Skiers navigate fine trails of Bangor City Forest

You say you need someplace to go to walk, snowshoe or ski where you won’t run into foam-at-the-mouth fanatic ski skaters intent on chewing you up and spitting you out? You want a little solitude and still want to be close to the city? You want a little adventure? A chance to explore?

Have I got an idea for you.

The Bangor City Forest between Stillwater Avenue and the old Veazie Railroad bed is easily accessible to automobiles and it provides nearly 10 miles of trails throughout the 650 or so acres the city maintains for recreation, wildlife and forest management.

It’s a place I’ve wanted to explore for a while, but hadn’t until last Wednesday. I’ve been on a kick lately to try to shed the holiday excess in hopes of being able to complete a 9-mile ski into Baxter State Park later in the month. Our trip leader, Karen Francoeur of Orono, has been my mentor, and has taken it upon herself to ensure that I get out and sweat. She knows I use Wednesdays to “research” this column, so lately she’s been on the phone each Tuesday prodding me into new and seemingly more rigorous weekly adventures.

So last Wednesday we agreed to meet at the old Bangor landfill at the end of Kittredge Road and explore. There’s a parking lot there, but nothing else. I had not picked up a map of the area from the Parks and Recreation Department, and the surroundings didn’t look familiar to Francoeur, who skied the woods once before. So we set off on a wild goose chase, exploring all the side roads and driveways on the western side of Stillwater Avenue from Kittredge Road to the Orono town line.

If we’d had a map, we’d have known to drive up Stillwater to Tripp Drive. It’s close to the Orono-Bangor line. Drive to the end of the short road and you’ll find the access road and a parking area, as well as a kiosk with a large map of the forest and smaller ones. Take one – you’ll need it – especially if you’ve never been here. We found that even with the map in hand, it took some close inspection to remain on our intended route, mostly because there are several unmarked trail intersections as well as a few places where skiers or snowshoers have made their own trails. But be patient, the trail marking will improve, it’s in the works, according to Dave Rice, a forester at Bangor Public Works. The city just finished work on the perimeter trails in December, including putting down a stone dust top layer. Better signage is coming.

Nevertheless, this is a fun place to ski. You’ll find a covered picnic table at the trailhead and another farther out on the West Trail where it intersects with Main Road. Rice said many skiers make a loop by taking East Trail to Deer Trail to West Trail and back to the parking lot. It looks to be a little less than 2 miles in length, and you could plan a little picnic.

We chose to start on the West Trail and head in a clockwise direction generally in a tour of the outer perimeter of the property – a 41/2-mile loop. The trail is mostly flat, and, because it has been heavily used by cross-country skiers and because we’ve had some good snow this winter, it’s in nearly perfect condition. You may find some of the other trails inside this big loop are not as well groomed, and that’s because many of them are mountain bike trails and basically unimproved paths, Rice said.

The intent is to leave the mountain bike trails rough as the riders have requested, he said. If you’re not into skiing but happen to be looking for a nice walk in the woods, simply follow the roads throughout the forest. They are plowed because woods work continues throughout the winter. The Main Road, which begins at the former landfill, winds through the woods to the old Veazie Railroad bed near the northern tip of the parcel. At the Tripp Drive entrance you’ll find Tripp Drive and Shannon Road, both of which join the Main Road. Farther out there is Loop Road on the western side of the woods. Along the road you’ll see small signs on posts that explain the type of forestry being practiced in that area.

Keep an eye out for animal signs. We saw deer, moose and rabbit tracks in the snow, and evidence of industrious woodpeckers at numerous deadwoods.

During the time we visited the site and toured the perimeter, we saw only two other skiers and one man and his dog, but there were two other cars in the lot. Rice said the woods have had a lot of use this winter because of the good snow conditions. So much use, in fact, that the city is contemplating enlarging the parking area off Tripp Drive. So if you go there on the weekend you might find parking space is at a premium.

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If you prefer to experience the outdoors from an upholstered chair and not a Crazy Creek chair, pack up the troops and head to the 16th annual Down East Camping and Recreational Vehicle Show this weekend at Bangor Auditorium and Civic Center. The Friday-Sunday extravaganza will feature tent trailers, travel trailers, motor homes, fifth wheels, small watercraft, campground information, a U.S. Cellular Travel Communications Center and a Maine Bound outdoor adventure education program booth.

It’s a good opportunity to see what’s new this year and to break that case of cabin fever you may have developed. Be sure to pick up the newest copy of the Maine Camping Guide from the Maine Campground Owners Association. It lists all of the commercial campgrounds in the state and is a good tool to use when planning your summer vacation.

The doors at the Bass Park complex off lower Main Street are open from 4 to 9 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $4. The show is sponsored by Bangor Daily News Enterprises and the Bass Park complex.

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Here’s your last call for signing up for the Maine Guide-Sea Kayaking and Wilderness First Responder courses offered at United Technologies. Deb Pappas, who coordinates the continuing education programs, is extending the registration time in hopes of getting a few more folks to sign up.

If you’ve ever thought about guiding sea kayakers, here’s your chance to learn the ropes and get prepared for the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife guide’s test. Even if you don’t want to go on to guide others, it’s a chance to learn about safety and navigation from Francoeur, who is a Registered Maine Guide. The course costs $170, and the state administered guide test is an additional $100.

Wilderness First Responder is an intensive course covering a wide spectrum of emergency-care topics in outdoor situations. Jon Tierney is the instructor. Successful completion of the course leads to certification through Wilderness Medical Associates. The cost is $445.

There are a few openings in a seven-week course Francoeur is offering on sea kayaking – theory and practice – in which you’ll learn the essentials of this fast-growing sport. The cost is $80.

Call the school as soon as possible at 942-5296 for more information.

Jeff Strout’s column is published Thursdays. He can be reached at 990-8202 or by e-mail at jstrout@bangordailynews.net.