should be good riding today, lakes are still flat with plenty of snow.

Still snow and grooming

2010-03-15T09:09:00.004-04:00

Groomed the Maxfield Brook Trail north off the Ragged Lake Trail last night. Still plenty of snow. There were a few holes in the trail, not any more! Groomed to the Golden Road and will groom the Salmon Pond Trail tonight.

Temps still in the low 20s at night. Sledders coming from Greenville and Rockwood yesterday reported a good ride, not much traffic. Conditions west and north of here are excellent. We'll be riding those areas this week.

Sunny days and cold nights, Spring Riding at it's best!

Still grooming and good weather

2010-03-10T18:24:00.003-05:00

No rain in our NOAA forecast below. Repaired some bare spots today. Ragged is out tonight grooming and groomed last night. We cleaned up the connector trails to the trains. And we'll be grooming everything Thursday night. Rode our trails today and they are in good shape. Lakes are flat and 3 feet of ice. Night temps have been in the single digits. Looks like 2 more weeks of sledding here and north.

If the trails start falling apart south of us you can always trailer to our plowed out parking lot at the Pine Stream Rd and Golden Road and take the Salmon Pond Trail north up to the best riding in the state!

Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 18. North wind around 6 mph becoming calm.

Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 44. Calm wind.

Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 24. Calm wind becoming north around 5 mph.

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 43. Northeast wind around 6 mph.

Friday Night: Clear, with a low around 26. Light east wind.

Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 46.

Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 28.

Sunday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 47.

Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 31.

Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 45.

Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 28.

Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 44.

Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 27.

Great Riding!

2010-03-08T10:45:00.004-05:00

Trails are all groomed and ready to ride. We suggest using the NEW Maxfild Brook Trail headed north from the Ragged Lake Trail. This will avoid any brown trails. Follow the signs to Chesuncook. Fantastic weather, mid 30's during the days and teens at night. The latest forecast calls for nice weather this week into the weekend.

http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?site=CAR&llon=-69.912083&rlon=-68.852083&tlat=46.077917&blat=45.020417&smap=1&mp=0&map.x=113&map.y=6

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pz-avxyQ-HQ

Chesuncook Trail System Map

2010-03-04T09:38:00.002-05:00

Chesuncook Trail System
Our current trail system is from Pittston Farm Seboomook Trail to Little Lobster Lake. Or from the Millinocket and Kokadjo take the Ragged Lake Trail to the NEW Maxfield Brook Trail and head north to Little Lobster then continue north to the Salmon Pond Trail then your here. It's all signed and groomed. ENJOY, and ride safe!

Google Earth Link:

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=106507245598943280745.000462fc3d6ecd804b03f&t=h&z=10

Thank You Peter

2010-03-04T09:28:00.000-05:00

Good evening. I can not tell you what a pleasure it was for me and my snowmobile buddies to visit your wonderful Inn on Chesuncook Lake. From the young man that provided fuel for our sleds to the waitress who took our order for a lunch. The food was great, the Root beer tasty but most of all it was the hospitality of you and your children. I wish you the best of success and the best of good health and look forward to coming back for another wonderful experience next year. By the way this is from the Peter one of the snowmobiles that our friends called you about last evening when we showed up late. Thank you for your concern. We enjoyed the trains. God Bless Peter K.

Peter Z. Kupczak
84 Jaffee Terrace
Colchester CT 06415

Trail Conditions

2010-03-04T08:15:00.003-05:00

Trails are all groomed last night after 5 hours of welding repairs on the groomer's tracks, we where up and running.....Ah, crawling! Plenty of snow and with the low nigh time temps the trails are setting up good. Off trail riding is as good as is gets. When snowed last week is was wet and heavy, now off trail has 2-3" of hard pack with 2'+ of snow under. We'll be grooming up the small connector trails to the Trains this afternoon.

Ragged Riders and the Chesuncook Snowmobile Club opened a new trail yesterday from the Ragged Lake Trail to Little Lobster. Nice Ride, great views of Spencer Mt. headed south and Lobster Lake headed north. THANKS TO THE LANDOWNER WE HAVE THIS TRAIL TO USE AND ENJOY! The trail is 10 miles long and winds through some beautiful country. It is signed and groomed so have fun!

Trail Conditions

2010-02-28T18:46:00.002-05:00

We ended up with 12" of heavy wet snow and another 2" today. Everything is groomed up and in great shape, judging by all the smiles on the trail, folks where having a good ride. The Lobster Trip trail was plowed up again and we spent 3 hours putting the trail back down on a groom that should have taken an hour or less.

We are hooking up with the Pittston Farm Groomer at the north end of NE Carry Road and the Burbank Road on the Moosehead Loop. We are grooming the side of the Lobster Trip Road with the Land Mangers permission. Be careful, it's a multi-use trail and there are vehicles on sharing the road.

We need to hear from you, start typing and tell us how the trails are. Off to do the Salmon Trail, just rode and it's washboard.....sorry just groomed it yesterday afternoon. Temps dropped below 30F, so where good to groom.

Snow!

2010-02-26T08:25:00.003-05:00

Plenty of snow this morning. Temps holding below 30F should bring more snow throughout the day. 6" of new snow since sunrise and 4" yesterday.

We'll be grooming late today and all night. So will all the other clubs in the Northwoods Trail system. Logging in some areas finished up weeks ago and we've been waiting for a significant snow to groom the trails. Pay attention, with 16-20" of new snow things will look a little different this weekend.

YES MORE SNOW!!!!!!!!

2010-02-21T21:04:00.003-05:00

Just got dumped with another 8 inches today! We've been grooming all day and the trails are PERFECT!!!! Groomed from Northeast Carry, Lobster Trip Road trail, Loop Road trail, Little Lobster trail, Poulin Road trail, and up to the Salmon Pond trail (that will be done late tomorrow). We also groomed up to Mud Pond including all the connector trails and a newly opened trail which avoids Mud Pond Carry.

Snow!

2010-02-21T08:29:00.002-05:00

You know it's been a dry winter when 2", now 3" of new snow is something to write about. We've been getting an inch a night for the the past 3 nights and this morning finally some measurable snow.

Better late than never. Think snow!

Trails

2010-02-18T16:28:00.002-05:00

The Lobster Trip Road trail is pretty bony due to no new snow. If your coming up you can take the Black Pond Trail around Female Mt. then head north a few miles (it's signed) to the Greenville Road over the Golden Rd then onto Caribou Lake then head up the lake we'll be here.

Also, you can trailer to our parking lot at mile 1 on the Pine Stream Road and take the Salmon Pond Trail up and ride our trails over to the trains on Eagle or up to Caucomogomauc Dam Loop.

Off to Groom!

Snow, trails and Lake Ice

2010-02-12T09:13:00.004-05:00

We're still holding onto plenty of snow, 12"+ off trail. If you get stuck off trail in these conditions you better pray no one has a camera. The off trail and lake ice is riding incredible. The lakes are flat with enough snow for traction and cooling. Our trails where all groomed Wednesday and Thursday and are in excellent condition.

When you get into the North Woods snow-belt (north of the Golden Road) you'll get into good snow. If your headed up on our Chesuncook trail from NE Carry, it's worth a couple of bony stretches to get up here. When your North of the Logging Camps your golden.

Trail re-route from Lobster Trip Road to Loop Road, pay attention! This trail brings you down and around the Logging Camps. Those folks at the camps have been very accommodating letting us run trough the middle of their operation while cutting/hauling was taking place on the Loop Road. Thank You very much Mr. Crawford!

This is looking like a VERY SHORT SEASON, don't let it pass you by. You already registered your sled. Trailer it up to the south end of the Lake, or to our trail head at the Pine Stream and Golden Road. Plenty of plowed out parking.

SEE YA!

Trails and Snow

2010-02-08T07:39:00.005-05:00

For all of you who stayed home this weekend, you missed out on some great riding and good weather.

*****WE HAVE SNOW HERE****

Just around 18" off trail and a good 10" on trail. There is plenty of snow on the lakes too, and the lakes are flat as a pancake. 2-3" of new snow yesterday and a couple more expected today.

See you on the trail!

Fresh Fish

2010-02-08T07:30:00.004-05:00

Zack caught this one yesterday at dusk....goes with cusk I guess. Fishing has been pretty good here. Plenty of action, no trophies yet. This one filleted and chunk-ed up, then deep fried, will taste just like scallops if not better.

Groomed Trails

2010-02-05T18:06:00.002-05:00

They're all groomed! Just finished Salmon Trail to NE Carry Trail. Pulled back snow that was plowed off the trail on the Lobster Trip Road and made a good 10' wide trail on the roadside. It's not perfect, but it will keep you running cool. in the snow.

The trails going to the trains north of here have been re-routed also. No more Mud Pond Carry "Jet Skiing". You'll have a dry butt now!

Ride Safe.........Enjoy!

Salmon Trail

2010-02-05T07:59:00.003-05:00

New Salmon Trail is in a word, "WOW" and that's not just me. The first group I encountered yesterday morning while I was putting up signs and cutting alders. Stopped and said "WOW that's the real deal"! So, the 15 mile re-rote is a success, and folks coming in all day loved it too.

Here is the trail in a nutshell:

Cross the Golden Road at the Poulin Trail onto the Pine Stream Road, stay left where it's groomed for a 1/4 mile and then take a left onto the new Salmon Trail. 10 miles in you'll go through an old groomed rabbit trail onto the bank of the West Branch then head east 4 miles (caution!! spectacular views of Mt Katahdin) to the village or off to the trains on Chamberlain.

Or you can get there and just follow the signs.

On the Poulin Trail be sure to check out the new "Katadin Lookout". You'll see the whole Katahdin mountain range. Spectacular!

New Trail

2010-02-04T08:30:00.003-05:00

New trail to Chesuncook Village. From the south (Golden Road) take the Salmon Pond Road north, Just groomed it last night. At the end of the trail take the connector trail to the West Branch head west 4 miles on the lake, and your here. OR just follow the signs. Awsome ride, great views!

You can still ride the Pine Stream Road to here, it's plowed, and is now a Mixed Use Road. The trucks have the ROW (right of way). Go slow and be alert and ride the right side of the road.

Ice cutting

2010-01-25T08:26:00.003-05:00

We put up 83 cakes of ice on Friday. Each cake was 15" x 15" x 30" and weighed around 150 pounds each. Not bad for our first annual ice cutting event. We planned on two days, but had it done in one.

We'll see in the summer how well we really did!

Trail Conditions

2010-01-25T08:17:00.003-05:00

The trail from here to NE Carry is in very good shape considering the traffic it's been getting. Groomed parts of it yesterday, cleaned up turns/curves, and put some signs back up that a moose decided to dine on. Packed powder until today. Temperature is hovering around 30F and a light drizzle. Hopefully we don't see too much rain.

The Lobster Trip road is plowed, but there is plenty of snow on the sides of the road. Groomed a 4' wide trail on each shoulder of the road. As soon as they are done hauling wood, we"ll widen the size of the trail.

Ice Harvest 2010

2010-01-21T12:26:00.003-05:00

If you follow the webcam you've noticed us snow blowing the lake. It's not for ice skating, it's for ice cutting. We will be putting up ice for next summer in our ice house in the barn. So in August when it's 85F we can enjoy some of our homemade root beer with ice out of the lake.

Over the last 2 weeks we've been keeping an eye on the ice, drilling, and cutting it up. Right now it's the right thickness and ready to cut. It's 15" thick now and the ice cakes will be 15"x 15"x30" when finished. We'll need around 100 cakes to fill the ice house.

So keep watching, we'll take photos and post some video to youtube. The first annual Chesuncook Lake Ice Harvest begins!

Chesuncook to Caucomgomoc Dam

2010-01-17T08:39:00.001-05:00

More trails, 28.25 miles round trip

Chesuncook Village to the Trains & Tramway

2010-01-16T10:42:00.004-05:00

From here to there. 22 miles each way.

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=106507245598943280745.00047d4952ea997ed4a0f&ll=46.193616,-69.374542&spn=0.296595,0.727158&t=h&z=11

NE Carry to Chesuncook Village Trail

2010-01-14T08:51:00.006-05:00

It's official. The trail from NE Carry to Chesuncook Village is 24.5 miles and for the most part is groomed. Parts of the trail are on plowed roads for the next 3-4 weeks. We will be grooming the south side of those roads while the loggers are working in the area.

TRUCKS/VEHICLES AND EQUIPMENT HAVE THE RIGHT OF WAY! SNOWMOBILES 15 MPH IN THESE AREAS.

Here is a description of the trail:

From the Moosehead Loop just 1 mile SE of Raymond's Store North East Carry the trail heads
1. East on the HALFWAY BROOK RD.
2. North on the BURBANK/#1 RD.
3. West on the LOBSTER TRIP RD to the POULIN RD.
4. West on the POULIN RD across the GOLDEN RD.
5. North on the PINE STREAM ROAD to Chesuncook Village.

We will be grooming and signing this trail today and tomorrow. The Landowner has given us permission to use these roads while they are logging. THEY HAVE THE R.O.W. Stay on the marked trail and keep alert and travel no faster than 15mph in these areas of multiple use.

Sunny and crisp

2010-01-14T08:05:00.003-05:00

-14F this morning. The house was cracking when the sun hit it. With no wind every time the sun shines on a building,and south side of trees you hear them crack and expand from the heat after a bitter cold night. Not a cloud in the sky last night and stars where bright and just about on the ground.

The lake ice is around 14" and looks like there are number of cracks this morning not to mention a pressure ridge that is different this year, there is one right in the middle of the lake running north - south. Generally the pressure ridge out front runs east- west. If you look at the web cam you'll see steam rising from the lake in some spots. That's where the ice has cracked and water comes to the surface, and with these low tempurtures it appears as steam.

Trail grooming begins.

2010-01-06T08:34:00.002-05:00

Groomed from the Lake House to the Golden Road yesterday. Great run. The trail setup perfect from the packing down we did last week, without the drag. Some place had 3-4' of snow, you don't realize it until you get off trail. We were putting trail signs up and wished we had packed some snow shoes, "didn't look that deep"!

Weather, trails, fishing

2010-01-03T09:15:00.003-05:00

Didn't get the wallop of snow that was forecasted, but we did pick up 8-10' of fluff and now it sleeting. That crust of sleet is keeping the snow in place, if not the 10-20 mph wind would be blowing everywhere. This brings our total of snow on the ground to around 18" deep, with drifts up to 3' deep.

Should be able to groom in the next day or two. Fishing has been slow, we'll try it again today. Ice thickness is 10-12" good clear ice.

SNOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2009-12-23T10:58:00.005-05:00

Last night we got 10-12 inches of new snow with more falling every minute! The groomer just went out to get a jump start on the trails and will most likely be out all day and the trails are already shaping up for what looks to be an awesome season for riding. We would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Years! We look forward to seeing all of you this winter!

Cold

2009-12-17T08:00:00.001-05:00

-11F this morning. Crisp and cold. The lake is still open a mile or so down the lake and a cold fog hangs over the water there. Still brushing out snowmobile trails. We have 10 -12" of snow everywhere.

Groomers Ready!

2009-11-18T08:21:00.004-05:00

Took the groomers out last week, yes that's plural. We bought a 1998? Pisten Bully PB240 over the summer. Both machines are in great working order and are cleaned up and ready to go. The older PB170 will be our back-up groomer. You need a secondary and tertiary back-up on just about everything up here to play it safe.

This years trails are forever changing, just got word that the State may or may not be cutting around the village........again, maybe, not sure. So that means re-routing 2-3 miles of trail, fun fun!

Beautiful crisp Fall day, 26F and a hard frost on everything.

webcam

2009-11-16T18:36:00.000-05:00

Greetings Surprenant Family

After viewing your web cam almost everyday for months, I decided I should write and thank you for providing such a great web cam. Your web cam is the best quality I have seen, and I am just tickled that I can be sitting here in Haverhill Mass. go online and see real time quality images of Humming birds and the mighty Mt. Katadin way up in the great North woods... Wow !!!! Now let me reward you with a poem from some Journals I purchased many years ago written by George S. Bliss in 1925 during a fishing Trip to Daicey Pond ( Yorks Twin Pine camps ). I hope you enjoy.

My Host is old Katahdin
He Doffs his cap of cloud
To pledge the royal bounty
He give his heart a-vowed.

Thrice welcome to the Mountain
Thrice welcome to the glen !
By rod and pack and paddle,
The woods are your again !
Again my winds shall call you,
My trails shall tempt your feet,
I'll pour you laughing water
And berries cool and sweet.
In shack or rocky shelter
Where you may chose to house,
Your couch shall be of bracken,
Your bed of balsam boughs.
And when the mood shall move you
To cast the feathered lures,
Katahdin brook, my darling,
And forty ponds are yours !
There's Windypitch and Grassey,
There's lilypad and lost,
The deer shall stand before you,
The Dappled fawns shall play,
While overhead shall banter
The squirrel and the jay.
And peace shall be your comrad
on every bowered quest;
And through my darkening tree tops
The stars shall watch your rest,
Above the seaward rivers,
Above the highland plain,
My host is old Katahdin
Among the pines of Maine.

( George S. Bliss )
( From the York's Journal 1925 )
Thanks again
From Charlie LeBlanc
Haverhill Massachusetts.

2009 Sea-Plane Fly In

2009-09-09T13:13:00.004-04:00

Looks like this years Greenville fly in will have almost perfect weather. We'd like to go down to Greenville and see all the planes, but it seems a lot of them are flying here for lunch and to pick up a card in the Poker Run.

We'll do our best to get some photos of all the planes to share with you.

Summer....finally & Winter

2009-08-15T07:37:00.004-04:00

Well it's here HHH well maybe not a humid as on the coast, but humid never the less. The buffalo are in the woods on hot days. They graze at night an early morning while the grass is still soaked with dew.

Hard to think about snow when it in the mid 80s +. I went out yesterday to map out the snowmobile trails that we will be grooming this year. The landowners and state need the paperwork soon, and advertising deadlines for winter are fast approaching. There is plenty of brushing out to do this fall. The summer rains have made things grow at an alarming rate. You can hardly tell we brushed it out last year in some spots.

Sunny and Clear

2009-07-09T10:22:00.003-04:00

This is a worthy event to write about. The first sunny day in over a month. No more cutting the grass in the rain. After a dry Spring the last 30+ days certainly made up for it. We had a cool crisp 45 deg this morning.

The weather has slowed down the steady stream of canoes and kayaks doing the West Branch of the Penobscot River. Hopefully the good weather holds.

We've been busy with guests and doing canoe shuttles back to Lobster Trip for folks that don't want to paddle the lake. Our store is open and full of homemade goodies. Luisa has added homemade cheese to the long list of items, ie, fresh eggs, bread, ice cream, root beer, cream, sarsaparilla, cherry and old fashioned cola sodas, just to name a few. This winter she tried her hand at making soap and it came out real good. Campers will want the soap made with citronella oil, keeps the mosquitos away.

If your in the area stop in. You can get here by boat, floatplane, and NOW 4 WHEEL DRIVE TRUCK. We are always here. If you have groups larger than 6 please call ahead for Lunch and dinner reservations. 745-5330. Or just sit on the porch and have a root beer, and take in the view.

See ya

Hummingbirdcam

2009-06-01T10:31:00.002-04:00

Check out the webcam. Yesterday I counted 16 thirsty birds fighting over one feeder. We put out 5 feeders and this is just one them.

Enjoy!

Summer???

2009-05-21T10:30:00.002-04:00

What a difference a day makes. Frost the other night and 79 degrees now, good thing we have a breeze. Official first day of Summer is a month away.

webcam

2009-05-21T10:28:00.000-04:00

Sure like the new position of your cam on Chesuncook. Great view...Thanks, Dave

Spring 2009

2009-05-19T08:08:00.003-04:00

We've had a dry Spring so far, or at least it seems that way. This time of year there are usually little brooks everywhere running down to the lake. Most have dried up. We had a low of 30 deg last night and had to cover the garden with hay, just planted the cold crops last week. Should have one more frost in June during the full moon.

Fishing been pretty good. Good activity on the lake and the brooks and streams have been good also. No real big fish, just good fun! Black flies are starting, (Mother's day to Father's day) but the cold nights and cool days have kept them down. The lake level is a little below normal for this time of year. It's about 2-3' below FULL. Not as much lake activity this year, just a handful of boats trolling for salmon.

Had the first couple of visitors to village this past weekend since early April. And there are two new summer residents that arrived kicking and screaming and making a big fuss over nothing. I understand that they'll be staying here right into late November. They settled into their new place last week. Rested from their long journey from Ohio, they are now out and about, laying around all day, getting some sun, eating drinking and having a great time. They're suffering from their first sunburns right now. Bacon & Ham are about 2 months old and 40-50 pounds each, and should be around 200 pounds by late November, when summer vacation is over.

Official ICE OUT 2009

2009-04-27T11:40:00.003-04:00

Looks like Sunday morning April 26, 2009 is the official ice out here. The wind was out of the north yesterday at 15-20mph. Today it is out of the south at 10mph. NO ICE, still snow in the woods though.
Looks like Paul Therrien is the closest with his guess of "Ice out will be on 4/28/09 at 2:30 pm." wins. This is the earliest that we've seen it in 10 years since we moved here. On April 27, 2007 I took my last ride down the lake on a sled, ice went out May 3, 2007. You'd need a boat this year.

Thanks to everyone that participated. We'll do it again in the fall for"ICE IN".

Last of the snow

2009-04-16T08:49:00.002-04:00

Well, as you can see on the webcam the snow is gone from the lawn. Still 2-3' of snow in the woods and the trail is still holding up for the most part. We put the sleds away till November and are on atv's for a the next 3-4 weeks till the ice is off the lake. Then we can travel the 17 miles of lake by boat.....easy going that way. We can get to town in 1 1/2 hours instead of the 2 1/2 to 3 hours that it takes by road. Make sure you enter the Ice out contest....it's free!

ICE OUT CONTEST clarification

2009-04-02T09:56:00.003-04:00

I've received several emails to why we need an ice out time. The reason for the "time" is when there are more than several entries for the same day. A day and time narrows it down to only one winner. We'd like to give out several prizes, but we also like to stay in business. No bailouts here. Hope that clears it up.

Tell your friends, and email them to enter also.

2009 ICE OUT CONTEST

2009-03-29T14:38:00.002-04:00

Originally I put up the webcam so I wouldn't get a thousand emails and phone calls asking "when will it be ice out ?". This year you can see for yourself and have a chance to win something. The contest will start on April 1, 2009 and all entries must be submitted by midnight April 25th 2009. Whoever chooses the correct day and the closest time of the ice out, WINS!

Ice Out will be determined when there is no ice visible on the webcam.

How to enter? Choose a day and time, Comment to this topic with your name and email address. The winner will receive a gift certificate for 2 for a one night stay at The Chesuncook Lake House.

Only one entry per person.

Good Luck

Trail report PLUS

2009-03-29T14:02:00.002-04:00

This looks like the last week of snowmobiling, and trail reports. The trails are getting bare spots here and there. Should hold another week or two.

Thanks to everyone that visited this winter. We enjoyed seeing everyone and hope to see you again soon. We really appreciate your business.

David & Luisa

Trail Report

2009-03-27T13:20:00.003-04:00

Partly SUNNY and in the 50's foretasted for tomorrow's weather.

We received 2" of snow overnight and everyone who stopped in today and yesterday said the trails are great. The Golden Road to mile 3 on the Pine Stream Road is bare so try to avoid it. Plenty of parking right at mile 3 if you want to trailer up.

The Ragged trail to Deer Pond Road Trail to here is fantastic. Then headed north and west of here is great Spring riding.

Look forward to seeing everyone again this weekend, Ride Safe!

Snowmobile Trail conditions.

2009-03-24T08:45:00.004-04:00

Trails are in excellent shape with the warm days and cold nights, their really holding up. Not to mention that Ragged, Jo-Mary, and Ourselves (Suncook Sledders) have been, and still are grooming, and will for another week or more if the weather holds. Lakes are flat and granular. Stay off them till 11:00 am till the surface softens up some. We had several sleds overheat last week and a couple with melted sliders fused right to the track.

Look forward to seeing everyone again this weekend. Ride safe and often....two more weeks! Shawn, swing by for Spring fishing spots. We'll go over some favorite places on the lake.

Webcam

2009-03-24T08:23:00.002-04:00

I know the picture is SUPER SIZED! I'll work on it this afternoon. Have chores to do now. At least the camera is working again. Duct tape and sheet rock screws hold the world together. And I used a mile of tape and tons of screws on this one.

Windy day out there, 20F. It feels like November all over again.

2009-03-21T10:00:00.002-04:00

Village photos

Some pictures from yesterday's ride.

This is truly an Arctic Cat, and resident seat warmer.

Photos again!

2009-03-21T09:53:00.001-04:00

Let's try that one more time.

Photos

2009-03-20T14:21:00.003-04:00

Since the webcam is down I figured I do the photos the old fashioned way. Went out and took some while grooming and here and there. Enjoy!

Webcam

2009-03-18T13:09:00.001-04:00

Sorry the webcam is down. The laptop it utilizes crashed this morning and I'm trying to get it up and running again. Wish I could just gon to the store and buy a new one, But the sytore is 3 hours away. Stay tuned!

Pictures from this afternoon

2009-03-15T19:09:00.001-04:00

By plane or sled. We'll be here for you.

Thanks to everyone stopping by this weekend.

And to our firend that took these photos. You made it happen in the Maine's North WOODS!

Anyone else that wants to send us some trail pictures? We'll be happy to post them. Just send us an email.

Zoom Webcam

2009-03-14T10:38:00.001-04:00

Subject: How bout some closeup shots of the mountains for the web cam?

HI Web cam folks:

How bout some closeup shots of the mountains for the web cam for a while?

Especially on a nice clear day.

I love the sunrises!

Looking forward to summer sunsets.

Regards,

George Williamson

Should be clear this afternoon, once it warms up. I'll zoom it then

Blustery Cold

2009-03-12T08:40:00.002-04:00

Had a front move through early this morning, felt like the house was going to with it. Still very windy NNW 30 mph+, +6F and sunny. Big change from yesterday's +44F. Looks like more good weather on the way for this weekend, sunny and 30's.

Stop by and say hi. Trails are in fantastic shape, groomed yesterday morning, and will finish tonight. The lakes are flat as a board with this last round of warm weather. Ride Safe!

Weather Plus!

2009-03-10T08:57:00.003-04:00

A beautiful crisp day +13F, sunny and warm in the sun. Outside I can hear a woods crew cutting north of us towards Brandy Pond. Probably 15-20 miles away, I can hear them clear as a bell. They work 4:00am to 4:00pm, Monday-Thursday, 12 hour days. They'll go home Thursday afternoon and head back to the woods Sunday afternoon. Because of the warmer days they'll soon be restricted to only hauling their loads to the mills at night for the next 4-6 weeks then no hauling at all till June. So, they're working hard to make a living while they can. Tuff, hard working men. Mainer's work ethic is alive and well with these guys.

Fishing Report

2009-03-10T08:48:00.003-04:00

Not much to report, over 25 fisherman this past weekend, 2 days fishing with not much action. One group has been coming up for 30+ years and said it was very slow all week. Couple of 20-24" catches, mostly shorts. I guess that's why it's called fishing and not catching. I believe everyone had a great time anyway, it's about the people and not the fish, and we had some great people here last week and weekend. Lot of fun.

E10 strikes again

2009-03-10T08:22:00.002-04:00

Lost 2 more sleds yesterday. I agree with Cindy, can't wait to get those lawnmowers, ATVs, outboards, etc. running in the Spring. Maybe we'll be eligible for a bailout?

Snowsleds & E10

2009-03-08T18:32:00.007-04:00

OK now, we lost a total of 4 sleds this weekend, burnt......no compression in one cylinder.........Hmmm! E10 perhaps? These are sleds (and owners) that have been coming here for many years. We've seen more sleds crap out this year then ever before. Doesn't add up. Well is does, one thing that has changed is the gasoline with ethonal added. Alcohol/Ethanol, mixes with water/moisture. Oil and water don't mix. Oh you say you don't snowsled, wait till you toast a cylider in your Subaru + your catalytic converter. It'll set you back $3000-$8000, to get it fixed.