Written by Friends of KWW Education Coordinator, Elise Goplerud In my time working with Friends of Katahdin Woods & Waters over the past four years, I’ve prioritized exploring the Monument’s recreational opportunities. From camping to skiing, I’ve done it all—except hunting, an often-overlooked activity in the Monument. Unlike most national parks, Katahdin Woods & Waters …
Posted: February 7, 2025 by Elise Goplerud
An Unforgettable Youth Ski to Haskell Hut
Over the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend, six local middle and high school students joined Friends’ Education Coordinator Elise Goplerud and Outdoor Sport Institute’s Dan Rogan on a journey they won’t soon forget: an overnight cross-country ski trip to Haskell Hut. These students, invited as part of a special leadership program, had proven their …
Posted: January 8, 2025 by Elise Goplerud
Hunting for Grouse in KAWW’s Seboeis Parcel – Trip Report
Written by Friends of KWW Education Coordinator, Elise Goplerud In my time working with Friends of Katahdin Woods & Waters over the past four years, I’ve prioritized exploring the Monument’s recreational opportunities. From camping to skiing, I’ve done it all—except hunting, an often-overlooked activity in the Monument. Unlike most national parks, Katahdin Woods & Waters …
Posted: February 29, 2024 by Sarah Andre
For Cross-country Skiing, Cross Your Fingers and Head North
Development Coordinator Sarah Andre shares some of her favorite ski spots in the Katahdin Region. A resident of southern Maine, traveling to the Katahdin Region in winter is her favorite perk of working for Friends! The photos and words below reflect conditions on January 29th, 2024. As of February 29th, a major rain and warming …
Posted: January 26, 2024 by Elise Goplerud
2024 Grooming in the Monument
Looking for a place to cross country ski or snowshoe? Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument provides groomed and tracked trails for cross country skiing and snowshoeing! Enter at the North Gate where you will find a plowed parking lot and vault toilet. In the winter, foot traffic only is permitted beyond the gate. Visit …
Posted: September 25, 2023 by Sarah Andre
Brian’s Park Story – The Land Invites Us
Executive Director Brian Hinrichs’ relationship with Katahdin Woods and Waters will be familiar to many of our readers. From curiousity to apprehension (the roads! no cell service!) to a genuine connection, Brian’s park story takes us through the seasons and stages of discovering places within the national monument that create lifelong family memories. Over the …
Posted: June 28, 2023 by Sarah Andre
Trip Report: Seboeis River Paddle
Outside good cell service, away from wall clocks and computers, there are many ways to experience time in Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument. Alternative time-telling questions in this neck of the woods include: Have the fiddleheads come up? Which wildflowers are growing? How are the blackflies? And one of my favorites, what’s the water …
Posted: April 20, 2023 by Sarah Andre
My Park Story – Car Camping at the Upper East Branch
Inspired by the National Park Service–we are excited to bring you more stories this year–Your Park Stories! Throughout 2023, we are sharing stories of meaningful place-based experiences in Katahdin Woods and Waters from the NPS, visitors, the Katahdin region, and Friends. Read on as I share my first monument camping trip as a gentle nudge …
Posted: June 18, 2019 by Sarah Andre
Trip Report: Paddle on the East Branch of the Penobscot River from Bowlin Camps to Hay Brook
Story and photos by Sam Deeran, Friends of Katahdin Woods and Waters On the drive to Medway, Maine, my friend Audrey and I realized it was ten years ago, to the day, that we had made our first journey into the Maine woods together. You can travel far and wide, but the Maine woods will …
Posted: June 17, 2019 by Sarah Andre
Trip Report: AMC Thru-Hike of the IAT in the Monument
Story and photos by Stephen Brezinski, AMC Maine Trip Leader When I wanted to lead an AMC group backpack for beginners and intermediate level hikers, Katahdin Woods & Waters National Monument was the obvious choice for me. The area features good wide trails over rolling hills, several not-too-challenging peaks with good views, a good size …
Posted: February 27, 2019 by Sarah Andre
Trip Report: Staff Trip to Haskell Hut
Presidents’ Day weekend, the full staff of the Friends of Katahdin Woods and Waters (all four of us!) headed into the north end of the Monument for some quality time together. I just came on as the new Friends Membership Coordinator at the end of January, so I was excited to spend a few days …