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All outdoor hikes and walks are subject to weather conditions and/or date changes. Please check this website for updates. Always wear appropriate clothing and footwear for the weather conditions and varied terrain. Bring water and snacks with you on the trail. Call (207) 647-4352 for more information.
Mushers Bowl Snowshoe Hikes: January 21 and 22
Join Loon Echo for moderate snowshoe hikes to the summit of Bald Pate Mountain in South Bridgton as part of the Mushers Bowl weekend at Five Fields Farm. Hikers should meet at the preserve’s main parking area at 9:45 AM to register for the 10:00 AM hikes. Bring snowshoes (some available by reservation). Approximately 2 hours.
Tracking Hike at Pondicherry Park: February 18
A guided snowshoe hike of the forgotten pastures of Pondicherry Park will have participants exploring the fields for various animal tracks on this easy-moderate hike. In the past the group sited moose, deer, beaver, fisher and many other animal sign. Bring snowshoes (some are available by reservation). Meet at the Bob Dunning Bridge on Depot Street at 8:45 AM for the 9:00 AM hike. Approximately 2 hours.
Snowfest: March 3 (Rescheduled from Feb. 19)
Loon Echo is excited to announce our first family Snowfest. Please join us for a day of fun and adventure from 11-2 at Five Fields Farms located on Route 107 in South Bridgton. We will offer timed cross country ski races for easy and intermediate levels, or you can don your snowshoes and participate in a scavenger hunt on Bald Pate Mountain. We will offer snowball throwing and best snowman making contests as well as an exciting game of ultimate Frisbee featuring skiers vs. shoers. Warm up by the open fire while enjoying hot chocolate, smores and delicious treats. The nominal fee of $10 for adults and $5 for children will include trail passes, food and prizes. Equipment rentals will be available for an additional charge. For more information, please contact us.
Sunrise Hike at Bald Pate Mountain: March 20
Do not miss Loon Echo’s annual tradition of welcoming the first sunrise of spring from the summit of Bald Pate Mountain in South Bridgton. Meet at the main parking area at 6:00 AM for this moderate to difficult hike. Sunrise is at 6:46 AM. Bring snowshoes and flashlights (some are available by reservation). Hot cocoa and donut “tailgate” party to follow! Approximately 2 hours.
Trail Maintenance at Pleasant Mountain: April 14
Join Loon Echo trail adopters and the Maine Chapter of the Appalachian Mountain Club for a day of important trail work on the Ledges Trail on Pleasant Mountain. Workers should come prepared for this moderate to difficult climb and work day. A good back pack is helpful. Some basic tools and training will be provided. Workers should meet at the trail head on Mountain road at 7:45 AM for the 8:00 AM hike. Approximately 6 hours.
Hawk Migration at Hacker’s Hill in Casco: April 22 (Rescheduled from April 21)
Dick Anderson, former director of Maine Audubon, will lead a spring hawk migration event from the summit of Casco’s incredible Hacker’s Hill. Park at the summit. Bring a chair and binoculars. The event will start at 9:00 AM or when the birds decide to pay a visit! The fall migration was a huge success, so let’s see what birds return from down south. Approximately 3 hours.
Earth Day Hike at Bald Pate Mountain: April 22
Help Loon Echo celebrate Earth Day 2012 with a moderate hike up Bald Pate Mountain in South Bridgton. In past years hikers have brought music, poetry and food to share. The group will then convene at Bray’s Brew Pub in Naples for a mug of Bald Pate Celebration Ale. Meet at the main parking area at 3:00 PM. Approximately 90 minutes.
Pleasant Mountain Bicycle Loop: May 6
We will meet in the parking lot of Shawnee Peak on Mountain Road in Bridgton at 8 AM. Our ride will take us down Mountain Road where we will enjoy views of Moose Pond and the east side of Pleasant Mountain. We will turn up Hio Ridge Road which offers views of Pleasant Mountain, then turning onto Route 302 for a short distance then back to Mountain Road. This is a rolling to slightly hilly 15 mile course. Pace will be determined by riders present and no one will be left behind. All riders should bring a helmet, water or sports drink, an energy bar and basic tire changing supplies.
Wildflower Walk at Mayberry Hill: May 12
Join Loon Echo for an easy walk through the Mayberry Hill Preserve to observe wildflowers (and black flies) in bloom! There are many interesting species close to the trail including lady slippers. Participants will meet at the kiosk off of Mayberry Hill Road for this 9 AM event. Don’t forget your camera! Approximately 2 hours.
Trail work at Pleasant Mountain: June 2
Lend a hand with Loon Echo for National Trails Day! Help us clean up and improve Bald Peak Trail at Pleasant Mountain with some drainage cleaning and brush clipping. Basic tools and training will be provided. A good back pack is helpful. Meet at the Bald Peak Trail head on Mountain Road at 7:45 AM for this moderate to difficult climb and work day. Approximately 6 hours.
Mayberry Hill Bicycle Loop: June 3
We will meet at the Crooked River Elementary School on Route 11 in Casco at 8 AM. Our ride will begin with a short distance on Route 11, turning onto Route 121 into Casco Village. We will pedal down Mayberry Hill Road and past our preserve, into Otisfield, turning back into Casco along the western side of Pleasant Lake with a final climb up Leach Hlll Road and back to the parking lot. This is a rolling to moderate hilly 20 mile course. Pace will be determined by riders present and no one will be left behind. All riders should bring a helmet, water or sports drink, an energy bar and basic tire changing supplies.
Family Paddle at Hancock Pond: June 9
Come paddle with Loon Echo. This moderate kayak/canoe trip on Hancock Pond in Sebago will offer beautiful views of Pleasant Mountain, Mount Washington and Bald Pate Mountain. Paddlers should meet at the public boat launch on Hancock Pond Road at 8:45 AM for the 9:00 AM paddle. Bring kayak/canoe, life jackets, sunscreen, hat, camera, food for a picnic and plenty of drinking water. Approximately 4 hours.
Summer Solstice Hike at Bald Pate Mountain: June 21
Celebrate the first day of summer with a moderate hike up Bald Pate Mountain and honor one of Loon Echo’s founders, Bob Chase, who loved the mountain and the views it provides. Meet at the Bald Pate main parking area at 5:00 PM. Approximately 2 hours.
Loon Echo Trek: September 15
Save the date as to not miss out on Maine’s premier bicycling and hiking event beginning and ending at Shawnee Peak in Bridgton. With a 100, 50 and 25 mile ride and a six mile hike, there is something for everyone. All proceeds from the Loon Echo Trek assist in our conservation efforts.
Pleasant Mountain Loop: May 6
We will meet in the parking lot of Shawnee Peak on Mountain Road in Bridgton at 8 a.m. Our ride will take us down Mountain Road where we will enjoy views of Moose Pond and the east side of Pleasant Mountain. We will turn up Lake Road in Denmark which offers views of the western side of Pleasant Mountain, turning onto Route 302 for a short distance then back to Mountain Road. This is a rolling to slightly hilly 15 mile course. Pace will be determined by riders present and no one will be left behind. All riders should bring water or sports drink, an energy bar and basic tire changing supplies.
Mayberry Preserve Loop June 3
We will meet at the Crooked River Elementary School on Route 11 in Casco at 8 a.m. Our ride will begin with a short distance on Route 11, turning onto Route 121 into Casco Village. We will pedal down Mayberry Hill Road and past our preserve, into Otisfield, turning back into Casco along the western side of Pleasant Lake with a final climb up Leach Hlll Road and back to the parking lot. This is a rolling to moderate hilly 20 mile course. Pace will be determined by riders present and no one will be left behind. All riders should bring water or sports drink, an energy bar and basic tire changing supplies.
Future events to be featured:
Hacker’s Hill Loop – July 1
Bald Pate Mountain Loop – August 5
Trek Preview Loop – September 2
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