Snowshoe hikes at Mushers Bowl set

BRIDGTON — Join Loon Echo Land Trust for a moderate snowshoe hike to the summit of Bald Pate Mountain. There will be a hike on  January 21 and 22, beginning at 10 a.m. The hikes take approximately two hours. In the event that the dog sled race portion of the Musher’s Bowl Winter Carnival is cancelled, Loon Echo will hold the Saturday snowshoe hike with the Sunday hike being cancelled.

Hikers should wear appropriate winter clothing, bring snacks, water and snowshoes (a few pairs will be available upon request). Check in at the Bald Pate Mountain parking lot (just south of Five Fields Farm on the left) by 9:45 a.m. to register. Although there is no charge for the hike, there is a $5 charge for an admission button to the Mushers Bowl event.

Bald Pate Mountain Preserve is adjacent to Five Fields Farm, site of the Mushers Bowl. The dogsled races take place on groomed trails that weave through both the farm’s apple orchards and the 485-acre Bald Pate Mountain Preserve owned and managed by Loon Echo.

Bald Pate Mountain is located six miles south of Bridgton on Route 107. To get there from Bridgton, take Route 117 from Route 302 at Sandy Creek. Pass one stop sign and travel .6 mile. Turn left onto Route 107. Travel 3.4 miles. The Bald Pate parking lot is on the left at the top of the hill, just south of Five Fields Farm.

All Loon Echo hikes are free; however, donations are always welcome and will qualify for a one-year membership. Find out more about Loon Echo by visiting www.loonecholandtrust.org. For more information about these hikes, other Loon Echo events, or to reserve snowshoes, contact Jon Evans at jon@lelt.org or call 647-4352.