Sugarloaf & Saddleback Ski & Stay Safari - Updates
2026-01-30 14:00 - 2026-02-04 11:00 (America/New_York)
MOAC is returning to the mountains of Rangeley and the Carrabassett Valley for a long-running winter favorite – a classic MOAC winter ski safari. We’ll enjoy the #1 and #2 ranked alpine resorts in the East (SKI Magazine Top 20 of the East, 2026), located alongside two of New England’s premier Nordic trail systems, with the freedom to choose your own activity each day.
Dates: Friday, January 30 through Wednesday, February 4
UPDATE: Several Rooms available on Mon & Tue Feb 2 and 3. 1 Room available Fri Jan 30.
Lodging:
Our home base once again will be The Maine Roadhouse in Stratton—an MOAC favorite for years and the perfect hub for Sugarloaf and Saddleback adventures. In 2026, the Roadhouse is under the management of owner Lisa Rigas and her son, Crigas, preserving everything MOAC came to enjoy under prior managers Jen & Jen.
We’ll have exclusive use of the entire lodge, including the full kitchen and the large communal gathering room for shared meals, games, and fireside après-ski fun. New this year, an additional suite is available—the former Jen & Jen quarters—giving us even more flexibility.
Lodging Costs:$45/night for semi-private bunks up to $99/night for a queen suite (formerly Jen & Jen’s quarters). Full lodging room options are listed within the registration form, linked in item 1, below.
Organizer: Dave Dancause (dave.dancause@gmail.com | 207-415-6258)
How to attend:

Fill out registration: [Sugarloaf and Saddleback Safari Registration]; or contact Dave D directly: (207) 415-6258
Contact The Maine Roadhouse after January 5th. The Maine Roadhouse will have the registration form information you have completed to ease the reservations process.
Lodging payment is due 7 days before your arrival Call The Maine Roadhouse for lodging payment. Note: Payment before arrival is new this year.

Why this registration form? Ease for Lisa and Crigas to accept reservations. The Maine Roadhouse is no longer a MOAC secret – using Airbnb and other marketing platforms has made the Roadhouse a more popular lodging option. The Maine Roadhouse will have this form data (your registration info) on hand when you call to make your reservation.
Let’s do this!

Full moon hike on Pisgah Hill
2026-02-01 16:00 - 19:00
Update: This event is still on schedule for RRCT. However, something has come up for me personally so I will not be attending.
Hello, this is an annual event hosted by Royal River Conservation Trust. It’s a relatively short hike, a little steep in spots – 1.2 miles round trip. They have a fire at the summit and hot chocolate and s’mores.
From their website: ”
The Pisgah Hill Preserve South Trailhead is at 74 Dougherty Road, New Gloucester (In Pownal, Dougherty Road is known as Chadsey Road). Parking for this event is on the road shoulders of Dougherty Road, on one side only. We will place “no parking” signs on the other side of the road.”
The event runs from 4 to 7pm. TRACTION IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. The trail gets compacted and can be very icy. Someone slipped on ice and (I think) broke a wrist a few years ago on the way down. The trails are fairly well marked and most parts will have candles or lanterns, plus there are generally a lot of people going up and down at various times. And, of course….dress warmly – it’s gonna be cold.
They appreciate people registering on their website, but it’s not required. It’s a free event. See the link below.

The Best of Baja California
2026-02-19 08:00 - 2026-02-21 17:00
Trip is Full
I went once and want to go back to Baja California in Mexico!
It is a well organized 10 day trip which involves camping on the beach with a cook and support staff, kayaking, snorkeling, hiking, swimming with sea lions and whale sharks, lots of gray whales sightings, and many other amazing experiences!
See the website for additional info
https://www.kayakbaja.com/whale-watching/

American Red Cross Wilderness and Remote First Aid
2026-03-07 08:00 - 2026-03-08 16:00 | Nine Tigers Kung Fu, 366 Elm St., Biddeford, ME, 04005, United States
American Red Cross Wilderness and Remote First Aid
Saturday and Sunday March 7 and 8, 2025 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
$200.00 per person.
Be prepared to respond to medical emergencies in the great outdoors! The primary purpose of the ARC-WRFA course is to provide individuals a foundation of first aid knowledge and skills to respond to emergencies and give care in areas that do not have access to immediate emergency medical services (EMS) response. In this course you will also develop leadership skills and learn how to help
The course includes classroom learning along with scenario based, hands-on training.
The American Red Cross Wilderness and Remote First Aid Course meets the requirements for Scouting USA High Adventure Camps and is recommended for wilderness guides, campers, backpackers, rafters and anyone who enjoys the outdoors!

This course is presented by Sgt. John Mulloy (Ret.). John was a 35 year police officer and supervisor, police firearms and active shooter response instructor. He is a 40 year certified Emergency Medical Technician in Massachusetts and Maine, Volunteer Hunter Education Instructor, and CPR/First Aid and Wilderness First Aid Instructor. John Works hard to make his classes informative, useful and fun!

Riverton Woods and Evergreen Cemetery Trail
2026-04-04 13:00 - 14:30
We will meet at Evergreen Cemetery, 672 Stevens Ave, Portland (across from Baxter Woods). This is a 3.1 mile trail through and around the cemetery. Trail may be damp so plan accordingly. Weather looks to be good for Saturday. Let’s open our eyes and ears for the coming of Spring!

Cape Elizabeth -- Robinson Woods via Canter Way
2026-04-14 13:00 - 15:30
Join me for an approximately 4 mile walk in Robinson Woods. The meeting point is the rear parking lot of the Cape Elizabeth United Methodist Church. Address is 280 Ocean House Road (AKA Route 77). I did this hike on 4/9 and found the trails mostly dry. The hike is show and go, but no dogs please. Any questions, please call (207) 838-0437.

Memorial Day Weekend Camping in Bar Harbor - UPDATE!!
2026-05-22 13:00 - 2026-05-25 12:00
As of 3/25/26, Hadley’s lists 9 tent sites available and “plenty” of RV sites (water/electric/some with sewer). If you are interested in this trip, please don’t wait too long. You also do NOT need to stay at Hadley’s. You are welcome to outdoor adventure with us and hang out for the evening/whenever festivities.
Let’s keep a long-standing MOAC tradition alive by welcoming summer with a group campout on Mt. Desert Island.
We camped at Hadley’s Point CG last year and had a great time. Hadley’s Point is just off Route 3 as you head to Bar Harbor. It is 2.5 miles before Bar Harbor Campground. Holiday weekend prices appear to be:

Field tent sites are $37.00 per night
Wooded tent sites are $39.00 per night
Sites with water/electric are $54.00 per night
They even have cabins if you want to check those out

There appears to be a $3.25 campground fee, plus tax of course.
https://www.hadleyspoint.com/
Tammy and I will reserve site C-37 (water and electric) and it is near to a pod of tent sites (13-20, 30-36, 40-42). We will also reserve C-36 to use as a home base for the group. We will ask attendees to help pay for this community site. If we get 25 people, that will mean about $5 per person for the weekend.
If you choose to go, please drop us a line at pcm25me@gmail.com so we know who to expect and what site you are in. You can also stay anywhere you like and come visit as well.
You do have to make your own reservations. Deposit amounts vary. For 1-2 nights, it is the full balance. For 3 or more it is $100. Unfortunately, they state there are no refunds for a holiday weekend.
It might be best to grab a site as soon as you can if you are interested.
We will continue the traditional experience of group happy hours and pot luck dinners in the evenings. Restaurants are also on the table. Activities during the day will be up to the group. Hiking, biking, paddling, etc.

Dark Skies Seniors Getaway at AMC Medawisla Lodge and Cabins
2026-09-08 15:00 - 2026-09-11 10:00
As MOAC members, we are inviting you to join us for a 3 nights getaway in the middle of Maine at AMC’s Medawisla Lodge and Cabins in the Maine Woods Initiative area geared to seniors but open to all. We have timed our stay to take advantage of dark skies to enjoy a sky full of stars without having to stay up late. Bring a lawn chair and sit by the lake for a full view of the sky. Whether you enjoy easier trails in the woods, climbing mountains, off road biking or paddling, you can find something to do here. However, you can just enjoy sitting on the porch at the lodge or down at the lake. Bring your own kayak, paddle board or canoe or use one available there. There are also 2 other ponds to enjoy by canoe down the road. There is off road and trail biking available. Hiking opportunities vary from mostly flat to mountains. Please be sure to bring your equipment and carry the essentials. There is no phone service on most trails in the area.
You must use the link below to register for this getaway.
https://activities.outdoors.org/s/oc-activity/a5UVX0000014TsT2AU/act00019975
More info on the AMC website (link above). More details will be emailed once you register via the AMC website. First come, first served for bookings.
