February is in full swing. The weather is staying cold which is helping keep the snow conditions reasonable. It’s strange that Washington DC is getting all of the big storms this year. Maybe the powers that be don’t want Congress to do anymore work. Who knows maybe they should all come to Maine and XC ski and snowmobile or just chill out.

Moosehead Lake is beautiful this time of year. The frozen lake makes a perfect landing site for our plane. It’s also perfect for hiking or snowmobiling.

I learned an interesting fact about Canada Jays, a bird that used to be very common in this area. They have been moving north to cooler climates.While there are still some in the area there are fewer than in the past. This curious bird starts stashing food for winter during the fall.

Tweet This Post Facebook

Winter is in full swing now. The lake is safe to ride on if you know where to go. We do guided snowmobile trips on the frozen lake combined with tours to remote lodges for lunch stops. I do not recommend that anyone venture out on the ice who does not know the area. The photo below was taken this week at Big Duck Cove on Moosehead Lake. The ice on shore was formed from large waves caused by  big winds just before the lake froze up.

Winter weather and winds do strange things to the lake.

The days are getting longer now, with sunset at 5:30 or later now.

Nights in Yurts can be nice this time of year for cross country skiers at The Birches. The cross country skiing is good now, with warm days in the 20′s.

Get winter while you can.

Tweet This Post Facebook

Moosehead Lake from the plane

The weather  this week has been very cold. We have had a few mini-storms lately. Our snow base is very solid and the cross country skiing and snowmobiling is good to excellent in all areas to the North, East and West of The Birches.

The lake is frozen solid now and there is active ice fishing happening.

The month of February is the best time to get out and enjoy Moosehead Lake during the winter.

Tweet This Post Facebook

January is almost gone now. We survived the rain in relatively good shape. The xc skiing is good on all trails. There is still enough snow to groom. The lake is very frozen. We have had below zero nights lately. Snowmobiling is actually very good considering that we had that warm spell. I have been flying regularly on the lake at The Birches. Have a great rest of your weekend.

Tweet This Post Facebook

January is moving on very fast. It has been a beautiful month with great winter temperatures for outdoor activities. We have only had a small number if days with below zero readings. The ice in front of The Birches is safe now for activities. I have been flying my ski plane off of the ice for a few days now. The ice fishing is really good now as is the XC skiing and snowmobiling. The days are starting to get longer now. At least a full 40 minutes more than December 21. The best of winter is about to be here. Nice warm days in the 30′s and clear nights for star gazers.

Winter is a great time to spend a night or two in one of our Yurts.  Get it while you can.

Have a great Maine day.

Tweet This Post Facebook

Good Morning,

Moosehead lake is frozen now, but anyone venturing out on the ice should be careful. The winter is off to a good start with pleasant temperatures and lots of snow. This has been a relatively warm January so far. The winter sports are great with plenty of good snow for all activities. Snowshoeing is fun this time of year and is great exercise for all.

More later..have a great day

Tweet This Post Facebook

It has been cold here the past week. The lake is completely frozen and people are ice fishing out in front of The Birches. Snowmobile are crossing from Rockwood to MT Kineo now. Check with locals before crossing. I will be flying off of the ice starting this weekend. Winter is in full swing and there is lots of snow. Did you know that there is access to many thousands of acres of wetlands during winter because everything s frozen. I regularly fly to remote water bodies during the winter and xc ski the frozen back water streams and bogs. It is so quiet out there..no snowmobiles and only frozen beauty and wildlife.  The Maine woods are fantastic where there has been good forestry. Proper forestry leave woodlands with good cover and some mature trees.

The forest that surrounds The Birches is managed for recreation and timber products. You can ski , snowmobile and hike through many miles of nice forest at all times.

There are moose, deer, fox,coyotes, rabbits, bobcats and Canada Lynx on our property.

Now is a good time to hike out on the frozen lake at night to view the Milky Way Galaxy (our home galaxy). The stars are amazing on a clear cold night. Dress warm and enjoy.

The Birches is in full swing now with all ski trails and Yurts opened.

All snowmobile trails are now opened and groomed three to four nights per week.

Have a great day.

Tweet This Post Facebook

The best early snow we have had in years. The lake is frozen and all trails are excellent.  I need to get out there skiing..it is absolutely awesome with over two feet of powder everywhere. More to come later.

Tweet This Post Facebook

We had 5 inches of snow last night. It is turning cold now. The last few days of 09 will be cold but snowy. The lake in front of The Birches should freeze soon. It is ready to freeze as soon as the wind stops for a day or so. Usually the lake will freeze completely over in one calm night. Quite a transformation as I wake up one morning and the whole lake is ice. I will post a picture of that when it happens any day now. Brassua Lake (the one just behind The Birches)is already frozen. I was skiing on that snow covered lake yesterday. Skiing on frozen lakes when there is a small amount of powder on them is a real treat. I am anxious to get my ski plane out on the lake as soon as it is frozen and safe. The cold January weather is almost upon us now. The deer are still roaming until the snow gets so deep that they have a hard time moving around. We are still seeing moose roaming too.

Moosehead Lake may be a five hour drive from Boston, but it is so quiet and special that it is worth the extra effort to get here. Winter here is still like the old days. Here you can just hear the sound of the wind at times.

Enjoy your new year.

Tweet This Post Facebook

It is cold out today. The lake will freeze any day now.. It is cold enough but the wind needs to stop for a day or so, then it will freeze rapidly. We received 5 inches of new snow last night , giving us a great 16 inch base with powder skiing.

We survived the shortest day of the year. It can only get better from here. The 21st was the shortest day of the year and they will be getting approximately 3 minutes longer each day from now on until June 21. The short days will give up the cold needed to keep our trails in great shape.

Did you know that Moosehead Lake is almost 80,000 acres. When that is frozen,it makes the most amazing front yard for snowmobiling, Xc skiing and ice fishing. A short walk onto the frozen lake at night will allow you to see the Milky Way and other stars brighter than you have ever seen them. Bring binoculars.

I am off to plow some snow. Have a great day.

Tweet This Post Facebook