Winter Rangeley Ride, Take 2

What: Rangeley Ride, Winter Edition

When: January 17th (Saturday), 2015

Where: Rangeley/Oquossoc area

What To Bring: Your street legal 4WD vehicle, warm clothing, extrication equipment, snacks/drinks (non-alcoholic), snow shovel, camera/batteries, etc.
Tire chains, Maxtrax, extra straps, and/or a winch are highly recommended! Don't forget your spare socks boots!
CB's are highly recommended and Ch. 16 is the channel to be used.

Where to Meet: Muffin will be leading the group this year. He has ample experience and very capable 2011 Toyota Tacoma. Everyone going will meet him at the Jay, Maine McDonald's on Rt4 at 9am.

What To Expect:  This ride will mostly entail driving on public roads to, around, and returning from the Rangeley Lake Region.  Road conditions may vary from paved and plowed state highways, plowed logging/access roads, and possibly unplowed areas.  The plan is to meet in a central location, take a leisurely and scenic route toward Rangeley. Lunch in Rangeley.  More exploring in the afternoon.  Probably home early evening.  NOBODY GETS LEFT BEHIND.  All vehicles will make it or we will all turn around.  That said, don't bring your Honda Civic or any other little 2 wheel drive car.

In previous years, we traveled approximately 250 miles.  Fuel and food available in Rangeley, Phillips, Oquossoc, Rumford/Mexico, and Farmington.  This Mileage would not include traveling to/from the starting point.

This ride may get postponed due to stormy condition as it is less safe to travel.

This post may be updated as the date approaches.

No go for us, this is our last camp weekend before our buddies go play in the sand box for a year. Have fun at the height of the land folks!

Count me in, unless I'm plowing

May be in

There doesn't seem to be a lot of comments here, I hope this is still happening, I'm looking forward to it.

Well I know I'll be going!

Yup me to

Sounds good

one week away

Pulling the Jeep in for a shop day this morning, looking forward to Saturday.

Wow, it's chilly this morning, -15 to be exact. I'm glad the forecast says 20's and some sun for Saturday.

Storm Team 13 says a high of 13 after an over night low of -13.... I don't foresee much out - of - vehicle adventuring, haha

Would love to join, but can't make it. Will be down south hunting for coffee for MOTL 2015.

Coincidentally I'm out for this. A customer/fellow fire fighter needs some firewood split and this is the only chance to do so before Sundays storm.

We are sorry to say this years Winter Rangeley Ride will be cancelled due to lack of interest and snow conditions (too much hard packed snow and a lot of the roads are now snowmobile trails) We at NEO are working hard on coming up with more rides so stayed tuned!

Well, thats a pisser, been looking forward to it. Guess I'll go solo wheeling.

I think muffin had everyone's safety and enjoyment in mind. Driving anything other than a snowmobile on roads used as snowmobile trails is illegal in Maine. Driving off trail in 24" of snow with a wheeled vehicle would be an exercise in frustration. That leaves driving on Public paved and plowed roads... you don't need our help for that.

Sorry this ride didn't work out for us, but there will be more.

Steve

I realize it's cancelled due to circumstances beyond the groups control, it's not anyone's fault. I'm planning my own winter trip now, headed for the Allagash tonight. The Golden road in mid winter is one of my camera's favorite places. I fully prepped my rig this week, might as well use it. Hopefully I'll have some good pictures to post sunday night. Everyone stay safe out there

Countryhandyman wrote:I realize it's cancelled due to circumstances beyond the groups control, it's not anyone's fault. I'm planning my own winter trip now, headed for the Allagash tonight. The Golden road in mid winter is one of my camera's favorite places. I fully prepped my rig this week, might as well use it. Hopefully I'll have some good pictures to post sunday night. Everyone stay safe out there

Be careful up there! There's a Wind Chill Warning (worse than a Wind Chill Advisory) for tonight until 1pm tomorrow. Wind chills can reach as low as 42 below zero!!! Temps will range from 16 below to 1 above with West winds of 10 to 20 MPH and gusts up to 25 MPH. That's insane to be out there in those crazy low temps. Hope you're staying indoors!! But thanks for the heads up of where you're going to be and when you plan to be back home  
And can't wait for those pictures!!

I love running up there. I've been in the middle of Chesunkook lake, full moon, midnight at -20. It's hard to keep the camera gear happy but the pictures - amazing. I have shots you can see the whole lake, the mountains beyond, the full moon and Orion all in one photo. In addition, the missus always gets a map with itinerary to hold on to, including an emergency action plan. My buddy and I are well experienced back coutry travelers. I'm even a graduate from the Navy's winter SERE school in Reddington. That said, stuff goes wrong fast, even in the summer, triple precautions are needed in the winter.

Sounds like you might be leading a similar ride next year...

I'd be willing to do that.

Hey All,

any plans for another winter run like this?? I just lifted my 4runner and I am itching to get it out!!


Sam

Sampaul1887 wrote:Hey All,

any plans for another winter run like this?? I just lifted my 4runner and I am itching to get it out!!


Sam

Nothing in the foreseeable future as most of the roads/trails becomes snowmobile trails during the snowy months. However, if you decide you want to get up there and explore sometime, post up and I'm sure there'll be others that will want to venture out there with you!