Voices from the Trail
Author: Mike
The 90-Miler
The thing that surprises me the most as I recover from paddling my first 90-Miler canoe and kayak race is that my quadriceps are the only muscles that hurt. My arms and shoulders and core muscles that propelled the boat…
That ‘Big Sky’ feeling in Vermont
I heard a man from New Hampshire talk about the views in the North Country recently. He had just returned from driving through the Missisquoi River Valley in northern Vermont, where he was reminded of the scenic vistas that used…
Raquette Lake to Blue Mountain Lake
For thru-paddlers on the Northern Forest Canoe Trail, side trips, such as this one from Raquette Lake to Blue Mountain Lake, are a luxury few can afford. On the other hand, section paddlers often take their time and are treated…
A Family-Friendly Event
Last year I brought my whole family to the Missisquoi Paddle-Pedal. All four of us – ranging in age from four to 42 – tackled the race, enjoying this fun-filled day. I encourage you to do the same; it’s a…
Upper Saranac River Whitewater
When many Northern Forest Canoe Trail Paddlers think of the Saranac River, images of hand-operated locks, many bridges, and wide-open marshlands come to mind. While these are quintessential aspects of this river, they don’t offer a complete picture. The Saranac…
Why Thru-Paddle?
(Editors note: Beth Ziehl and Calvin Decker plan to thru-paddle the Northern Forest Canoe Trail, starting in mid-May. The pair are outdoor enthusiasts who both currently live in the Hudson Valley, where they enjoy paddling, hiking, and biking. The following…
Remembering Bill Schomburg
Our community lost a trail hero in March, when Bill Schomburg, an NFCT volunteer extraordinaire from Columbia, New Hampshire, passed away at age 77. Bill was involved with the NFCT from the get-go. He helped our fledging organization map the…
Upper Ammonoosuc River Paddle-Hike
I plan on revisiting the Upper Ammonoosuc River this summer and combine a paddle with a hike of the Percy Peaks Loop. Bill Schomburg, a dear NFCT friend who passed away recently, told me about Percy Peaks and the Cohos…
Advice for a Thru-Paddle
Paddling the 740-mile Northern Forest Canoe Trail is a challenging adventure that requires thoughtful planning and the proper gear. When planning for my trip in 2011, I sought out advice from numerous sources, including books, maps, blogs, the NFCT organization,…
Tribute to a Friend and Volunteer: Lisa Dyslin
The Northern Forest Canoe Trail community suffered a great loss recently. Lisa Dyslin, a longtime supporter of the trail and the mother of our Adopt-a-Segment program, passed away on January 28. Lisa lived in Wilmington, New York, with her husband…