Guests back in just now said BSP was great today! They also said they probably passed less than 2 dozen (24) riders today too. Very low traffic they thought considering the snow pack depth - trail conditions & weather! They sure were happy about it! AND......FYI......SUPER BOWL SPECIAL at the Katahdin Cabins! Next weekend - book any 2 nights from Thursday-Friday-Saturday get the 3rd FREE! Just wanted to let all know - rode about 25 miles myself today - GORGEOUS outside! Sunny & 24 or so - still a fair amount of running water though at some small streams/brooks!

Thinking of maybe making the trip this weekend. Heard you can't get over to the Medway area from town. Is this true? Met some friends there this summer and was hoping to ride over there. Any info would help. We have never ridden in this area before and would love any input on where we should ride and of course where not to ride. Thanks

I'm heading up there next week for our anual pilgrimage to Millinocket. Granted, it changes from year to year with logging and re-routing but here are some general guidlines

1. Stay out of downtown. The trails are bumpy, narrow, and thin

2. Although you will be tempted, stay out of Baxter state park. They don't groom it so its God only knows how many miles of spine slamming bumps at 25 mph

3. Definitly get over to the JoMary club trails. Great views, wide trails, and always in great shape

4. Head north on ITS 85 from the junction of the Wild Kingdom trail/86/85 up to Shin pond. There are some AMAZING views along 85 once you get north of 83

5. 85/86 west out to Kokadjo is fast and flat

Hope that helps.

definitely helps. Any where you recommend stopping to eat? also when we are done riding where should we go for dinner and a drink? Thanks

Greetings Westcafe! You can get from Millinocket to Medway/East Millinocket - 2 different routes to get there including the easiest way over Dolby Pond which is much much better now due to the extreme cold we have had the last 4 nights. Actually a lot of the smaller streams/water spots have all improved a whole lot the last 4 days. In town is still not too bad here in Millinocket due to extremely light traffic thus far this year. As for BSP some really enjoy it - the areas MXD spoke of are great too thus far this year. Places to eat? Lunch/Breakfast you can not go wrong at the AT Cafe in downtown Millinocket. Dinner/Drink after a day of riding try the Scootic Inn also in downtown Millinocket. Great food, decent prices, strong drinks, nice casual but still nice atmosphere. Any more questions fire away!

Thanks for the help. Tried to get the other couple we are going with to stay at your place. They want the luxury of having a pool. Me after reading some things on here probably will not use it. Ive heard great reviews of your place and wish they would change their minds. Still working on it. I see you still have some rooms available for this coming weekend. I just posted a ? about registering, if you could help there also that would be great. Thanks, Deb

Hi Deb. Already posted on the registering - but here again - Lennies Superette in Medway - The KG (Katahdin General Store) here in Millinocket - Town Hall in Millinocket (M-F only though). Yes we do still have cabins this weekend. Let me know, regardless of where you stay any help/questions just give a holler! Nice to meet you......

The Millinocket in-town trails have actually been pretty decent this year. Yes, they are narrow, but they've been relatively smooth and makes for a nice option to get from Medway to Millinocket in a direct route. The Stratton trail is also an excellent option for go between 83 and 86.

Really looking forward to getting there! I love HCS! Everyone is so helpful when you need it. My son's car broke down on 95 in island falls this past summer and they towed it to Medway to be repaired. We ended up camping for 2 nights at katahdin Shadows. My husband and I ventured off and found Peggy's Place. Hermon and Peggy are real nice people. I forget the name of the repair place, but it was across the street from the general store. He was a great guy and got us out of there as soon as he could. Looking forward to stopping in to say Hi. Can you ride to Peggy's Place from downtown?

Hi again Deb & THANKS J45p3r. I personally think the trails in/out of town (and in town too!) here in Millinocket have been pretty good thus far this year. But everyone has their own opinion (right or wrong!). Yes you can ride directly into Peggys place. The trail runs right behind/into the Big Apple Gas Station and it is very easy to find/see from there. Regards......

+1 baxter park is horrible, and full of tree huggers on cross country skiis

i may as well throw in a question about medway....i'm staying at the gateway next week. how far is it from there to these in town trails and what not? what kind of riding am i looking at to get from the hotel to the trails? thanks in advance!

I didn't mean to offend anyone. From the tone of your post, you took my comments personally. Its just my opinion. I have not been there yet this year, I was simply stating that in years past those trails are slightly less than fun. If you are staying in town, its worth the ride throught them to get to the other areas I mentioned. Those trails wouldn't keep me from staying downtown or riding there for a meal but I wouldn't cruise through just to check out the trails.

Hey MXD, thanks for the kind words. Not offended - I have seen Peddlers Hill - the long straight away from the Dead River/Dunkin Donuts/Rite Aid Parking Lot area down to where you ride to cross the street to head out of town behind the school/ball fields look like a great long wave of SNOW WAVES 3' high that are just 5mph up & downs. This year they have kept them exceptionally cut flat for the riders that have been here thus far - our compliments to the groomers. Actually if you go from the Pamola/Best Value to say Dead River on that side of the road there are a few serious up/downs to beware of, especially by the old dead river gas station at the corner just kitty corner from the McDonalds gas station. And mfpukala11 it is not too far a hop from the Gateway down to the Big Apple gas station/restaurant or Peggys for that matter - easy enough to get to, easy enough to find. About 3 miles or so from where you are staying.

sweet, thanks!

i think my buddy is going to be amazed at how much i'll know about the area when we get there next week, and i can say its all because of this site! lots of great people and information to be had here...