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Mont Megantic: C'st Bon!!!
There was nothing but rave reviews Saturday after two dozen
snow enthusiasts caravanned across the border for a day of cross country skiing
and snowshoeing in the Parc Du Mont Megantic.
The provincial park, located just an hour from Sugarloaf in
the province of Quebec, offers 38 m of challenging cross country trails and 30
km of snowshoeing trails, including the 10.7 climb to the top of Mont Megantic.
It was the first outing to the park for the Carrabassett
Valley Outdoor Association… but it won’t be the last.
“Let’s do this every year,” said Helen Poulin, who skied the
17.4 km black diamond Andromede Trail The vote was unanimous.
“This place has been on my radar for years,” said Mike
Rifkin, who led the “A Team” on the Andromede Trail.
CVOA members were greeted by about 4 inches of soft, fluffy
snow .. and flakes still falling .. when they arrived at the park at 9:30 am
Saturday. Snow continued to fall but the wind could be heard more than felt as
the group took to the hilly trails rising and falling throughout the woods.
Several snowshoers pushed their way up to the summit of Mont
Megantic while others climbed to the warming huts for lunch, hiked around the
lower trails or took the “Shuttle Suburu” to the peak.
“Tough climb,” said Sandy Osterrieder. "Love to go back!"
Linda Trueworthy, one of the hikers, said severla members climbed to the 1105 m. summit while others enjoyed the views from the scenic overlook about a quarter mile from the top.
"Very picturesque," said Linda, whose group stopped at the warming hut for lunch, marvelling at the quality of the huts, the fabulous snow and the magificent trail system.
"We all enjoyed the views of Lac Megantic and the surrounding mountains and hills all covered in snow," she said.
Members of the group made informal plans to return for
hiking next summer .. and definite plans to put the provincial park on CVOA’s
2012 adventure calendar.
Following the outdoor adventure, the caravan pointed towards
Piopolis and the home of Nadene and Johnno Macleod for some Canadian fare and
beer. Nadene, of WSKI, offered to host the appreciative crew, which couldn’t
offer enough [praise for her hospitality.
The diversity of the 600-member outdoor organization was
quite apparent during the border crossings, when members of the group handed
their passports to the border guards, who were surprised to see membership in a
single car range from Kingfield to Belfast to New York.
What’s the connection, he wondered?
Carrabassett Valley … and CVOA … was the answer!!!
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