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Appalachian National Scenic Trail, Maine – Volunteer Vacations 2022

September 25, 2022 - October 1, 2022

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Help protect the Appalachian Trail (A.T.) and enjoy the rugged beauty of Maine’s 100-Mile Wilderness! On this project, we will monitor and maintain the boundaries of the land protected for the Trail. This public land is the backbone of the largest natural corridor that remains east of the Mississippi River, creating a haven and migration path for humans and animals alike. Maintaining the boundaries of this land helps to protect it from encroachments such as motorized vehicles and timber theft. Using a GPS, map, and compass, the crew will follow the surveyed boundaries of the trail corridor. We will clear brush with loppers, paint trees, replace US Boundary signs, and record the condition of metal survey markers, called “monuments.” Each day, we will duck into the woods just off the A.T., find the boundary, and leap-frog each other as we move along. At the end of the day, we’ll hike back on the A.T. and be amazed at how much ground we covered! Teams will maintain up to 1 mile of boundary line and hike 2 or more miles per day. Maine is especially wonderful this time of year. After experiencing the rugged beauty of the trail, volunteers will enjoy the full-service Lily Bay State Park campground on the shores of Moosehead Lake. We hope you join us on this challenging and rewarding project. Volunteers like you are the heart and soul of the Appalachian Trail!

AHS acknowledges with gratitude that this project takes place on the traditional lands of the Wabanaki (Dawnland Confederacy), Nanrantsouak and Abenaki / Abénaquis peoples past and present. We honor the land itself, the Indigenous communities who have stewarded this land for generations, and those who continue to steward these lands today. AHS invites all volunteers to join us in our commitment to support and amplify the work of Indigenous communities as they work to dismantle the systems of oppression that these communities continue to face today.

Host

Appalachian Trail Conservancy

Accommodations

Car Camping Tent Sites

Hiking/Access

Day hiking up to 3 miles each work day.

Project Rating

Difficult

Minimum Volunteer Age

16

Maximum Group Size

10

Area and Attractions

The 100-Mile Wilderness is the name given to the next-to-last section of the Appalachian Trail on its 2,180-mile route from Springer Mountain, Georgia, to Katahdin in Maine. This vast expanse of forests and mountains, lakes and ponds, and rivers and streams, about 750,000 acres in all, ranges from the village of Monson just south of Moosehead Lake to Abol Bridge on the West Branch of the Penobscot River, on the Golden Road at the doorstep of Baxter State Park. While not formally a wilderness area by any legal definition, the 100MW region is nonetheless very primitive and wild. Lily Bay State Park is located along the east shore of beautiful Moosehead Lake just 9 miles north of Greenville. This 925-acre park offers year-round activities and camping. Amenities include a swim beach, playground, two boat ramps with boat slips, and a two-mile shoreline walking trail. Greenville is a community-minded town at the southern edge of Maine's largest lake that serves as the gateway to the Moosehead Lake region, providing numerous outdoor recreation activities throughout the year. It is a small, quiet community of under 2,000 but with a nice collection of stores, restaurants, and other attractions. Though the area relies upon visitors to Moosehead Lake, it doesn't feel touristy. Greenville has retained its genuine, small town Maine feel. You won't find any big box stores or restaurant franchises here, just family owned and operated businesses.

Accommodations Description

Lily Bay State Park on Moosehead Lake offers waterfront camping at the gateway to Maine's North Woods, a destination renowned for its outdoor recreation opportunities (from hiking and canoeing to fishing and wildlife watching). The 925-acre park provides two distinct camping areas bordering the lake with 90 well-spaced, wooded and waterfront campsites with fire-places, tables, interspersed with water spigots and vault toilets. There is a swimming beach, picnic area, playground, two boat ramps, dumping station (no RV hookups), and a 2-mile shoreline walking trail. Campers will enjoy hot showers after the day's work in the woods. Volunteers and ATC staff will all contribute to cooking the week's breakfasts and dinners on Coleman 2 burner camp stoves. We will be making lunches in the morning and taking them to the woods with us. Volunteers should bring their own tent, sleeping bag and pad, cup/bowl/eating utensils, personal items and full body rain gear. Please contact volunteer@americanhiking.org for assistance with gear needs.

Travel

Portland International Jetport in Portland, Maine is the closest airport. Airport pick up and drop off is available for volunteers and will be arranged upon confirmation of the trip.

Location

Lily Bay State Park
425 Lily Bay Rd, Beaver Cove, ME 04441 United States + Google Map
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