The Farmington Recreation Department has wrapped up a second year of hikes with their One Day Wanderers Club. O.D.W.C is a hiking club for any outdoor enthusiasts age 50 and older. The club was created to provide a service that eliminates the danger of hiking alone and is an opportunity to socialize while getting some exercise. In just two years, One Day Wanderers Club has more than 40 members and is still growing. Trails are ranked as intermediate hikes, which offer challenging terrain and stunning views. Once the group summits, they all enjoy a cup of tea at the top. (Photos courtesy of the Farmington Recreation Department)This year, the club completed five hikes all around Western Maine. For starters, the first trip was to the top of Pico Peak located in Industry. The trail is 1.5 miles round trip and ascends 250 feet. Along the trail there are several creative and amusing signs with quotes and paintings. Once reaching the top of the trail, the outlook offers breath-taking views of Clear Water Lake. Hiking here is by permission only.Mount Phillip in Rome was the club’s second hike. The trail is well marked and maintained. Mount Phillip is part of the Kennebec Highlands in the Belgrade area. The trail is 1.3 miles and ascends 300 feet to its summit. There are a few unique monuments found on the peak as well as some wonderful lookouts to view the Belgrade Lakes.The third hike was to Maine Huts and Trails’ Flagstaff Hut. This is a great hike with a loop trail of 3.6 miles. This trail in particular is very gradual and borders the beautiful Flagstaff Lake on the way back to the parking lot. There are a couple alternative trails to a beaver bog and to a peninsula on the lake. The huts offer lunch on the weekends and the option of spending several days on site.With several comments of Piazza Rock from last year, this section of the Appalachian Trail was again offered as the club’s fourth hike this season. Hiking into Piazza Rock begins in the Sandy River Plantation. From the parking lot located off of Route 4, Piazza Rock can be found hiking 2 miles northbound on the AT. Piazza Rock speaks for itself, do you dare to stand under it or even on it?During the peak of Western Maine’s foliage, One Day Wanderers Club wrapped up their season with a hike to the top of Bald Mountain in Oquossoc. This trail is challenging with almost a 1,000-foot ascent from the trail head to the fire tower at the summit. The group was fortunate to experience a rare view of all Rangeley area lakes blanketed by the fog. Once the fog slowly dissipated, it exposed the vibrant colors of the forest.The Farmington Recreation Department would like to thank all members of One Day Wanderers Club who participate in these trips. Each hike is memorable and gratifying. This is a free, safe, and fun opportunity for all and anyone who is interested in joining can call the office at 778-3464. Also, the Rec. Dept. wants to make a special shout out to Willie, Jo and Eddie who completed all five of the scheduled hikes this season! Anyone who completes all five hikes earns the honor of permanently signing their name to the ODWC banner. Keep calm and hike on!
As a new member of the One Day Wanderers Club, I must stay that it’s been a blast! The hikes have been great exercise and a wonderful opportunity to socialize and make new friends. Can’t wait to participate again next year.
I’ve gone on as many hikes as I could for the two years that the Farmington Recreation Department has offered them, and they are among the super
highlights of the summer and fall. The leaders of the hikes, Matt and Seth, are knowledgeable, experienced, accommodating, and fun. The people who sign up for the hikes are helpful and encouraging to each other and we’ve become good friends with each other.
I had only hiked once before in my life when I started with Matt and Seth; I have learned a lot from them and from people in the group; I’ve gotten to be a better hiker than I was, and it was the inspiration for me to work at getting more fit in general.
Everyone who has participated agrees: these hikes are great! We go to beautiful places! Thank you and I can’t wait until next year!
A grateful One-Day Wanderer
Awesome experience to hike with friends and I will definitely sign up again next year! Thanks so much to the Farmington Rec Department!
As a new member of the One Day Wanderers Club, I must stay that it’s been a blast! The hikes have been great exercise and a wonderful opportunity to socialize and make new friends. Can’t wait to participate again next year.
I’ve gone on as many hikes as I could for the two years that the Farmington Recreation Department has offered them, and they are among the super
highlights of the summer and fall. The leaders of the hikes, Matt and Seth, are knowledgeable, experienced, accommodating, and fun. The people who sign up for the hikes are helpful and encouraging to each other and we’ve become good friends with each other.
I had only hiked once before in my life when I started with Matt and Seth; I have learned a lot from them and from people in the group; I’ve gotten to be a better hiker than I was, and it was the inspiration for me to work at getting more fit in general.
Everyone who has participated agrees: these hikes are great! We go to beautiful places! Thank you and I can’t wait until next year!
A grateful One-Day Wanderer
Awesome experience to hike with friends and I will definitely sign up again next year! Thanks so much to the Farmington Rec Department!