Montreal to Maine or to NH
09-26-23, 09:46 PM
#1
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Montreal to Maine or to NH
I plan on doing a 4-5 touring trip in October, just before it gets cooler and certain parks close.
I plan on doing most of the biking as much as possible in day, so that I can rest of the time hike to either Katahdin or Mount Washington. I am more familiar with Maine as I have drove countless times through there and hiked Katahdin and parts Baxter state park. I plan on camping but can stay at motels if affordable, but perhaps a mix of both but freecampsites.net is useful and it shows me the free campsites, but I will have my camping gear with me. I plan on carrying only around 20 pounds maybe 15. I think the ride to NH is the easier choice since I have so little time, and less biking to do but seems like it might be a lot of climbing tho. What do you guys think?
09-27-23, 03:15 AM
#2
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If the second route involves some trail miles in northern VT, you should check official websites for trail damage due to flooding this summer.
BTW…It’s more helpful to post something like a RWGPS map. You can’t see much detail on a screen shot. Also, Google Maps is not always your friend. I’ve found its elevation data to be off. Way off sometimes compared to RWGPS.
BTW…It’s more helpful to post something like a RWGPS map. You can’t see much detail on a screen shot. Also, Google Maps is not always your friend. I’ve found its elevation data to be off. Way off sometimes compared to RWGPS.
09-27-23, 06:50 AM
#3
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I live near Mount Washington NH and have cycled from Montreal several times. Here is my route to Crawford Notch ...
I would always cross the border at the Frelighsburg QC/E Franklin VT station and camp at Lake Carmi SP the first night. Take the longer route through Enosburg Falls if you need supplies. From there I'd continue east to Brighton SP at Island Pond VT. From there to Crawford Notch NH and then home. Not sure how late into October these parks are open.
You might need winter gear even in October to climb Mt Washington.
I would always cross the border at the Frelighsburg QC/E Franklin VT station and camp at Lake Carmi SP the first night. Take the longer route through Enosburg Falls if you need supplies. From there I'd continue east to Brighton SP at Island Pond VT. From there to Crawford Notch NH and then home. Not sure how late into October these parks are open.
You might need winter gear even in October to climb Mt Washington.
Last edited by BobG; 09-27-23 at 09:45 AM. Reason: map correction
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09-27-23, 07:41 AM
#4
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You can rent a pack, boots, and crampons from the IME store in North Conway. Leave your bike there and hitchhike to Mt. Washington. Camp at Hermit Lake and hike up the next morning. Try not to break a leg up there.
09-27-23, 07:54 AM
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I live near Mount Washington NH and have cycled from Montreal several times. Here is my route to Crawford Notch ...
I would always cross the border at the Frelighsburg QC/E Franklin VT station and camp at Lake Carmi SP the first night. Take the longer route through Enosburg Falls if you need supplies. From there I'd continue east to Brighton SP at Island Pond VT. From there to Crawford Notch NH and then home. Not sure how late into October these parks are open.
edit: You might need winter gear even in October to climb Mt Washington.
I would always cross the border at the Frelighsburg QC/E Franklin VT station and camp at Lake Carmi SP the first night. Take the longer route through Enosburg Falls if you need supplies. From there I'd continue east to Brighton SP at Island Pond VT. From there to Crawford Notch NH and then home. Not sure how late into October these parks are open.
edit: You might need winter gear even in October to climb Mt Washington.
BTW...Do you remember Jerry, the former CHiP on our NT tour? Emily told me he was killed in a motorcycle accident. (The irony.) Not sure when, but likely it would have been a while ago because he'd be in his 80s now.
09-27-23, 07:57 AM
#6
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Baxter and specifically Kahtahdin is in usually in winter hiling mode after 10/1. Check the website for requirements to hike. They are very specific and stringent. As well, the Maine state campogrounds are closing on 10/9, some (in the south) might be open till 10/15, again check the websites and/or call for details.
09-27-23, 09:49 AM
#7
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If the second route involves some trail miles in northern VT, you should check official websites for trail damage due to flooding this summer.
BTW…It’s more helpful to post something like a RWGPS map. You can’t see much detail on a screen shot. Also, Google Maps is not always your friend. I’ve found its elevation data to be off. Way off sometimes compared to RWGPS.
BTW…It’s more helpful to post something like a RWGPS map. You can’t see much detail on a screen shot. Also, Google Maps is not always your friend. I’ve found its elevation data to be off. Way off sometimes compared to RWGPS.
Baxter and specifically Kahtahdin is in usually in winter hiling mode after 10/1. Check the website for requirements to hike. They are very specific and stringent. As well, the Maine state campogrounds are closing on 10/9, some (in the south) might be open till 10/15, again check the websites and/or call for details.
Yes was looking at that, it all varies but I will be leaving (going back home by) Oct 9.
09-27-23, 09:51 AM
#8
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This is what RWGPS showing me:
I am thinking maybe depending on how roads are looking to pass through Newport instead and follow BobGs map once reached Newport.
I am thinking maybe depending on how roads are looking to pass through Newport instead and follow BobGs map once reached Newport.
09-27-23, 10:22 AM
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Link to the map so we can focus in would be more helpful. If that's the trail south from Richford, I rode it last year. It was not the greatest. Often felt like riding in a rut with high growth around. The latter would likely not be an issue in October. Also, there are a zillion crossings of the highway where you have to stop and make sure the coast is clear.
Newport has a nice camping spot along the water, but I don't know how late it's open. The middle tent site of the three is the best because it provides some shelter from the wind. And there is a nice restaurant very close to the park entrance.
Newport has a nice camping spot along the water, but I don't know how late it's open. The middle tent site of the three is the best because it provides some shelter from the wind. And there is a nice restaurant very close to the park entrance.
09-27-23, 10:26 AM
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I hiked three days in the White Mountains as a 13 yo long ago,l staying in the AMC huts so no tent or cooking gear. Night two was at the hut at Lake of the Clouds 1000' below the summit of Mt Washington. The "lake" was a small pond behind the hut. ("Hut" being a building as large as the "lake" was small.)
While there, I took a stroll around the pond. On the back side was a small cairn with a cross and plaque. Read the plaque. A hiker who died in a whiteout. The date? Before the hut was opened but after it was built. And as soon as it was built, the shed in back was stocked with emergency supplies for hikers just like this one. He died not knowing that everything he needed was 50' away.
Next day I got to see the concrete buildings at the top steel cabled to granite rocks. Years later; my racing days, the hill climb was stopped short of the finish for freezing 60 mph winds and whiteout. In September. That mountain demands respect.
While there, I took a stroll around the pond. On the back side was a small cairn with a cross and plaque. Read the plaque. A hiker who died in a whiteout. The date? Before the hut was opened but after it was built. And as soon as it was built, the shed in back was stocked with emergency supplies for hikers just like this one. He died not knowing that everything he needed was 50' away.
Next day I got to see the concrete buildings at the top steel cabled to granite rocks. Years later; my racing days, the hill climb was stopped short of the finish for freezing 60 mph winds and whiteout. In September. That mountain demands respect.
09-27-23, 11:23 AM
#11
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Are you joining the new Lamoille Valley Trail. I think you probably are from looking at your maps
09-27-23, 04:03 PM
#12
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Weather forecast here:
https://www.mountwashington.org/
Mt. Washington sees multiple fatalities every year. People have frozen to death in all twelve months of the year. Someone froze to death on it in late June 2022.
In October, afternoon high temperatures on the summit will be not far above freezing. Night temperatures will be well below freezing. Dress warm and pick a fine weather day. It's not particularly challenging when it isn't windy. Bring a balaclava and ski goggles just in case. Good idea to wear a helmet too.
IME has a huge used gear section. You can buy everything there affordably. I think they also run paid group hikes. Only bad thing about the group hikes, they start and end in the parking lot all in one day. It's a lot, and you miss the nice camping.
It's a great hike. Enjoy.
https://www.masslive.com/news/2022/06/xi-chen-massachusetts-hiker-who-died-after-mt-washington-rescue-remembered-as-passionate-man-who-loved-living-life-to-its-fullest.html
Last edited by Yan; 09-27-23 at 04:21 PM.
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09-28-23, 03:45 AM
#13
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Re-posting Yan's links ...
https://www.masslive.com/news/2022/0...s-fullest.html
https://www.mountwashington.org/
Our local radio station also streams a live summit conditions weather report from the Mt Washington Observatory every morning at around 7:50 AM, valley report begins at 7:45 ...
https://www.wmwv.com/listen-live/
https://www.masslive.com/news/2022/0...s-fullest.html
https://www.mountwashington.org/
Our local radio station also streams a live summit conditions weather report from the Mt Washington Observatory every morning at around 7:50 AM, valley report begins at 7:45 ...
https://www.wmwv.com/listen-live/
09-30-23, 05:45 PM
#14
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First, I second Indyfabz's advice to check trail conditions since there are probably washouts.
For flatness and interesting riding you could leave Montreal via the Jasques Cartier Bridge and take the Velo Route 1 to Chambly, along a nice canal path, then south to the Noyan/Alburgh crossing. From there, continue down route 2 on the Champlain Islands; nice riding, with the lake on both sides with the Greens and the Adirondacks in the distance. The Champlain Bike Path takes you into Burlington. There you pick up the Cross Vermont trail, 60 miles to Onion River campground, and 30 more to Wells River on the state line. Across the bridge, in Woodsville, NH, is the beginning of the Cross New Hampshire Adventure Trail, 40 miles to Israel River Campground, and 40 more to Bethel Maine. Both cross state routes have websites and maps.
Bon Voyage!
For flatness and interesting riding you could leave Montreal via the Jasques Cartier Bridge and take the Velo Route 1 to Chambly, along a nice canal path, then south to the Noyan/Alburgh crossing. From there, continue down route 2 on the Champlain Islands; nice riding, with the lake on both sides with the Greens and the Adirondacks in the distance. The Champlain Bike Path takes you into Burlington. There you pick up the Cross Vermont trail, 60 miles to Onion River campground, and 30 more to Wells River on the state line. Across the bridge, in Woodsville, NH, is the beginning of the Cross New Hampshire Adventure Trail, 40 miles to Israel River Campground, and 40 more to Bethel Maine. Both cross state routes have websites and maps.
Bon Voyage!
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09-30-23, 08:58 PM
#15
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Things have progressed since I last rode through northern New England 50 years ago. One of my closest calls ever was on Maine Route 2, all up, down, left, right, heavy traffic and no shoulder. At least that's how I remember it. Had my front wheel slide out in sand when I was forced off the pavement by one of the countless big trucks going by inches from my ear. We finally gave up and hitched a ride in the back of a pickup truck 60 miles to Bangor. I see that there is now a pretty good shoulder in many parts, though other parts still without.
10-01-23, 04:49 AM
#16
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First, I second Indyfabz's advice to check trail conditions since there are probably washouts.
For flatness and interesting riding you could leave Montreal via the Jasques Cartier Bridge and take the Velo Route 1 to Chambly, along a nice canal path, then south to the Noyan/Alburgh crossing. From there, continue down route 2 on the Champlain Islands; nice riding, with the lake on both sides with the Greens and the Adirondacks in the distance. The Champlain Bike Path takes you into Burlington. There you pick up the Cross Vermont trail, 60 miles to Onion River campground, and 30 more to Wells River on the state line. Across the bridge, in Woodsville, NH, is the beginning of the Cross New Hampshire Adventure Trail, 40 miles to Israel River Campground, and 40 more to Bethel Maine. Both cross state routes have websites and maps.
Bon Voyage!
For flatness and interesting riding you could leave Montreal via the Jasques Cartier Bridge and take the Velo Route 1 to Chambly, along a nice canal path, then south to the Noyan/Alburgh crossing. From there, continue down route 2 on the Champlain Islands; nice riding, with the lake on both sides with the Greens and the Adirondacks in the distance. The Champlain Bike Path takes you into Burlington. There you pick up the Cross Vermont trail, 60 miles to Onion River campground, and 30 more to Wells River on the state line. Across the bridge, in Woodsville, NH, is the beginning of the Cross New Hampshire Adventure Trail, 40 miles to Israel River Campground, and 40 more to Bethel Maine. Both cross state routes have websites and maps.
Bon Voyage!
Just checked. Camping season ended on 9/12.
Last edited by indyfabz; 10-01-23 at 05:20 AM.
10-03-23, 09:53 AM
#17
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Hello everyone, https://ridewithgps.com/routes/44605312
This is the route that I would take to NH but it is supposed to rain and have snow showers during the days that I would bike (5 oct - 9 oct), and I checked that all the roads were open using this website https://newengland511.org/ (but that was 4 days ago). Unless the weather gets better, I will have to wait for another long weekend, but I will save the route potentially for spring. Unless there is no snow on x-mas and new years, which is my next long weekend.
Either way biking to Maine has similar weather with rain this weekend which is unfortunate
This is the route that I would take to NH but it is supposed to rain and have snow showers during the days that I would bike (5 oct - 9 oct), and I checked that all the roads were open using this website https://newengland511.org/ (but that was 4 days ago). Unless the weather gets better, I will have to wait for another long weekend, but I will save the route potentially for spring. Unless there is no snow on x-mas and new years, which is my next long weekend.
Either way biking to Maine has similar weather with rain this weekend which is unfortunate
