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Winter in the Western Mountains
Rangeley, located in the western mountains of Maine, is halfway between the equator and the North Pole. However, even in the summer, the equatorial aspect of this region is absent. While the temperature does not match the extremes of the North Pole, the amount of snow that falls here makes this region a haven for those who love snow sports.
Rangeley itself has only 1200 permanent residents, and the nearby town of Oquossoc, which is native American for "landing place", has even fewer. But what these towns lack in permanent residents is more than made up for in visitors who come to this four-season area. Fishing is what put Rangeley on the map, but the advent of snowmobiling is what truly brought it year-round popularity. In addition to snowmobiling, winter visitors can enjoy downhill and cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and a visit to a very unusual museum.
Snowmobiling
A 150 mile network of trails goes right through Rangeley and connects to trails in Canada. These trails are very well-groomed, with numerous trailside accommodations, and provide an enjoyable experience for those who prefer motorized winter activity. Rangeley also hosts a lengthy season of snowmobile-related activities, including races, fairs and other special events. Snowmobiles can be rented at Dockside Sports Center, Main Street, Rangeley. Email: dockside@ctel.net.
The Maine Snowmobile Association website is www.mesnow.com
Snowshoeing
Do you want to tell people that you've walked the Appalachian Trail, but don't think that you can make it from Maine to Georgia? Up here you can not only do a very nice section of the trail, but do it on snowshoes. I have snowshoed this trail numerous times and never stop being amazed by Piazza Rock, a huge, flat, boulder with no visible supports, which seems to defy gravity while handing over the trail. The trail also provides some sweeping vistas along this relatively flat, 3.6 mile round-trip portion of the AT. There are two warming huts along this section, and one even has a cribbage board, so bring a deck of cards. Snowshoes can be rented at the Alpine Shop, Main Street, Rangeley, (800) 310-3741.
Alpine Skiing
Rangeley's Saddleback Mountain is a great place to avoid the long lift lines and crowds that are found at many other ski resorts. Although there is less snowmaking at Saddleback than at nearby Sugarloaf, the natural snowfall is pretty heavy, since Saddleback has the highest base elevation in New England. The mountain has 40 Alpine trails and five lifts, as well as 25 km of cross-country trails. For information, (207) 864-5671 or www.saddlebackskiarea.com
Cross-Country
The Rangeley Lakes Cross Country Ski Trail system includes 65 kilometers of groomed trails, meandering through forests and fields. There is also the opportunity to go off trail and onto one of the many logging roads in the area. All trails are numbered and maps and passes can be obtained at the Alpine Shop on Main Street. For further information call the Rangeley Cross Country Ski Club, (207) 864-4309.
Orgonon
The phrase "unique experience" is overused, particularly in travel writing. However, I can think of no more appropriate way to describe a visit to Orgonon, the museum celebrating the life and work of psychiatrist Wilhelm Reich, founder of the school of Reichian psychology. Although I don't have room here to describe Reich's research findings and beliefs, suffice it to say that his work was unusual.
This 200 acre farm, which Reich called Orgonon, includes his home and laboratories, looking much the way they did when he died (in prison) in 1957. His paper, paintings and laboratory instruments are intact and extremely interesting to explore. Orgonon is the site of frequent art, music and other creative workshops, for children and adults alike. Check ahead for the schedule, particularly in winter.
The trails and fields are also open for snowshoeing and there are children's snowshoes available for loan. The museum is about three miles north of town on Route 17. For further information go to www.somtel.com/~wreich/ or call (207)864-3443.
Rangeley is in northwestern Maine, and can be reached by taking Route 2 out of Farmington, then continuing on Route 4, right into downtown Rangeley. Most commercial establishments are on Main Street, about a one mile strip of Route 4, prior to its intersection with Route 16, which leads to Sugarloaf. Oquossoc, which has some nice restaurants, is about a five mile ride north on Route 17. For accommodations, restaurants, maps and other information about Rangeley, go to www.rangeleymaine.com or email mtlakes@rangeley.org.
Questions?
If you want more information about this area you can email the author or check out our North America Insiders page.
