DOG SLEDDING TRIPS 2009 |
WEEKEND DOG SLEDDING and NORDIC SKIING TRIPS
IN THE NORTHWOODS OF MAINE
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Our two and three day weekend trips are in the Umbagog Lake and Mahoosuc Mountain areas. The first night is spent at a local bed and breakfast (special rates available for Mahoosuc Guide Service guests). The area and activities are the same for the two and three day weekend trips (except Pimotaau weekends), a combination of mushing, skiing and snowshoeing. The difference between them is that on the second day of the three day weekend we do a day trip out from our base camp by dogteam and cross country skis. Pimotaau weekends all travel is done by dog team. There are two people per sled working with the dogteams on all weekend trips unless other arrangements are made in advance.
Weekend trips begin at 7 p.m. the evening of the first day to outfit participants with winter equipment, answer questions and go over the itinerary. The following morning we will head out with the huskies for two or three days on the trail. The weekend trips are a combination of dog sledding, cross country skiing and snowshoeing. The exception is Pimotaau weekends which are all mushing. All trips begin the evening of the first day listed and end around 4 p.m. on the last day.
All you need to bring is warm clothing and a sense of adventure. We will provide food and all specialized winter equipment such as skiis, poles, boots, parkas, gaiters, sleeping bags and ensolite pad. Winter travel can be physically challenging. The better shape you are in the more enjoyable the trip will be for you. If you are relatively inactive start exercising at least one month prior to your trip. Participants should be able to ski or snowshoe 4 miles with a light pack. While on the trail, accommodations will be in the traditional camp of the north, canvas wall tents heated with wood stoves and a fir bough floor.
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Mahoosuc Intro (2 days)
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$555
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Christmas Mush - Dec. 26-28 |
New Years - Jan. 2-4 |
Full Moon Mush - Jan. 9-11 |
School Vacation - Feb. 20-22 |
Spring Fling - Mar. 13-15 |
Last Chance Mush - Mar. 20-22 |
Umbagog Lake (3 days)
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$630
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Full Moon Mush - Jan. 8-11 |
Martin Luther King - Jan. 15-18 |
Martin Luther King - Jan. 16-19 |
President’s Day - Feb. 13-16 |
School Vacation - Feb. 19-22 |
Spring Fling - Mar. 12-15 |
Last Chance Mush - Mar. 19-22 |
WOMEN'S WEEKENDS
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| Mahoosuc Intro Full Mush/Ski | $555 |
| Jan. 23 - 25 |
| Umbagog Lake$630 |
| Feb. 5 - 8 |
Calling any women adventurers to an exciting and action packed weekend of cross country skiing and dog sledding on Umbagog Lake. This follows the same format as our weekend dog sledding trips but provides the special opportunity to share this experience with other women.
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PIMOTAAU WEEKENDS
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| Jan. 22 - 25, Feb. 5 - 8, Feb. 26 - Mar. 1 |
$930 |
 Pimotaau is Cree for traveling through the bush. On these 3 day weekend trips we will travel every day by dog team to a new camp and group size is limited to five. Since the itinerary is linear (point A to B) these trips provide the opportunity to see more country and to travel further by dog team. Pimotaau weekends also explore some areas that are different from our regular weekends trips. Cross country skiing and snow shoeing are optional from camp.
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NORTHERN CLASSICS DOG SLEDDING TRIPS
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 Our Northern Classic trips are a minimum of 4 days and are done with one person per sled. This enables us to travel further (6-20 miles) per day and offers the most opportunity to work with and get to know the huskies. We bring skiis and/or snowshoes to explore the country around the camps. Group size is smaller (maximum 5) to accommodate individual interests.
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DOG SLEDDING WITH THE CREE - OUJE-BOUGOUMOU, QUEBEC
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| Dec. 10 - 17, 2008 |
$3800 |
| Mar. 26 - Apr. 4, 2009 |
$4275 |
 Northern lights, frozen bogs, wolves howling; welcome to Chitichiinnu, the land of the Cree. This trip is for anyone who wants to experience a true dog sled expedition in the north. Ice reading, winter navigation, camping techniques, dog handling and care are a few of the topics covered. Cree guides, David and Anna Bosum, have many years of experience in the bush and will join us to share their vast knowledge of hunting, trapping and fishing. You will never look at the Northwoods and it’s animals the same way after spending time in the bush with Anna and David. While on the trail you will have the opportunity to try country food such as fresh walleye, moose, beaver, bear or goose. This is a very rare and rich cultural experience!
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CABIN TO CABIN
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| Jan. 26 - 31 |
$1730 |
The mountains northeast of Moosehead Lake will be the setting for this mush. We will do a 50 mile loop trip staying at three different remote camps along the way. Accommodations will be in rustic log cabins at Medawisla Wilderness Camps, West Branch Pond Camps and Little Lyford Camps. This is the trip for anyone who wants the home cooked meals and comfort of a traditional Maine sporting camp. The views of the Katahdin range are spectacular!
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DOG SLEDDING THE RAPID RIVER COUNTRY
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| Mar. 2 - 7 |
$1175 |
Explore the winter wilderness of the Rapid River country. We will travel for two days by dog sled to reach our camp in a very remote part of the Rapid River. The Rapid does not freeze in the winter so our camp on the river has beautiful mist rising from the water. Here we will have a layover day to explore the area by ski or snowshoe in search of otter, moose, deer and other wildlife. This country has one of the largest deer herds in the Northeast. This trip provides a nice variety of lake travel and forest trails. We will visit parts of the Rapid River seldom seen in it’s winter glory.
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DOGSLEDDING WITH THE INUIT OF NUNAVIK
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| Apr. 6-14 Kuujjuaq to Tasiujaq |
$5500 (inc. airfare from Montreal) |
Nunavik is the arctic region of Quebec. On this trip we will be traveling with Allen Gordon, an Inuk musher from Kuujjuaq. The trail between the two villages is about 100 miles and varies in habitat from boreal treeline to tundra. Wildlife in this area includes caribou, wolf, arctic fox and a living relic from the ice age, the musk ox. Northern lights are frequent at this latitude and we will try ice fishing for arctic char. Much of the food on the trail will be local fare such as caribou, ptarmigan and char. The warmth, humility and self reliance of the Inuit will stay with you long after your arctic adventure.
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DAY TRIPS
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On Umbagog Lake or gentle trails in the Mahoosuc Mountains are available Tues. - Thurs. mid Dec. thru mid March. A warm home-made hearty lunch cooked over a campfire is included on day trips as well as insulated winter parkas and warm boots.
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Cost $265 per person. Book early as these fill fast.
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CUSTOM TRIPS
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We are able to design custom trips for groups to any of the areas we guide in: Maine, Ouje-Bougoumou, Quebec, James and Hudson Bays and Nunavik. Call us if you would like to discuss the possibilities.
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Children's Discounts
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Children under the age of 13 go for a 25% discount on all trips
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INSTRUCTIONAL DAY
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 Drive your own team of huskies. This is for the more serious musher. We give
detailed instruction on training, hooking up a team, driving the team,
handling the sled, etc
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| Cost $395 per person
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Canoeing Calendar & Prices 2008 |
MAINE RIVER GUIDE TRAINING - EAST BRANCH PENOBSCOT RIVER
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| May 7 - 10 |
$575 |
 The upper East Branch is the most spectacular wilderness river in the
northeast. The many falls and gorges are interspersed with majestic views of
the Baxter Park Mountains. The trip starts at the outlet of Lake Matagamon.
The Maine River Guide Program is designed for those wishing to become
registered Maine Guides and guides wanting more experience on technical
rivers. All aspects of canoeing and camping will be covered. Some of the
topics will include: poling, portaging, lining, campcraft, cooking and
baking, fly fishing, setting up a warm dry campsite, northwoods natural
history and white water techniques/river safety. The East Branch is ideally
suited for a guides training course. There are numerous Class 2 and 3 rapids
and four portages. It is well worth the effort for the privilege of canoeing
the East Branch.
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ST. JOHN RIVER
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| May 18 - 24 |
$1050 |
 The Abenaki knew it as Wallastook, or "Beautiful River"-and it is! Largest
of Maine's Rivers, the St. John is reminiscent of the great rivers of the
Canadian North. From Baker Lake, the river begins as a small stream,
gradually growing in size and power as it flows near the Canadian border.
The St. John is a great river to learn or refine river paddling techniques
because the rapids become successfully more difficult as we voyage north to
our take-out in Allagash Village. The St. John winds through some of Maine¹s
wildest and most remote country. Small wonder that the lynx has chosen this
area to be his last home in the eastern lower 48 states.
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ALLAGASH RIVER
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| BEFORE THE BUGS - May 25-30 (good fly fishing) | $975 |
| Family Trip - July 13-18 | $975 |
| FALL FOLIAGE - September 23-28 (good fly fishing) | $975 |
Understandably Maine's most famous canoe trip, the Allagash is in many ways
the most representative of its canoe country. It is rich in wildlife such as
moose, otter, eagle and osprey and historic artifacts from the river logging
era. The rapids are beginners level and there is only one portage, around
the spectacular 50 ft. Allagash Falls. We choose to paddle the Allagash at
times of year that avoid the crowds and the bugs. The May and the fall
foliage trips also have the added benefit of some super fishing.
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UPPER MISSOURI RIVER CANOE TRIP - MONTANA
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| June 20 - 29 |
$1930 |
 The upper Missouri in north central Montana is designated as part of the
National Wild and Scenic River System of America. The river has a constantly
flowing current which makes for a leisurely paddle in some of the west¹s
most spectacular country. The wide valley gives a spacious feeling in this
³big sky country². The unique rock formations of the White Cliffs area, home
of the bighorn sheep, antelope, white tail and mule deer, white pelican and
the rich history of Sacajewa, a Shosone guide for Lewis and Clark are some
of the draws to this country and this river trip. Come feel it¹s magic!
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GRAND LAKES REGION WOMEN'S CANOE TRIP/ NATIVE PLANT STUDY
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| July 20 - 25 |
$825 |
A new women's trip for us to offer is to the North Eastern Maine lakes
region. Area resident and Maine guide, Sue Szwed, will be guiding this trip
with Polly. Some of the lakes we will explore are: Sysladobsis, Pocumcus,
West Grand Lake and Junior. Time will be spent learning about the edible and
medicinal uses of plants that grow in this area. Sandy beaches,
interconnecting lakes and the surrounding mountains are some of the
uniqueness of this area. Another added attraction after the canoe trip is
the Grand Lake Stream Festival July 29th and 30th; with crafts and music all
weekend.
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WEST BRANCH PENOBSCOT RIVER/CHESUNCOOK LAKE
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| July 29 - August 2 |
$775 |
 This trip retraces part of Thoreau's voyage through the Maine woods and
offers an excellent beginners' wilderness trip through country rich in
wildlife, logging history and native American history. There are no
difficult rapids or portages on the entire trip. An added feature is the
opportunity to visit historic Chesunook village, the last roadless
settlement left in Maine which was visited by Thoreau in 1850. This is the
most popular introduction to Maine canoe camping we offer and it¹s an
excellent choice for families (children 15 and younger 25% off).
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WOMEN'S CANOE and YOGA WEEKEND - UMBAGOG LAKE (3 Days)
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| August 8 - 10 |
$400 |
A unique paddling experience in one of Maine's more beautiful lakes,where
the surrounding mountains provide a spectacular panorama in every direction.
We will paddle down the Magalloway River to Umbagog Lake and to the mouth of
the Rapid River, camping close to a bald eagle's nest and hiking on the foot
trail that parallels the river. We will finish the trip by paddling down the
Androscoggin River to our take out north of Errol, New Hampshire. Kim
Chandler of Innerlight Yoga Studios will be co-leading this trip with Polly
and facilitating yoga exercises throughout the weekend.
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CANOEING WITH THE CREE - LAKE WAPOSITE, QUEBEC
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| August 9 - 16 |
$2200 |
Quaking bogs, black spruce, woodland caribou, northern lights-welcome to the
land of the Cree! This trip offers our guests a rare opportunity to travel
with a Cree couple, David and Anna Bosum, through their ancestral homeland.
Several days will be spent in the Cree Village of Ouje-Bougoumou learning
more about the Cree language and culture. Learn traditional northwoods canoe
traveling techniques with the people who developed them.
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GREEN RIVER - UTAH
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| October 9 - 19 |
$1950 |
This is a spectacular paddle through Utah's famous Canyonlands country. We
will cover 56 river miles starting from Mineral Bottom and passing through
Stillwater Canyon to the confluence of the Colorado River. From there we
will travel upstream back to Moab. This is a flat water river in a very
remote part of the southwest. In October these high desert plains offer warm
days, cool nights and few tourists. There will be time for some hiking in
the side canyons of the Canyonlands. A trip to remember!
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Children's Discounts
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Children under the age of 13 go for a 25% discount on all trips
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