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Maine Dogsledding Adventures A musher and dog moment. Photo courtesy of Mahoosuc Guide Service/James Helms Dogsledding in Maine You don’t have to go to Alaska to mush dogs, you can plan your dogsledding adventure in Maine! There are many recreational mushers, racers and now more people are offering rides and tours throughout Maine. Many different types of dogs will pull sleds but it is in the breeding of huskies to want to run and pull. They LOVE their work! Owning sled dogs is a huge commitment as they, like children, require a lot of time and want as much attention as you can give them and even more. Each dog has their own personality with feelings, moods and needs, just like people. Owning sled dogs isn’t for everyone as the care is 24/7 and the expense is huge. But it is also one of the most thrilling and unforgettable experiences one can have in their lives. The close connection one can have with dogs and nature is something that is hard to get anywhere.
 Happy dogs, on the trail!Photo courtesy of Caroline Blair-Smith, Chris Cox Hooking up a team of huskies can be deafening with the excited barking and noise that is created but once you pull the knot of the tied up sled and are heading down the trail it is silent except for the panting dogs and sound of the dogsled runners on the snow. It is an experience that will stay with you forever! People use different size teams depending on what they are doing but the minimum is usually three and can go upwards from there. There are different positions of the dogs in the team. The leader is in the front and the most important dog in having the team operate smoothly. They learn to hold the line tight so the dogs behind don’t get tangled, verbal commands are used for turning left and right and some mushers have their leaders trained to turn their teams totally around to go a different direction. Swing dogs run behind the leaders, team dogs in the middle and wheel dogs in front of the sled. The wheel dogs tend to be bigger, stronger dogs. Tighten Up! Let’s Go! Those are the words the dogs LOVE to hear and we love to say before we pull the knot and head down the trail. Their enthusiasm is contagious! At Mahoosuc they raise their dogs from puppies and keep them until they pass on. The level of care and commitment they have to our dogs is immense. In the summer they have pastures they run in daily to keep in shape and keep away boredom. Once they retire they move into our daylight basement and enjoy soft beds, no bugs, no blizzards and easy listening music on the radio. Our dogs’ lineage came from the Yukon Territory in Canada where Polly lived a subsistence lifestyle for 10 years with her dogs. They were featured in a couple movies; the Walt Disney Classic: Never Cry Wolf and Death Hunt with Charles Bronson. Safety is our number one concern on our trips. We don’t take the “thrills and spills” approach to mushing. Our clients and the dogs safety is paramount.
 Born to run. Photo courtesy of Mahoosuc Guide Service/James Helms Mahoosuc offers day trips and fully outfitted overnight trips varying in length from 2 – 10 days in length. Our trips are as hands on as the client would like. Some people like to be a passenger in the sled, others want to handle a team alone, others like to go on a sled with a guide. On the overnight trips people are camping in the luxury of traditional canvas wall tents heated by portable woodstoves and fir boughs as the floor. Everyone can enjoy warm hearty meals, close camaraderie and the occasional contented howl from the huskies right outside the tents. Song in the Woods customized dogsled trips are designed with input from the customer so they get the kind of trip they feel suits them. We are a small kennel and strive to help people have a memorable trip that is safe and affordable. Our trips range from ½ day adventures to multi-day expeditions with a variety of lodging options. We operate mostly in the Moosehead Lake region but have also traveled to other area’s for colleges, schools and festivals. There are lots of dogsledding adventure outfitters on Maine. In Rangeley, two options Activity Maine uncovered are: 1) MorningSong Wilderness Tours has day trips that include lunch that meet at 9 am at the Ecopelagicon Nature Store and returns by 4. Afternoon and evening tours meet at 2pm and you will enjoy supper on the trail and return by headlamp or moonlight. Grab some friends and have some fun! For more information on this outfit visit their facebook page: MorningSong Wilderness Tours LLC. And 2) Rangeley Sled Dog Aventures you can drive the sled or just ride along. See the mountains as very few have ever seen them on picturesque trails. Warmth and safety are of the utmost importance. Hot drinks, fresh snacks, and a camaraderie between human and canine are just some of the 2012 Maine Lakes Mushers Bowl  Don't miss the 2012 Maine Lakes Mushers Bowl. Photo courtesy of Paul Winterman. Members of the Down East Sled Dog club compete for title points with the races sanctioned by the International Sled Dog Racing Association. The race course at Five Field Farm is considered one of the most challenging on the circuit and offers excellent viewing opportunities. In addition to the races there is a series of guided snow shoe hikes up nearby Bald Pate Mountain. The other main venue is at Highland Lake Beach in downtown Bridgton. Here a number of fun family events are ongoing throughout Saturday and Sunday. The very popular sled dog rides on Highland Lake are always booked in advance and offer the riders a chance to experience the thrill and excitement of riding behind a team of sled dogs. Other outdoor activities include horse drawn wagon rides, ice fishing contests for youngsters which include all the necessary equipment and bait, free snowmobile rides, and a nature walk through Pondicherry Park led by a Lakes Environmental member. The highlight on Saturday is the ever popular “Freezin for a Reason, where hundreds of people from all ages jump into the lake to raise money for Harvest Hills Animal Shelter. Not all the events are outdoors and there are plenty of things to do inside. From pancake breakfasts, chowder fests, and baked bean suppers, to a very competitive table tennis tournament and a less stressful Dodge Ball Massacre, there are lots of events for everyone. On Saturday night the historic Bridgton Town Hall comes to life with a dance complete with live music and the crowning of the Carnival King and Queen. The Maine Lakes Mushers Bowl is affrodable fun for the whole family . For more information visit www.mainelakesmushersbowl.com or call the Chamber office at 647-3472. |
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