Downeast Maine Coast Adventure

Wow!  It truly was another fun-filled and fabulous trip on the Downeast Maine Coast with a fab bunch of GO guys!  After a previous evening of schmoozing accompanied by copious amounts of pizza and a bit of vino, our first day of hiking brought us to the remote Great Wass Island, jutting out into the open ocean of the Atlantic.  Following aa approx. 2 mile hike through wonderful and rare coastal jack pines and spruce we jumped onto the open pink granite slab coast, realizing that we could not possibly have a had a better day for the adventure: sunny and warm (but not hot), with a magnificent fog bank looming off shore, but never quite reaching us as we hiked. The views out to the ocean, over the myriad of islands, and to Moospecke Light were breathtaking.  Following a windblown but restful lunch on Little Cape Point, we hiked on as Stephen and Greg clamored for the opportunity to jump into the ice cold waters.  Sure enough, they found the perfect calm pool and took the shocking plunge - made all the better in their birthday suits!  After a couple miles of the wonderful coastline hiking, we reluctanttly headed back through jack pine forests and through a mysteruous coastal bog where we made sure not to stick our fingers into the fiercesome carnivorous pitcher plants (Sarracenia Pupurea).  Once back again at Ed's beautiful cottage on Machias Bay, we had a scrumpitious BBQ, with burgers grilled to perfection by David and Greg.  The next day dawned to a wonderful coastal fog - so typical now and then for the Downeast Coast.  Our hike took us up to West Quoddy Head, the easternmost point of the mainland US, which has arguably one of the most picturesque lighthouses in the country.  The 5 miles hike was simply spectacular, the trail hugging the tall cliffbound coast, enveloped by tall spruce nestled in verdant beds of green moss.  One the way back, through the interior woodlands, we ventured through another rare coastal bog, trying to avoid the scary pitcher plants again, but also savoring the rare & delicious backed apple berries (Rubus chamaemorus) and marveling at the red shagnum moss.  There was enough to celebrate on our last night together, toasting with yet more vino, this time over a delicous dinner of homemade lasagna.  We all agreed that the trip was beyond compare - and we all agreed to meet up on the trails soon!  The "official" GO trip may have ended, but three of us (Carlos, Greg and Ed) soon after headed up to magnificent Campobello Island, just over the short bridge to Canada from picturesque Lubec.  There we took a spectacular coastline hike from Duck Poond Cove, to Liberty Point, then to Ragged Point, all the while taking in the breathtaking views of the azure Atlantic, and the looming mass of fabled Grand Manan Island, just off the coast.  The guys wound up their island visit with a walk over to the East Quoddy Head Lighthouse, accessible only at low tide via rusted metal ladders and slippery, seaweed-covered rocks.  But it sure was worth it, as we all agreed that it had to be THE most picturesesque light house on the entire east coast (US & Canada, that is)!   

This will be an exciting several days on the wild, spectacular and untrammeled Downeast Coast of Maine. Our two full days, Sun. (7/17) and Mon. (7/18), will focus on two of the most scenic hikes on this part of the coast. On Sun. (7/17), we'll drive up to Lubec and hike through two preserves in the newly formed Cobscook Shores Park System: Denbow Bluffs and Point on scenic Cobscook Bay, likely spotting bald eagles and seals on the trails skirting the spruce-lined, rockbound coves.  That afternoon, we'll walk out to the West Quoddy Lighthouse, one of the most picturesque on the Atlantic seaboard, where we'll spot some whales if we're lucky!  On Mon. (7/18), we'll hike on remote Great Wass Island, a preserve of the Nature Conservancy that extends out into the Atlantic. This 5 mile hike will take us across spectacular rocky headland shores with open ocean views and through an unusual maritime forest with rare coastal jackpines and heaths with carvnivorous plants such as sundews and pitcher plants. Optional hike on Tuesday, 7/19, through the breathtaking Western Head Preserve in Cutler featuring a dramatic cliff walk on a stretch of the wild Bold Coast.  

This will definitely be a fun and memorable trip. I can recommend reasonably-priced accommodations for your stay in Machiasport/Machias for the three nights (7/16, 7/17, 7/18). The first night, we'll all meet at 6:00 pm at my house in Machiasport (see directions) for a pizza dinner and schmoozing. The other two nights we'll also get together for dinner, including a cookout.  There will be a very small donation for dinners for two nights ($8-10/night).  If you have any questions, please be sure to give me a shout!