Come backpack in queer community in the North Maine Woods! We’ll spend four days and three nights hiking and camping in the Nahmakanta Wilderness (Penobscot ancestral territory) following the Great Circle Trail, a recently-completed backpacking loop connecting sections of the Appalachian Trail, the Debsconeag Backcountry, Turtle Ridge backcountry trails, and newly completed connector trails. This hike follows rolling terrain and connects beautiful ponds and lakes. Swim each night at ponds and lakes next to maintained backcountry campsites and enjoy campfires under the stars in a recognized International Dark Sky Park. We may see loons, eagles, moose, and other wildlife on our journey. Tuition for this trip includes access to borrowing backpacking and camping equipment from Kindling’s gear library, your guides, all meals and snacks, and camping and North Maine Woods fees.

Experience Required: Familiarity with camping or backpacking

Draft Itinerary

Day 1: Meet up with the group in the morning at the trailhead. Review personal gear, distribute group gear, and hike about 6.5 miles to our campsite. Set up camp, optional swim, and cook dinner in small groups. Connect in community around a campfire and sleep in tents.

Day 2: Wake up, eat breakfast as a group, pack up gear, and head off hiking on the trail. Snacks and lunch on trail. Hike about 7 miles, set up camp, cook in small groups, eat dinner. Optional swimming, relaxing, reading, and time around the fire, and then sleep in tents.

Day 3: Wake up and cook breakfast. Optional morning swim. Hike about 8 miles to our campsite; eat lunch on trail. Set up camp, dinner, fire, and downtime at the campsite. Sleep.

Day 4: Last breakfast as a group. Hit the trail and hike about 5.5 miles. Lunch and debrief on trail; hike out and wrap up at the parking lot by 4pm.