Enjoy these beautiful Maine photographs by longtime NRCM member Linda Woods of Waterville. Linda shares her love of Maine’s environment, especially Maine’s mountains, through her photography. You will see from these photos that one of Linda’s favorite places—during all four seasons—is Grafton Notch State Park in western Maine.
My husband and I just got back from our annual trip to Grafton Notch, my favorite place on earth. The falls are located on the side of Old Speck Mountain about 30 minutes up on snowshoes from a snowmobile trail. (Translation: over an hour to get there by skis & snowshoes.)
My husband and I just got back from our annual trip to Grafton Notch, my favorite place on earth. The falls are located on the side of Old Speck Mt. about 30 minutes up on snowshoes from a snowmobile trail. (Translation: over an hour to get there by skis & snowshoes.)
This is "the Eyebrow," part of Old Speck Mt., taken from the hiking trail parking lot. We did not climb it (but we have before).
Baldpate at sunset from a snowmobile trail somewhere in Grafton Notch
My husband and I hiked around Weld on Labor Day. In the morning, we did Blueberry Mountain, which has a beautiful view at the summit. This photo is of Webb Lake from the summit of Bald Mountain, which we climbed in the afternoon. As you can see, it was a gorgeous day with plenty of sunshine and a clear sky.
This is Baldpate Mountain from a snowmobile trail. It was a snowy, 20-degree day. This is where we stopped for our picnic lunch during a day of cross-country skiing. This is our favorite mountain, so we climb it regularly.
This is Chimney Pond from Baxter Peak on July 26. People say the most photographed spot in Maine is Camden Harbor from Mt. Battie (thanks to Edna St. Vincent Millay). I suspect that this view of Chimney Pond is probably second most photographed.
This is a view of Bigelow Mt. from the Stratton Brook crossing on the Fire Warden's Trail. Bigelow's West Peak (which we didn't do) is 4,145 ft. Thanks to the people of Maine in 1976, Bigelow Preserve offers a variety of trails suitable for hikers of all ages. I was accompanied by my husband, my cousin, and his ten-year-old daughter. We did a loop that included Horns Pond. Fun!
This photo was taken looking at the Bigelows from Pleasant Pond Mountain. With an elevation of 2447 feet, Pleasant Pond Mountain is a mere bump on the Appalachian Trail, but it makes for an easy hike on a hot Monday (7/15). Thankfully it wasn't as hazy as I anticipated. Nice views, good breeze, and very few bugs.
This photo was taken on the way down Bald Mountain in Weld. I thought the contrast of the red blueberry leaves with the gray granite was interesting. This mountain (and Bald Mountain) provides the "best bang for the buck." Both mountains are steep, short, and spectacular.
My husband and I climbed Blueberry Mt. in the morning and Bald Mt. in the afternoon. Since these are small jaunts, we combine them with a stop at the bakery in downtown Weld in between. These mountains provide beautiful 360 views from the summits. It was a perfect day! This photo was taken from Blueberry Mt. looking west.
Bold Coast in Washington County. There are multiple trails here. Some would be suitable for older children. We did an 8+ mile loop and were amazed at the sights we saw. It's impressive.
Another photo of the Bold Coast. There are multiple trails here. Some would be suitable for older children. We did an 8+ mile loop and were amazed at the sights we saw. It's impressive.
What an awesome sight - Chimney Pond -especially after coming up Abol and down the Saddle.
This is a picture of some doll's eyes I found on the road by my house. (2011)
Fireweed at Great Wass Island (I think of these as a reminder to look for the beauty in everyone, even those considered "weeds.")
A photo of Flagstaff Lake from Cranberry Peak, taken in October, 2013.
I'm experimenting with pictures of ice. I call these "suspended animation." Grafton Notch
Grafton Notch. The power of the sun to break through the darkness could serve as quite a metaphor for our lives.
This waterfall is well-hidden on the north side of Old Speck Mt. There is a "secret" snowshoe trail to reach it. Finding it is a pleasant reward.
I'm experimenting with pictures of ice. I call these "suspended animation." Grafton Notch
In February, my husband and I spent time in my favorite place on earth: Grafton Notch. There was plenty of snow there for cross-country skiing or snowmobiling. After two days of seven-hour ski jaunts, we took a day off to snowshoe. This picture is of The Cataracts, a frozen wonderland off the East B Hill Rd. in Andover. The trail meanders along a frozen waterfall of spectacular sights, colors, and sound. (Not recommended for young children or people afraid of heights.)
The Rockwood shuttle to Kineo in Moosehead Lake ($10 round trip/ leaves on the hour from Rockwood dock).
From my recent trip to Greenville: the sky from the Rockwood dock
This was "the view" from Big Moose Mountain in Greenville on Saturday, August 31, 2013.
Hobbitland in Hallowell.
This picture was taken in my backyard during the recent ice storm. As I walked along my dirt road, I was surrounded by rainbows as the sun reflected off the crystals of ice clinging to each branch thus creating a Winter Wonderland. My guess is that these are cranberry viburnum berries.
For the past 10 years, I recorded seasonal happenings along my road in Oakland. Typically I find my first jack-in-the-pulpit in mid-May. Last year I recorded the first one on May 13. Another indication of this year's early spring: I found these on May 6.
A view of Mount Katahdin from Lower Shin Pond, using my telephoto lens.
I love Lady’s Slippers, so I was thrilled to see this huge patch. Since I know how delicate these plants are, I won't reveal the exact location—just somewhere in Camden Hills State Park.
This is a recent (November, 2010) photo of Mackworth Island in Portland. During November, I don't dare go to my favorite spots because of hunting season. Therefore, we go "to the city" where I took this shot.
A view of the Mars Hill wind farm, using my telephoto lens.
Another view of the Mars Hill wind farm without the telephoto lens.
Mayflowers are rare in our area; therefore, I was thrilled to find a large patch on some land I just purchased. My cat and I love to roam the woods around our house. Right on our new boundary, I discovered these beautiful specimens.
Moose Cave in Grafton Notch State Park
Mountain ash berries
My husband and I went hiking yesterday on Ragged Mountain. (Rt. 17 in Rockport). It's really just a big hill, but it has good views of Penobscot Bay. This shot is a view of Mt. Battie from Ragged Mountain. (9/20/2011)
I took this photo of the sunrise on a July morning from the top of Mt. Phillip in Rome. Mt. Phillip (part of the Kennebec Highlands) is an "ant hill" that takes 20 minutes to summit, but the views it provides of Great Pond are decent.
Maybe part of the reason why winter is my favorite season is because of the fleeting nature of its visual effects. The snow often looks like frosting and disappears as quickly. This photo was taken in Oakland near my home.
My friend and I climbed Old Speck Mountain (Maine's third tallest mountain at 4180 ft.) from Success Pond Road (a dirt road off Rt. 26). It is a relatively easy trail with a phenomenal reward. The May Cut Off provides spectacular views of Mt. Washington as well as the Rangeley Lakes region and most of the Mahoosucs. The trail winds along the edge of Speck Pond (which is the highest body of water in Maine). The pond is so shallow it freezes solid in the winter; therefore, there are no fish found there. The state used to stock it in the '80s, but stopped due to acid rain. I prefer this trail to the more popular one to the tower.
A Peregrine Falcon at the Penobscot Observatory in Bucksport.
Pitcher plants at Great Wass Island. So few people know about carnivorous plants. We did a 3+ mile hike that was easy enough for children. It goes through a bog to a rocky ledge beach. There was one other family there.
Reflections in Moose Cave in Grafton Notch State Park
Grow Where You Are Planted. Found in a "secret" location in Grafton Notch State Park
Sunrise over Snow Pond in Oakland, Maine
Another photo taken early in the morning nearby our house on Snow Pond in Oakland.
This photo was taken early in the morning near our house on Snow Pond in Oakland.
This was on the South Ridge Trail up Cadillac. It was a cold, foggy day with no hope of a view, but we went anyway.
For the past 10 years, I have recorded seasonal happenings along my road in Oakland. Typically I find my first painted trillium near the end of April. Last year (2009), I recorded the first one on May 1. Another indication of this year's early spring: I found these on April 17, 2010. A more common name for this trillium is stinking benjamin. If you wonder why it has earned this colloquial moniker, pick one and see for yourself. Ha Ha!
This is my cat, Victor, on one of these cold days. He and I had gone for a walk to get the newspaper. Shortly after our return, he decided to warm up.
My husband and I spent most of February school vacation week in my favorite place: Grafton Notch. What a winter paradise! One afternoon we snowshoed to this frozen waterfall on Old Speck Mountain, which most guide books list as the state's third tallest mountain at 4,170 feet. We certainly didn't climb that high! As spectacular as this photo is, my camera didn't capture the ice's intense turquoise. As we stood beside this falls, our words of praise were joined by the gurgling of the water trapped under the falls.
This was taken at the wildflower garden at Acadia National Park on Memorial Day.
My husband, Harry, and I went to Hobbitland (a.k.a. Vaughan Woods) in Hallowell today while it was snowing. Beautiful! Rushing water and frosted trees.
In between this weekend’s raindrops, I was able to capture some photos of this pair of loons near a loon nesting box on Pattee’s Pond in Winslow.
I am truly blessed to live in such a beautiful place. Here is a photo of Pattee Pond in Winslow, taken from the cove in front of my house.
NRCM member Linda Woods of Oakland, along with her husband, recently climbed Mt. Megunticook in Camden, on Maine’s midcoast region.
Tumbledown Mountain Pond by Linda Woods
