I love a bargain. Sale is probably my favorite four letter word. So when we bought our first Maine state park pass, I was excited to learn that if you buy it after August 15th it is actually good through the end of the following year which meant we could go on even more hiking adventures.
When the credit card sized blue pass arrived in the mail, we started researching state parks and making plans. While we had already hiked many trails throughout the state, we hadn’t yet gone to many of the state parks so this was our opportunity to try some new destinations.
Our first winter hike while using our park pass was to Bradbury Mountain State Park in Pownal. Fate was kind to us and it was the perfect day to visit.
The park was hosting a family event and loaning out snowshoes for free to visitors. We had only snowshoed one time prior to this hike. It was during the Great Maine Outdoor Weekend which I blogged about in my post 5 Things I Learned Snowshoeing at Sebago Lake State Park.
I discovered on that first trip, that I enjoy snowshoeing. We’ve even been looking to buy some of our own snowshoes, but like the kayaks we’ve been talking about getting for almost five years now, it’s still a someday kind of thing. Fortunately, we didn’t need them on this particular day as we were able to borrow them for free.
I don’t remember the trek to the summit being especially strenuous, and generally I remember those climbs that are more challenging. Ask me about our hike up Pleasant Mountain in The Forks sometime. That one remains a painful memory. The trail we hiked at Bradbury Mountain State Park was much easier. We reached the top and got to enjoy beautiful 360 views of the surrounding area.
It’s always a great feeling when you reach the top of a mountain hike. It’s an accomplishment topped off by lovely views. Bradbury Mountain State Park has a granite area at the peak that is a bit of a scramble to get on top of, but then it’s a great place to hang out with a snack and enjoy the views which is exactly what we did.
Have you ever tried snowshoeing? Do you enjoy it?
I’m participating in a Blogging A-Z Challenge for April 2018. I will be posting new content every day this month except most Sundays. Each post is associated with a letter of the alphabet, starting with A and ending with Z. My theme for the challenge is Winters in Maine. To read more of my A to Z posts, click HERE.
| things to know | |
|---|---|
| Place | Bradbury Mountain State Park |
| Address | 528 Hallowell Road Pownal, ME 04069 |
| Winter Scene | Snowshoeing |
| Website | Bradbury Mountain State Park |
| Favorite ♥ | Free Snowshoe Rental! |
Weekends in Maine 
I read a post from another blogger a while ago who was a lover of snowshoes – she said they made hiking soooo much easier on the legs. I imagine not sinking into several inches of snow would be a blessing – and you’d stay a lot warmer and drier too.
Leanne | http://www.crestingthehill.com.au
B for Believe in Yourself
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Yes, it does really help when there’s a lot of snow. I’d really like to do a little more of it during the winter. Right now, we mostly hike which is fun too.
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Not something I’ve experienced but we are going to Alaska so you never know.
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I bet there are some good snowshoeing opportunities in Alaska!
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Hiking with snowshoes sounds like fun! Glad you enjoyed it.
Dena
https://denapawling.blogspot.com/
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It really is a lot of fun. We keep planning to buy some of our own snowshoes but so far we’ve only borrowed them. Fortunately, there are lots of opportunities.
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Haven’t tried snowshoeing. Those photos are so scenic, I am sure you had a wonderful time outdoors. And who doesn’t like things on sale and stuff that is free? I am with you on that one.
Bodylicious @ Namysaysso
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There are a lot of great snowshoeing trails around where I live so it’s a good hobby top pick up.
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I’m not really into snowshoeing, but my mom loves it so sometimes I’ll partake in it (in the woods near our camp). I do love this trail at Bradbury Mountain State Park – sometimes in the summer and fall I’ll hike up after work (the park is only a little out of the way of my commute). Glad you had fun and were able to take advantage of the event they were putting on!
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I can see where snowshoeing isn’t for everyone. That’s great that you can get to Bradbury Mountain State Park for a hike after work. It’s a great place. We are lucky in Maine. There are so many amazing hiking trails.
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We truly are!
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My days of tromping through snow, with or without snowshoes, are over. I can’t say I’ve ever tried them out…
Good start to the challenge! Keep it up!
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We really started hiking more about 2-3 years ago, and since winter hiking quickly became one of our favorite things to do, snowshoeing was a natural extension. Hiking in the snow can be quite challenging though.
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I’m not sure I ever used snowshoes. Definitely never for hiking, though.
I do love Bradbury Mountain State Park. I’m hoping to get a trip in there when I visit in a few weeks. It’s been too long!
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We’re finally getting into spring and things are really melting now. It would be a great time to visit Bradbury Mountain State Park.
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I swear I’m going to show up on your doorstep some day to enjoy all these places you write about! We don’t get much snow at all, so no snowshoes for me!
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I absolutely recommend a visit to Maine. It’s an fun state with lots to do. You write about tons of cool adventures too so sounds like there’s plenty of fun to be had out your way too.
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I’ve never done snowshoeing but I don’t visit the snow much. I would feel a little safer on those than on skis though! Pretty pictures.
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Yes, snowshoes are more my speed than skis although I’ll cover those in my winter themed A to Z too.
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I love snowshoeing! I’m afraid it can be difficult to get me outdoors in winters like the one we’ve had though. Once I’m out there in the quieter-than-quiet woods though, I wonder why it always takes me so long to get there.
<a href="https://melaniecrousesblog.blogspot.com/2018/04/b-is-for-by-book.html"<Melanie's Stories
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Sometimes it is a little hard to get motivated but I’m always so happy once I get there. Winter is so quiet and peaceful.
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I got snowshoes a couple years ago – I have only used them a bit. I think next year I put “Snowshoe more” on my 19 for ‘19 List!
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We keep saying we’re going to get some and then never get around to it but someday. At least we keep having opportunities to borrow them.
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Mine weren’t expensive – well under $50, as I recall. They probably aren’t the greatest, but they work for me.
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You can find some great deals. I really need to do a bit more research.
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I’ve always wanted to try snowshoeing, but I don’t think we could Handel it now. I guess I should have tried earlier!!!
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I’m glad I’ve had opportunities to try it over the last few years. I do enjoy it.
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Such beautiful views!
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That’s my favorite part of mountain hikes. Usually, you’re rewarded with great views once you get to the top.
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We don’t have to use passes to visit our state parks but not exactly sure about the National ones. I will have to check into that now.
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We have a lot of free trails and hiking spots, but the state parks use the pass. They do offer free days though which is nice.
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Gorgeous photos! Where I live in Brisbane, Australia we never get cold enough for snow. It is on the edge of the tropics of North Queensland. One day I would love to spend some time in the snow and enjoy the quiet and stillness.
Sue from Sizzling Towards 60 & Beyond
‘B’ is for Beauty – the importance of inner beauty
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The tropics must be an interesting place too.
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Yes although the humidty can be a killer!
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