RANGELEY

A SUMMER PARADISE

Text by BOBBIE RANDOLPH

MAINE’S RANGELEY LAKES REGION INCLUDES MORE THAN THE 10-SQUARE-MILE LAKE itself, extending to five other large lakes and hundreds of smaller lakes and ponds. Add rivers and streams, two mountains – Saddleback and The Horn — just east of the lake, and mile after mile of forests and what do you get? A paradise for those who love the great outdoors and all the activities it invites. Fishing, swimming, kayaking, canoeing, hiking, climbing, camping, cycling, wildlife watching, or just lazing beside the lake – whatever your summer bliss, you’ll find it here.

Hikers and climbers have their choice of woodland trails or several mountains. Bald Mountain Hiking Trail, between Rangeley and Mooselookmeguntic lakes, climbs to an altitude of 2,443 feet for 360-degree views over both lakes.

AJ Cycles (207-8642850) on Maine Street in downtown Rangeley rents and sells fat bikes. They are a full-service bike shop, if your bike needs a tune-up or repairs. Take a rental from AJ’s to the extensive network of trails at the Rangeley Lakes Trail Center (RANGELEYLAKESTRAILSCENTER. COM).

Golfers will appreciate the scenic Mingo Springs Golf Course, a favorite of both beginners and scratch players. Although the course is relatively short, it’s challenging, and birders love it for the variety of species that nest alongside the course.

All the lakes and ponds surrounded by forest make a prime wildlife habitat, and moose-watching and photography is one of the region’s most popular activities.

With lakes on every side, it’s hard not to spend some time enjoying water sports. Lakeside Park, on Main Street in Rangeley, has a free sandy beach with lifeguards, picnic tables and changing rooms, while Rangeley Lake State Park, on the lake’s south shore, has a beach with lifeguards; it charges a small day-use fee.

To explore the lakes and ponds and enjoy the wildlife that make their homes on the shore, rent a canoe or kayak at Ecopelagicon Kayak

Rentals (ecopelagicon.com) on Pond Street in Rangeley. Single and double kayaks, canoes, and standup paddleboards can be rented by the hour, day, or week. Ecopelagicon also offers tours and lessons in all three sports. (continued)

GREAT CONTENT We feature 100% locally sourced content. So email subscribe@activitymaine.com with your ideas!

RANGELEY

You can find equipment and clothing for all your water sports and other outdoor activities at Rangeley Region Sports Shop in Rangeley or at Rivers Edge Sports Shop in Oquossoc.

The area has plenty more lodging options. The Rangeley Inn and Tavern located in the center of Rangeley, and has renovated accommodations in the historic inn or at the Haley Pond Lodge on the waterfront. All rooms feature a private bathroom, satellite TV, WiFi, and a coffee maker.

Choose from rooms with one king bed or two queen beds, or suites with one or two bedrooms. Some rooms offer a minifridge and microwave. Sit down to a relaxed breakfast in the elegant historic dining room or warm up by the fire in the rustic tavern. Take a stroll down Main Street to a number of local shops, galleries, and eateries. If you’re packing for an excursion, Rangeley’s shops feature a variety of items to suit your needs.

Caryn Dreyfuss can help you find your own little spot of heaven in the Rangeley region, whether it’s a cozy cabin in the woods or a family-sized lakeside retreat.

GOLF COURSE

Since 1923

Caryn Dreyfuss, Broker

Buying? Selling? Investing?

Contact Me Directly

2478 Main Street, Rangeley, ME • Cell (207) 233-8275 caryndreyfuss@morton-furbish.com • realestateinrangeley.com

WILTON

Welcome! On Memorial Day weekend 2022, Anna Lehmann-Halter and Jesse Halter began their careers as the new owners of the WILSON LAKE INN! This life transition is a true family affair as they bring with them Anna's mother, Dorothy Lehmann as their Business Manager, Anna’s sister, Erin and nieces, Alyssa and Kara who are learning the housekeeping trade. Anna and Erin are originally from Maine and moved away as teenagers to Delaware with their parents. Jesse is from Delaware, but grew to love Maine through the years of visiting family in the Pine Tree State. For the past 15 years, their family has come back to Maine and stayed at Wilson Lake Inn on vacation. They got to know the owners as well as the area and fell in love with Maine again. Anna’s and Jesse's goal is to continue to celebrate family values and help support family togetherness. They are looking to utilize their charming lakeside setting to book weddings, anniversary parties, graduation parties, and other events. They are looking forward to building partnerships and creating packages with other local business in the region. Planned additions to the property include a gazebo and a fire pit with a seating area.

UMaine Farmington

Photos By Braden Brothers

Western Maine is nationally acclaimed as a four-season adventure destination – attracting outdoor enthusiasts from across North America and beyond. With outstanding whitewater rafting, hiking, kayaking, fat bike trails, ski areas, Nordic skiing, snowshoeingtrails and more, there’s something for everyone.

The region is also home to the University of Maine at Farmington (UMF), one of the University of Maine System campuses. It's a small school with a huge reputation -- for academic excellence, affordable value, and strong connection to the great outdoors. UMF has consistently been named "One of America's Best Colleges" by U.S. News & World Report,which also recognized it as a "Best Value School" and a "Top Performer in Social Mobility." Washington Monthly named UMF a “A Top Bachelor’s College” and a “Best Bang for Your Buck” school.

The small college is situated at the gateway to Sugarloaf, Saddleback, and Sunday River ski areas, and is at the epicenter of some of the best hiking, mountain biking, canoeing, kayaking, camping, and rafting in the northeast. Miles of trail running and mountain bike trails are right off campus and Farmington’s Titcomb Mountain Ski area is just seven minutes away. The Sandy River runs beside UMF’s athletics fields, ideal for swimming, paddling. and fishing. Or hike the Flint and Bonny Woods trails a short walk up the street from campus. A quick drive takes Farmington college students to Mt. Blue State Park, the Appalachian Trail, Tumbledown Mountain, and Wilson and Clearwater Lakes. To capitalize on its ideal location, UMF offers a unique Outdoor Recreation Business Administration major (ORBA). It combines students’ passion for the great outdoors with marketable skills, allowing them to get jobs in the outdoor recreation industry or to start their own business. ORBA was developed in collaboration with business leaders in the outdoor and tourism industry and requires an in-person internship, giving students real-world experience – and valuable professional contacts. UMF also offers an Alpine Operations Certificate for students in any major. It provides core skills specific to the skiing industry and prepares students to earn PSIA Level-1 certification. Alpine Ops uses Farmington’s Titcomb Mountain as its on-hill learning lab.

Participating in active outdoors adventures is inexpensive at UMF. All full-time students get a free season pass to Titcomb Mountain and free learn-to-ski and learn-to-ride lessons. And its popular Mainely Outdoors adventure program offers students guided trips, clinics, and events: such as hiking Tumbledown Mountain, overnight camping at Acadia National Park, mountain biking the Carrabassett Rail Trail, skiing at Sugarloaf, overnight camping at Gulf Hagas, hiking the Poplar Stream Falls trail, snowshoeing, or learning to Ski-&-Ride at Titcomb Mountain. It even rents out mountain bikes, canoes, kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, camping gear, snowshoes, Nordic skis, and more. “The school provides amazing opportunities for those who love the outdoors,” said Mainely Outdoors student employee and UMF Environmental Planning and Policy major Avery Boucher “And if you're not already an outdoors enthusiast, UMF will do everything to help introduce you a ton of great outdoor adventures – right in our backyard.” If you’re into the outdoors, the University of Maine at Farmington is a perfect location to spend your college years.

Follow your outdoor passions to find your dream career