Mt. Monroe, January 2022
Guided Fall & Winter Hiking
Hiking during New England’s colder months is a great way to stay active as the temperature drops. The trails are peaceful, restorative, and much less busy. Cold weather hiking also requires special considerations for safety and a much slower pace. Find more details about winter hiking, click here.
Guided day hikes range in distance from two to six miles, depending on your experience and interest. For new winter hikers, I usually start with Bradbury Mountain or Pleasant Mountain. Options are also available in the White Mountains and other parts of Maine. Rates range from $250-$400 per person depending on distance and location. Rental gear is available.
Join me in the woods this season!
Hiking with Sarah was an absolute delight. She took the guesswork out of everything – helped us figure out what clothing to wear based on the weather, what gear to bring based on the hiking conditions, which trails to take based on our interests and skill level. She’s easy to talk to, highly knowledgeable, incredibly kind, and just one of those humans who are fun to be around. Spending a day on a mountain with Sarah is a five-star experience!
– Kate E, Yarmouth, ME
From Southern Maine’s mini mountain (Bradbury) to Baxter’s wild beast (Katahdin) and everything in between, I will be there to help you plan, hike, and safely complete your adventure. While Maine is my home, I also travel regularly to New Hampshire’s White Mountains and Vermont’s five 4000′ peaks.
Day hikes, camping overnights, and multi-day backpacking trips are offered and rental gear is available at a low cost through a partnership with Maine GearShare.
I am always happy to custom-build a trip to meet your hiking goals. Or, consider joining me on one of my favorite adventures: 100 Mile Wilderness, Mount Katahdin, New England’s 4000 Footers, Bradbury Mountain, and Backpacking 101.
100 Mile Wilderness
A bucket list item for many hikers, the 100 Mile Wilderness is the longest remote stretch of the entire Appalachian Trail. It begins in Monson, Maine and ends at the Golden Road, at the boundary of Baxter State park. It is challenging, peaceful, beautiful, and incredibly rewarding. You will pass pristine lakes, travel along streams and rivers, see amazing geological features, and experience views of the Maine wilderness seen by very few people.
On average, this hike takes between 6-10 days. The best time of year to complete the 100 is August, September, or early October. Although it can be done earlier in the summer, there are fewer bugs and the water crossings are more manageable later in the season. However, it is also thru hiker season, with many folks on the trail finishing their AT journey. I have knowledge of campsites ‘off trail’ in case shelters are full, as well as ‘bail out spots’ in case we need to get off the trail. This trip includes a food resupply around mile 50 to lessen weight in your pack. I can provide high quality backpacking rental equipment at a very low cost through a partnership with Maine GearShare.
While hiking is the main focus of this adventure, time will be built in each day to journal, sketch, meditate, stretch, or simply reflect on the experience. I will make sure each potential participant is prepared for the trip by reviewing gear, food, safety, and fitness requirements for a successful hike.
This trip can be extended 2 days to include summiting Mt Katahdin (additional fee applies).
Contact me to discuss potential dates.
Cost: starting at $3500 for private trips, starting at $2500 per person for groups
Full gear package includes lightweight tent, sleeping bag and pad, backpack, and stove ($45/day). A la cart is available if you don’t need all these items. Boots, trekking poles, and rain gear can also be rented.
Mount Katahdin
This wild, rugged mountain is the tallest peak in Maine and located in Baxter State Park. There are multiple trail options to reach the summit of Baxter Peak and neighboring Hamlin Peak. While some trails are easier than others, none are easy. This hike is hard no matter which way you go, and the payoff at the top is worth every step. Hiking Katahdin requires more planning than most hikes due to the requirements of entry to Baxter State Park. Maine residents have earlier access to trailhead parking, so plan ahead for your summer ascent by contacting me now!
Cost: starting at $500 for private trips, starting at $450 per person for groups
New England’s 4000 footers
There are 67 mountains over 4000 feet in elevation in New England. Well, there are a lot more, but there are 67 that qualify for the Appalachian Mountain Club’s list. Some are easily accessible with well marked trails and others are pretty remote. I offer guided trips up all 67 peaks, including day trips and multi-day outings with camping in between for those traveling a long distance or wanting to check a few off the list at once. In many cases, multiple peaks can be covered in one hike. Check out my 4000 Foot Hikes page to read about each peak and multi-summit hikes, and contact me to start planning!
Cost: starting at $350* for private trips, starting at $300* per person for groups (*cost depends on which mountain)
Bradbury Mountain Adventure
Bradbury Mountain State Park in Pownal is less than a half-hour from downtown Portland, making it the closest mountain to the city. Exploring the park is a great way for visitors (and locals!) to see a different side of southern Maine. Trails meander through the woods, ranging in distance and difficulty, and the view from the top of Bradbury Mountain is lovely. 1-3 mile hikes are available and include plant and animal identification and fun Maine facts. As a long-time resident of Portland, I can also help you plan other activities in the area, including food, sights, museums, shopping, breweries, and family-friendly outings. Let’s chat!
Cost: starting at $150 for private trips, starting at $100 per person for groups
Mount Agamenticus Views
This southernmost peak in York, Maine, is technically a monadnock – a small mountain that rises abruptly from surrounding level ground. At 692 ft, Mt. A is historically significant as a landmark for sailors approaching from the Atlantic. From the top, visitors can see the Mt. Washington, Casco Bay, many Maine islands, and (some say) even the skyscrapers of Boston on a perfectly clear day. The extensive trail system here offers hikes ranging from 2 miles to well over 8 miles. The summit hike can completed in as little as 2 hours. This is a great way to see southern Maine from a different view! Let’s chat!
Cost: starting at $200 for private trips, starting at $150 per person for groups
Pleasant Mountain Fire Tower Hike
A trip up Pleasant Mountain is a wonderful way to spend a day outside! The views are incredible during the climb and at the summit. This hike is also a fantastic next step for new hikers – it is harder than Bradbury but easier and closer than most mountains in western Maine or the Whites. At just over an hour drive from Portland, Pleasant offers ‘big-peak’ views and some tougher terrain without the challenges of alpine zone exposure found at higher elevations. There are four trail options to reach the 2006′ summit, ranging in distance from 3.6 to 5.8 miles. We’ll choose the trail that best fits your goals and abilities! Reach out today!
Cost: starting at $250 for private trips, starting at $200 per person for groups
Intro to Backpacking
Are you an experienced day hiker who’s ready to spend a night (or 2, or 3) in the woods? I was fortunate enough to have a friend (an AT thru hiker) show me the ropes on my first backpacking trip, and I’m excited to share that knowledge with other hikers. Backpacking requires careful packing to manage weight—you don’t want to carry anything you won’t absolutely need (except first aid supplies). There are also important things to consider when choosing a spot to camp for the night, mapping distances, estimating caloric needs, and refilling water.
Join me for an informative, safe overnight adventure!
Puzzle Mountain: 2 days, 1 night, 9.5 miles, 1 peak, intermediate level
We’ll meet at the Grafton Loop Trailhead on Rt 26 in Newry, Maine at noon on the first day of our trip. After reviewing gear and packing, we’ll hike 4.5 miles to the Stewart Tentsite. After a night in the woods, we’ll hike to the summit of Puzzle Mountain, around Woodsum Spur, and back to the trailhead to finish our 5.5 mile day by midafternoon! This is a perfect trip for anyone who wants to dip a toe in the backpacking experience without covering a lot of miles or difficult terrain.
Cost: starting at $500 for private trips, starting at $400 per person for groups
This trip cost includes a trail dinner & breakfast (pack your snacks!), a detailed packing list, and access to low-cost gear rentals (fee varies depending on what gear you need).
Email me to learn more!
Grafton Loop Trail: 3 days, 2 nights, 38.6 miles, 9 peaks, advanced level
We’ll meet at the Grafton Loop Trailhead on Rt 26 in Newry, Maine at 8am on the first day of our trip and start our clockwise loop, climbing Slide Mountain and covering 10 miles to reach Slide Mountain Tentsite. Day 2 will take us over Old Speck (one of Maine’s 4000 footers) and onto the Appalachian Trail. After traveling through rugged Grafton Notch and crossing Baldpate Mountain, we’ll continue onto Grafton Notch Trail and stop at the Lane Tentsite for a 13.5 mile day. On our final trail day, we’ll cover 13.2 miles and cross the summits of Long and Puzzle Mountains, ending back at Rt 26 late in the afternoon. This is a beautiful, diverse hike with incredible views. Although there are nine peaks and a significant amount of elevation, there are also long stretches of relatively easy woods walking. This is a fantastic trip for a relatively fit hiker looking to increase endurance or train for a longer backpacking adventure.
Cost: starting at $1500 for private trips, starting at $1200 per person for groups
I can provide high quality backpacking rental equipment at a very low cost through a partnership with Maine GearShare, so you won’t have to purchase a ton of equipment before you give backpacking a try.
Full gear package includes lightweight tent, sleeping bag and pad, backpack, and stove ($45/day). A la cart is available if you don’t need all these items. Boots, trekking poles, and rain gear can also be rented.