Any news at Big Squaw?

[scootertig]

Sadly marcski...The state has about as much pocket cash for miscellaneous stuff as the owner...

scootertig...Just outside Greenville(on soutern tip of Moosehead Lake..look NE of SL). BigSquaw mtn/ski-area is ~2-4mi outside of town, on the western side of the lake.

Thanks. I haven't been to Greenville in years (like, 10 or more). As long as they're spinning lifts, and the tickets are less than $25 for a few hours, I'm in. I'm a glutton for punishment that way.

If they're not spinning, how's Mt. Abram as a substitute? I'm embarrassed that I missed so many opportunities for skiing when I lived up that way, and want to use this trip as an opportunity to make up for lost time...

 

[UVSHTSTRM]

Thanks. I haven't been to Greenville in years (like, 10 or more). As long as they're spinning lifts, and the tickets are less than $25 for a few hours, I'm in. I'm a glutton for punishment that way.

If they're not spinning, how's Mt. Abram as a substitute? I'm embarrassed that I missed so many opportunities for skiing when I lived up that way, and want to use this trip as an opportunity to make up for lost time...

As mentioned earlier, I am nearly 100% sure that at the very least the upper lift is not open and the lower one probably isn't either, I will be surprised if they are open for more than a couple weekends here and there and some school vacation weeks, heck I would be surprised if they are open at all.

On a personal note, I wouldn't give that guy (calafone) a dime unless he ever showed some serious drive to run that place.

 

[Skimaine]

Not sure were you are going to be in Maine. If you are in the Bangor area I would consider Big Rock or Camden Snow Bowl.

 

[bigbog]

.........On a personal note, I wouldn't give that guy (calafone) a dime unless he ever showed some serious drive to run that place.

....As it has stood for a few years+. IMHO....it's now, or could be a much more valuable XC and AT environment...ie undeveloped lands, which it probably should stay as...rather than being a cheap, rundown eyesore/insult, cut out of the atmosphere of the area, however being private land..y/n?...the exact status(rights for use) = I have no idea.

scootertig....there is Shawnee Peak(Bridgeton) in addition to Abrams(sp?), or Black Mtn(Rumford)...

 

[scootertig]

scootertig....there is Shawnee Peak(Bridgeton) in addition to Abrams(sp?), or Black Mtn(Rumford)...

Thanks for the info (everyone else, too).

I guess we'll see how spry we feel after NYE, and make our decision for a little bit of skiing on Saturday based on that. Sounds like Greenville wouldn't be worth the trip, though.

 

[tomcat]

I spoke to North Woods Outfitters in Greenville and they said that the place is not going to open. For months the phone has not worked there. This is hearsay at best right now but on the facebook page Save Big Squaw, there has been a post saying it has been sold to someone from FL with no ambition to keep it as a ski area. Check out the FB page for updates, a lot of the people on there are from Greenville and close to it.

 

[wa-loaf]

there has been a post saying it has been sold to someone from FL with no ambition to keep it as a ski area.

That's not new. It's the guy who has owned it for a long time and is letting it fall to pieces.

 

[bigbog]

Yeah....at some date? after the FL fellow bought it...seems he was into some small airlines/seaplane_co....and as the plot got a little thicker as one of his planes crashed. At least that's what I thought I had read.....had to be 4+(?) years ago.
$.01

*Would like to know the legal status of those wishing to hike/skin-and-ski on...what was, or may still be his land.
Would like to at least see the property's boundaries. There is Big Moose(was "Squaw" Mtn) and then there is a Little Moose(Squaw)..connected! ..with what should be some possibly nice lines. Will try to find info......

 

[kingdom-tele]

Would like to eventually ski the place if a summit lift gets opened again. Obviously not worth the drive until that time.

I understand your goal is skiing. But, its never a waste of time to be in the Greenville/Moosehead region. Unless they preventing people from hiking it or the trails that ascend to the peak, you'd be hard pressed to find a better place.IMO

 

[riverc0il]

I understand your goal is skiing. But, its never a waste of time to be in the Greenville/Moosehead region. Unless they preventing people from hiking it or the trails that ascend to the peak, you'd be hard pressed to find a better place.IMO

I meant that it was not worth the drive for the lower mountain only. I would certainly consider it for skinning to the summit and skiing. But I wouldn't drive there just for the lower mountain lift. Which seems moot at this point.

 

[UVSHTSTRM]

I spoke to North Woods Outfitters in Greenville and they said that the place is not going to open. For months the phone has not worked there. This is hearsay at best right now but on the facebook page Save Big Squaw, there has been a post saying it has been sold to someone from FL with no ambition to keep it as a ski area. Check out the FB page for updates, a lot of the people on there are from Greenville and close to it.

I had hear the same rumor. Some may argue that a guy from Florida (current owner) has been doing the same thing. I can't believe that this place (might) just keeps falling into the wrong hands.

 

[tomcat]

I knew Confalone was from FL. It was rumored it may have been sold, To me it sounded like possibly another one from FL. I live not too far from Greenville. I see the editor of the one small weekly newspaper up there regularly. I'll see if he has heard anything through the grapevine. I'll let you all know if i hear anything.

 

[klrskiah]

officially NELSAPed

Not going to open. Rumor is that the road is gated, and power has been disconnected. Very sad.

http://www.nelsap.org/me/squaw.html

 

[kingdom-tele]

KL - is it private land? just curious as we are planning a March trip and would gladly hike it, just don't want to step on toes. is there public access to the Mt.?

 

[UVSHTSTRM]

KL - is it private land? just curious as we are planning a March trip and would gladly hike it, just don't want to step on toes. is there public access to the Mt.?

I believe it is mostly private. The main way in is the access road, but I do think there is a hiking trail that starts off below the base area. As far as stepping on toes, my dad says there is a good three feet of snow on the ground so I wouldn't worry about anybody including the owner being up there. I would guess there would be no issues. Now that I think about it, I think there is a Snowmobile trail up to the base area, so that might be an option as well.

 

[Skimaine]

Agreed. My understanding is that the mountain is private land. There are some public lands nearby (Little Moose Mountain) that should be good snow shoe trails. In prior years the snow mobile trails basically led right to the base of the mountain and would be the best way to get access.

While you are up there, stop by North-woods Outfitters in "down town" Greenville. Pat or Mike could give the scoop on mountain access, snowmobile trails and other winter recreation opportunities.

 

[tomcat]

The back side up to the fire tower is public land. The ski area is private as is the access road. There was a big to do about the county plowing the road even though it is private. I spoke to the owner of northwoods in greenville and he said Confalone was reporting snowmobilers for trespassing at $200 a pop fine if caught. It was unknown if someone on foot would be treated the same. You can hike the summit all you want as it is Maine Reserve Land as long as you don't access it from the ski area. The ski trails are private property and you may face trespassing charges if caught on them. Last time I was in Northwoods he said it was rumored that they would be open this week for February Vacation but take it with a grain of salt because there is a new rumor everyday in greenville about the place.
It is fact however that the local ski club and Greenville High ski teams are using Hermon Mtn. for training.

 

[billski]

I stopped by the resort this afternoon. I have further local beta and photos. I'll try to post tomorrow if I have a chance.

 

[UVSHTSTRM]

Nothing concrete, but apparently the current owner of Squaw is selling an island he owns off the coast of Florida to a person/persons/company. As part of the sale, Big Squaw Mt will be sold as well. According to some online chatter, the buyers are from Venezuela. It remains to be seen if these rumblings are true and if this group has any interest of running a ski area. I guess stay tuned. I know there was another local/Maine group looking to put something together in regards to purchase. As my many years of having lived near Moosehead/D-F, rumors fly and die like the black flies.

 

[bigbog]

Nothing concrete, but apparently the current owner of Squaw is selling an island he owns off the coast of Florida to a person/persons/company. As part of the sale, Big Squaw Mt will be sold as well. According to some online chatter, the buyers are from Venezuela. It remains to be seen if these rumblings are true and if this group has any interest of running a ski area. I guess stay tuned. I know there was another local/Maine group looking to put something together in regards to purchase. As my many years of having lived near Moosehead/D-F, rumors fly and die like the black flies.

Interesting...a lot more interesting than some US conglomerate attempting to battle for timber harvesting rights....