Traveling north on I-95, you’ll cross into Aroostook County around mile marker 262, a little shy of the Sherman Mills exit. If you notice the snowbanks are higher up this way, well, that’s because it snows a lot and winter is long in these parts. Just the thing if you’re looking for great cross-country skiing and snowshoeing opportunities, which Aroostook has in abundance.
Leaving the four-lane highway behind at Houlton, U.S. Route 1 heads due north through the rolling country of farmlands and forests. In a half-hour, the sharp profile of Mars Hill comes into view, and 8 miles beyond, the distinctive twin peaks of Quaggy Jo Mountain in Aroostook State Park appear on the left.
The park is home to 11 miles of Nordic ski trails and 3 miles of hiking/snowshoeing trails, scenic routes that wander over and around the mountain and along three sides of beautiful Echo Lake. There’s sliding, skating and winter camping to boot.
Aroostook State Park is just one of about 20 wonderful playgrounds for ski and snowshoe fun in the region, according to Eric Hendrickson, a Presque Isle resident and unofficial ambassador for the Aroostook County outdoors. Hendrickson, a retired natural science teacher, and his wife, Elaine, ski or snowshoe as many as 150 days a year.
