This cross-country ski loop is a part of AMC's Maine Woods Initiative winter trail network. The trails are groomed for the public and connect from the Winter Parking Lot to AMC's Maine Wilderness Lodges: Gorman Chairback Lodge and Little Lyford Lodge and Cabins. While many lodge guests use the trails for multi-day lodge to lodge trips, there is a combination of loops ideal for day skiers from the Winter Parking Lot. The trails are groomed but not tracked for skiing. Some sections of trail are shared with snowmobilers, but are well-signed. Please follow instructions of signs when skiing on shared trails. The initial stretch of trail traverses Plum Creek conservation land while the majority of the loop is on AMC conservation lands. Trail maps can be obtained at AMC's Greenville office (15 Moosehead Lake Road) or at the Winter Parking Lot.
From the Winter Parking Lot (WPL) the trail is initially only shared only with AMC management snowmobiles and is located on the KI road. The trail immediately descends a long hill with an up-sloping run-out. The trails bears left and at 1.3 miles from the WPL you will see a large AMC property sign at an intersection with the Hedgehog Gate Trail and the Trout Brook Trail. For this loop, turn right onto the Trout Brook Trail, which is a ski-only trail. The trail stays on an old logging road before jogging left into into a closed forest canopy. Soon after at 0.9 mile from the KI Road turnoff the Phoenix Shelter on Trout Pond will be on your left. In the winter the shelter can be used on a first-come-first serve basis. In the summer reservation must be made through the Ki-Jo Mary Forest System.
0.6 mile past the shelter the trail intersects with the Long Pond Road which is shared with snowmobiles. Turn left, keeping to the road. In another .9 mile turn left onto the Gorman Lodge Trail, keeping left at .5 mile and continuing another 1.1 mile to the KI Road, which is shared between skiers and snowmobiles. Please follow signs indicating which side to stay to. Turn left onto to KI Road, bearing left at the Hedgehog Gate House. You will soon again arrive at the intersection of the KI Road and the Trout Brook Trail, re-tracing your route the last 1.3 miles to the Winter Parking Lot.
Some sections of trail are shared with either AMC management snowmobiles or with designated snowmobile trails open to the public. We ask that snowmobilers and skiers obey signs indicating which side of the trail to stay to. The Phoenix Shelter on Trout Pond is open for day use and is an ideal location to escape from the weather. The Hedgehog Gate House is not open in the winter and is not available for shelter or any services.
This trail passes through a property that was acquired in part with funds from the Land for Maine’s Future program. For more information about the LMF program and the places it has helped to protect, please visit the LMF webpage.
Visit Appalachian Mountain Club online for more information or contact:
Appalachian Mountain Club, Greenville OfficeUpon arriving in the center of Greenville via Rt. 15 North, proceed north one block. Turn right onto Pleasant Street after about a mile the road's name changes to East Road. After 2 miles the road becomes gravel and its name changes again to the KI Road. Proceed for 8 miles to the Winter Parking Lot.
Success! A new password has been emailed to you.
