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District Overseer Reports

 

Katahdin

KATAHDIN DISTRICT

Overseer - Rick SteCroix

(The Katahdin District extends from the Jo-Mary Haul Road to the Summit of Katahdin.
It consists of 55.7 miles of the Appalachian Trail and 2.6 miles of side trails.)

Katahdin District - 2009 Annual Report
October 1, 2008 to September 30, 2009

Volunteers

The Katahdin District consists of 55.7 miles of the A.T. and 4.0 miles of side trails. A total of 60 individuals worked 908 hours on the trails and campsites this year. They traveled 664 hours to get to their respective work sites. This comes to a total of 1,572 hours of volunteer work in the Katahdin District. There are 10 trail section assignments in the Katahdin District, the longest being 11.3 miles, the shortest is 3.5 miles and the average is 5.8 miles. The maintainers made 15 work trips this year.

  • 1 maintainer made 0 work trips
  • 6 maintainers made 1 work trip
  • 2 maintainers made 2 work trips
  • 1 maintainer made 5 work trips

Trail Work

We had a very wet spring with high water runoff from the snowmelt. Work trips were done in  May and early June to prepare the A.T. for the hiking season. The wet weather also lasted through June and July. The usual trail work of clearing blowdowns and clipping back brush and branches from the footpath were done. Painting white blazes on the A.T. and blue blazes on side trails were done where needed. Cleaning waterbars and drainage ditches were also done. Some bog bridges were replaced, a few waterbars were built, some step stones were added to muddy areas of the trail. Most trail signs are in good shape. Old signs were replaced at the following areas: Rainbow Mt. side trail, Pollywog Stream Bridge (2 signs), Pollywog Gorge Viewpoint, Nesuntabunt Mt. summit, Wadleigh Stream Leanto, South End of Nahmakanta Lake. The sign at the top of Katahdin was replaced in July. Beaver activity continues at the Elbow Pond outlet bridge in Baxter State Park. New beaver activity is occurring a few feet from the trail in the area of Rainbow Stream between the North and South Deadwaters.  The Maine Trail Crew worked 1 week in June installing rock steps and waterbars on Nesuntabunt Mt. another week in June installing step stones and drainage on the trail near Rainbow Lake. The crew also worked 3 weeks in July, on the Hunt Trail (A.T.) in Baxter State Park building rock steps and waterbars.  The Baxter State Park Trail Crew also worked 2 weeks in September, quarrying rock and building rock steps on the Hunt Trail (A.T.) north of Katahdin Stream Falls. The new Grassy Pond Trail in Baxter State Park, was walked in May by several MATC officers and trail maintainers, as a relocation for the A.T. This new trail was approved by the MATC Executive Committee, at their September meeting.

Campsites

All 7 campsites received regular maintenance by the maintainers this season. The only major project was building a new privy at Antlers’ Campsite that replaces Fort Relief.  The leantos at Hurd Brook, Rainbow Stream, Wadleigh Stream and Potaywadjo Spring are all in good shape as are the tent sites at Rainbow Spring, Nahmakanta Stream and Antlers’ Campsites. Trash was picked up, firepits cleaned of ashes and unburnable trash. Abandoned clothes, gear, food and books left behind by inconsiderate hikers was also carried out and disposed. All campsite signs showing directions to water sources, privies and tent sites are in good shape. The moldering privy at Hurd Brook Leanto, built in September, 2000, is doing well. The moldering privy at Rainbow Stream Leanto, built in June, 2001, is also doing well. The 5 pit privies at the other campsites are in fair to good shape. Various bootleg campsites continue to be used along the trail and the maintainers continue to clean up trash that is left behind and to break up the illegal fire rings.

A.T. Corridor

Boats and canoes continue to be stored in the corridor at the following sites: Big Beaver Pond, Rainbow Lake Dam, Rainbow Deadwaters and Crescent Pond. The area in the vicinity of Rainbow Lake Dam has many fishermen’s campsites. About 24.5 miles of the A.T. is on National Park Service Land from the JoMary Road to Murphy Brook. About 15 miles of the A.T. is on land owned by The Nature Conservancy from Murphy Brook to the Golden Road. About 1 mile of the A.T. is a road walk on the Golden Road owned by the Katahdin Paper Company. The balance of the A.T., about 14.5 miles, is in Baxter State Park, from Abol Stream to Baxter Peak, Katahdin.

Abol Ridge Runner

This was the 8th year of the Abol Ridge Runner program. David Terasevich was the Abol Ridge Runner and he worked from early July to the middle of October and did an excellent job. Some of the duties were to meet A.T. hikers that were heading to Baxter State Park to finish their thru hike and to inform them of the rules and regulations of Baxter State Park. Some of which are camping fees, camping restrictions, no pets allowed and Class Day rules of trails on Katahdin. Dave patrolled about 8 miles of the A.T. from Rainbow Ledges to Katahdin Stream. The ridge runner program is made possible with the cooperation of the National Park Service A.T. Office, Baxter State Park, the Appalachian Trail Conservancy and the Maine A.T. Club.

would like to thank everyone that volunteered their time and effort in the Katahdin District. Your work is very important in maintaining and protection the A.T. in Maine. Thank you. - Submitted 1/13/10

Rick Ste.Croix
Overseer, Katahdin District
E-mail: ricknrachel@localnet.com

 

Looking at Barren Moountain from Borestone - Winter 2010
Photo by Julian Wiggins

 

WHITECAP DISTRICT

Overseer Julian Wiggins
Assistant Overseer: Bruce Grant

(The Whitecap District extends from Maine Highway 15 to the Jo-Mary Haul Road.)

Whitecap District - 2008 Annual Report
October 1, 2007 to September 30, 2008

My thanks go out once again for another good year in the Whitecap District.  We had help from at least 80 volunteers this season not including those volunteers that joined the Maine Trail Crew to work on their many projects in the district.  I would like to extend my thanks once again to all the members and volunteers of the Maine Trail Crew who worked so hard in the Whitecap District.  The trail crew put in 21 weeks of work in the Whitecap District last year.  This year they made another fantastic effort and put in 22 weeks of work.  Much of this year’s work focused on the usual suspects of Gulf Hagas Mountain and the north slope of Whitecap Mountain.  Additionally this year the crew returned to Gulf Hagas to deal with some safety issues on the rim trail.
           

I would like to welcome some new maintainers to the district.  Martin Wallace of Old Town has agreed to help Frank Wihbey with his section that spans from the summit of West Peak to the summit of Gulf Hagas Mtn.  Carey Kish of Bowdoin, ME has agreed to take over Doug Dunlap’s old section.  He will be maintaining from Little Wilson Falls to Leeman Brook Lean-to.  Geoff Shadman has taken over Bob Payne’s old section that starts at Route 15 and ends at Leeman Brook Lean-to. I would also like to recognize Michelle and Stan Moody who have taken on the maintenance of the Route 15 parking lot.  They have not only done an excellent job with their maintenance assignment but have been very active in helping out other maintainers in the neighborhood as well.
           

I am fortunate in the Whitecap district to have such hardworking volunteers that all deserve a great deal of praise.  I must however single out a few individuals for additional thanks.   Charlie Reitze, of Millinocket, took on his first maintenance assignment last year and has put in a huge amount of work this last summer.  He not only spent many days working on his own section but also volunteered with the trail crew and helped out other maintainers who requested help.  Janice Clain once again put a great deal of energy into not only supervising our Gulf Hagas ridge runner David Terasevich, but also volunteered with the trail crew, assisting Sid Quarrier with his section, performed her duties as club secretary, and took on a corridor monitoring section.  Ron Dobra also deserves additional thanks for not only putting in a considerable amount of work on his own section but also volunteering with the trail crew once again this year.  Finally I would like to recognize and thank Jim Dow of Brunswick who finally retired from trail maintenance at the end of this season after 27 years spent on various sections on Whitecap mountain and nearby ridges.

            Requests for help in the 2009 trail season include:

  • Sidney Tappan tent site needs a new sign directing hikers to the spring
  • Suggestions were made for creating a second official tent site with a sanctioned fire ring for the Sidney Tappan site.
  • The lower section of the White Brook Trail needs to be rerouted away from the old firewarden’s trail to a new location
  • A new sign is needed for the summit of 3rd mtn. and for West Chairback Pond
  • A boggy area between 3rd and 4th mtn requires bog bridging
  • The Chairback Gap bog crossing needs to be hardened
  • Long Pond Stream Lean-to privy requires new steps
  • Bog bridging between Fourth Mountain and Barren Mountain requires replacement
  • Construction of bog bridging is needed in the area between North Pond Tote Rd. and Mud Pond
  • Eventual replacement of Chairback Gap Lean-to & Leeman Brook Lean-to
  • Request for additional free beer for maintainers.  Apparently there is a shortage at the southern end of the district.
  • New signage is required at the Leeman Brook Lean-to.  The distance to the Wilson Valley Lean-to needs to be included.

            Watch for requests for volunteers to work on these projects during the 2009 season.  Good luck in 2009! 
   ––– Julian Wiggins - Submitted 1/21/09

 MAINTAINER OPENINGS: 1st: Summit of Whitecap Mtn. to Jct. of White Brook Side Trail and the White Brook Side Trail.  This section incorporates 1.1 miles of trail.  The White Brook Trail climbs steeply at times from an old logging yard, past the site of a former fire warden’s hut to join the Appalachian Trail between Hay Mountain and the summit of Whitecap.  Access to this section is difficult and involves driving over many miles of rough roads.  A person should only consider taking on this maintenance assignment if they have access to a four-wheel drive vehicle with good ground clearance. 

2nd:  White Brook Side Trail to the Summit of West Peak.  This section maintains a high elevation as it runs westward along the Whitecap ridgeline for 2.2 miles.  The easiest access to this section is provided by the White Brook Trail. Access to this section is difficult and involves driving over many miles of rough roads.  A person should only consider taking on this maintenance assignment if they have access to a four-wheel drive vehicle with good ground clearance.

 

View
View from the summit of Whitecap

Julian Wiggins
Overseer, Whitecap District
E-mail: julianwiggins@gmail.com

KENNEBEC DISTRICT

Overseer Peter Roderick
Assistant Overseer: Craig Dickstein

(The Kennebec District runs from the Long Falls Dam Road north of North New Portland to Route 15 north of Monson a total of 54.2 AT miles with an additional 1.2 miles of side trail. Included in the district are 6 lean-tos and 1 campsite plus the only ferry service on the AT.)

Kennebec District - 2009 Annual Report
October 1, 2008 to September 30, 2009

 

There are 23 maintainers assigned in the Kennebec District currently including two organizations, Pine Island Camps and the University of Maine Outing Club. 102 volunteers reported a total of 1023 hours of work and travel time during the reporting period.

Highlights of the 2008-2009 included a major bog bridging project along the shore of West Carry Pond led by maintainer Dana Thurston which included the need to activate the often dormant MATC Navy to facilitate the transport of bog bridging material from the north shore of West Carry Pond to the south shore and the site of the work project. The project is progressing nicely and Dana hopes to finish things up soon.

Another unusual event was a workshop conducted by Lester Kenway, MATC President, dealing with chainsaw milling of planks from whole trees. The planks can be used for bog bridging projects in areas where lack of nearby roads prevents the easy transport of sawn material. The advantage to chainsaw milling is the more efficient use of trees to provide the maximum usable planks from fewer trees than ripping them in half. Those who attended learned a great deal about this technique and plan to use it at various spots along the trail where bog bridging is needed.

A third accomplishment during this year was the correcting of the sign list for the Kennebec District especially those signs near the ferry crossing on the Kennebec River. Hikers have requested more information in that area and we are responding to provide it. Louis Chartier and Dave Corrigan were instrumental in moving this project forward.

Looking ahead, Carey Kish is planning to begin a major bog bridging project on his section in the Carry Pond area this season. His section abuts Dana Thurston’s and they provide support to each other in the bog bridging belt of the Kennebec District.

The UM Outing Club will be back for another season doing their usual incredible amount of work including a roof repair project on the Bald Mountain Brook lean-to. Chris Dorion is coordinating that work along with the students from Maine.

Craig Dickstein and I plan to walk the entire district this coming season to assess trail conditions and to compile a list of any projects that might require assistance for the maintainers should they request it. The Kennebec District does not use the Maine Trail Crew as frequently as some other districts due to our generally gentler terrain and highly motivated and experienced maintainers. Still there are occasional projects that need the services of the MTC to be successfully completed. We hope to have a complete and up-to-date list of any such projects by seasons end.

Craig and I want to thank each maintainer for their continued support for the Kennebec District and the MATC. We also thank all the friends and family that join the maintainers to provide the work crews that make the AT in Maine the best part of the AT in the opinion of many hikers. Thanks to you all.


Volunteer crew that worked on bog bridging near West Carry Pond

Peter Roderick
Overseer Kennebec District
E-mail: Kennebec@matc.org

Craig Dickstein
Assistant Overseer

 

BIGELOW DISTRICT

Overseer Dick Fecteau

(The Bigelow District extends from Route 4 to the Long Falls Dam Road. It has 68.3 miles of A.T. and side trail.)

 

Bigelow District Fall 2009 Report

    

I received trip reports last season from 27 maintainers who turned in 2185 volunteer hrs. A total of 85 individuals worked on 82 trips in the district last year.

  • Highlights include; replacement of the 3 skylights on the Piazza Rock shelter, with the help of caretaker Alexie Russ it is now bright enough in the lean-to to grow tomatoes!
  • As reported in a previous Maintainer, a new moldering privy was installed at Poplar Ridge shelter with the help of the Camp Teki boys.
  • Reports that the privy at Spaulding shelter is reaching capacity may require installing a moldering privy there next summer.
  • The Sugarloaf side trail received extensive clipping and drainage work from the Carrabassett Valley Outdoor Association, CVOA, under the direction of Tom Spring. Tom had arranged with Sugarloaf management to drive to the summit on the ski area equipment access road which saved considerable hiking time and effort. This 1/2 mile section of trail along with the 2.3 mile section from the Caribou Valley Road to the junction with the Sugarloaf side trail has been assigned to CVOA.
  • An untended fire reported early last September at Cranberry Stream campsite caused a visit from a district fire ranger. Horns Pond caretaker Geoff Shadman called for ranger backup after he was unable to put out the fire with water. The fire had burned underground and had to be dug out. The Cranberry Stream area is a no fire site that has had the illegal fire pit rebuilt several times this season.
  • The foundation rocks of the lower Horns Pond lean-to were found to be in danger of collapse last May. The shelter was jacked up and the foundation was repaired by site facilitator Mark Sario and other volunteers on Memorial weekend.
  • The Camp Teki girls were scheduled to do additional work late last June on the new Reddington Stream campsite. Due to heavy rains that washed out the access roads the girls were relocated to work at Horns Pond where they rebuilt tent pads and did extensive clipping on the Horns Pond side trail.
    Ninety feet of bog bridging was scheduled to be replaced on the lower Fire Warden's Trail by a Unity College group last August. Unity had to cancel the trip on short notice due to a crew leader’s illness but the work was completed by 3 guys whose combined age totaled 183 years old. The task was finished in one day thanks to section maintainer Ed Keiser and my friend Bob Weingarten.
  • A report that the Safford Notch moldering privy was full caused an emergency trip to the site last August. It was discovered that the chute from the seat through the privy floor had collapsed and was plugged. The privy was cleaned and repaired in just a few hours leaving time for clipping along the campsite trail.
  • The Maine Trail Crew and volunteers worked for 3 wet weeks last June under the direction of Lester Kenway to build a bridge and do extensive side-hill digging on the new Flagstaff relocation. This section of trail that winds along Flagstaff Lake and through old growth trees for almost one mile will be blazed and open for hikers by next spring. Two new campsites are also planned by the Bureau of Parks and Lands along this trail.

 

Dick Fecteau
Overseer, Bigelow District
284 Ramsdell Rd.
Farmington, ME 04938
Phone: (207) 778-0870
E-mail: rfecteau@midmaine.com

 

BALDPATE District

Overseer Tom Gorrill
Assistant Overseer: Chris Parks

Section Description: The Baldpate district runs from Route 26 in Grafton Notch State Park to Route 4 in Sandy River Plantation.   The District consists of 46.8 miles on the Appalachian Trail and 26.3 miles of side trails including the Grafton Loop Trail on the easterly side of Route 26, the Bemis Stream Trail, the Upper Dunn Notch Falls and Cascade Side Trails.

Baldpate District - Annual Report
Posted 2-21-2010


The Camp Tekakwitha girls finished the partially constructed privies at the Knoll campsite and at the East Baldpate campsite

Maintainers: There are a total of 31 dedicated maintainers with sections or campsites within the District who, along with other volunteers who helped them, spent 1600 hours this season working on the trail. These maintainers come from far and wide including Mike Zimmerman from Roque Bluffs, three traveling from Massachusetts and one maintainer from New Hampshire. We had three maintainers retire this year to whom we’d like to express our appreciation; Paul Trueworthy who maintained a portion of the Bemis Stream side trail, and Lars Jansson who maintained the Baldpate Campsite, and Julia Davis who was responsible for the AT from Dunn Notch Falls to the Old Frye Brook Trail. We welcome two new maintainers this year; Mike Blais who will take over for Julia; and Doug Covell who take over maintenance duties on Paul’s former section of the Bemis Stream Trail.  We still have a vacancy for the Baldpate Campsite maintainer.

Projects Completed:  While it was another soggy summer thru July, it was a fairly dry spring allowing maintainers to clear the trail of blow downs, clear the waterbars as well as other usual spring duties.  Several projects were also completed or worked on this year including the following:

  • Maine Trail Crew worked on three projects in the district and did wonderful work: 
    • Relocation of the trail around the Moody Mountain Landslide.  The crew spent three weeks on the relocation and expect to complete the project this year following another three weeks of work.
    • Trail Relocation on West Baldpate
    • Installation of waterbars on Old Blue
  • The Camp Tekakwitha boys carried in the materials for and constructed a privy at the Town Corner campsite on the Grafton Loop Trail.
  • The Camp Tekakwitha girls finished the partially constructed privies at the Knoll campsite and at the East Baldpate campsite.
  • A group of 9 volunteers relocated an eroded portion of the Grafton Loop Trail on the east side of Puzzle Mountain.
  • The Maine Department of Transportation reconstructed the parking lot on the west side of Route 4 and relocated the entrance to the lot to improve the poor sight lines. 
  • Bog bridging near Surplus Pond by Mike Ewing

Projects Planned for the Upcoming Season: This year we hope to replace waterbars along various sections of the AT, and open the trail relocations around the Moody Mountain landslide and on the East side of Puzzle Mountain which were started last season.

We are looking forward to the 2010 season and please don’t hesitate to contact me if you notice something along the trail that needs attention.

Tom Gorrill
Baldpate District Overseer
tgorrill@maine.rr.com
Phone (207) 657-4249

Mike Ewing
Assistant Overseer
swango.mike@yahoo.com

 

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