Fly Rod Crosby Trail
A Community Trail
The Fly Rod Crosby Trail is a community-driven trail, built and maintained by volunteers. Inspired by the legendary Cornelia “Fly Rod” Crosby, Maine’s first registered guide, the trail has a rich cultural history and provides access to nature throughout many High Peaks communities.
Download full trail maps and individual section maps below to help plan your adventure.
We recommend experiencing the trail through its distinct sections. Each offers unique terrain suitable for all levels of adventurers:
- Downtown Phillips Historical Walk
- Phillips & Sandy River + Rangeley Lakes Railroad
- Reeds Loop & Trailhead
- Saddleback Spur
- Rangeley Lake Paddle
Much of this land is privately owned. Please review the Private Land Use Best Practices. Enjoy your hike!
Download Your Fly Rod Crosby Trail Brochures
Fill out the form to download the Fly Rod Crosby Trail brochure and/or the detailed trail maps of the Historic Downtown Phillips, SR RL Railroad, Reeds Loop, or Saddleback Spur sections.
Pick up a brochure at one of these three trailhead kiosks:
- Phillips Area Community Center (21 Depot Street)
- Madrid (Star Barn Yoga)
- Saddleback Mountain (end of Rock Pond Road)
Additional information and directions can be found on Maine Trail Finder.
Get the Fly Rod Crosby Brochure
Meet Cornelia "Fly Rod" Crosby
The Fly Rod Crosby Trail is a recreational gem, honoring the legacy of Cornelia “Fly Rod” Crosby, who was pivotal in promoting the Rangeley region during the 19th and early 20th centuries. Not only was she an avid sportswoman, but she also championed bag limits and conservation, contributing to the region’s popularity for hunting and fishing.
Now, the Fly Rod Crosby Trail invites users of all interests to embark on an unforgettable journey. Whether you prefer hiking, biking, ATV riding, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, canoeing, or kayaking, there are sections for everyone along this trail.
Building the Fly Rod Crosby Trail... A Timeline
2009
High Peaks Alliance (HPA) initiates its first grassroots project: the creation of the Fly Rod Crosby Trail
FRCT subcommittee is formed, led by Betsy Squibb, Bud Godsoe, and their son, Ben.
Bud Godsoe of Madrid proposes the trail and becomes its first unpaid “Trail Master”
The trail is conceived as a 45-mile recreational and heritage trail on private lands.
Davis Foundation grants $3,000 to the Alliance and Sandy River Land Trust to build the first section of the trail, known as the Reeds Trailhead.
2010
Partnership established with Northern Forest Canoe Trail for trail route across Rangeley Lake
Partnerships formed with local ATV and snowmobile clubs to use existing trails from Phillips to Saddleback
The State of Maine creates the West Saddleback Connector Trail
The Alliance receives a grant from the National Park Service Rivers and Trails program for technical assistance
Franklin County’s TIF monies provide $12,035 for AmeriCorps volunteers and interns to work on the Madrid section
Federal Recreational Trails Program provides $11,724 for the first FRCT welcome kiosk and parking area in Madrid
Maine Conservation Corps also builds a section of the FRCT in Madrid.
2011
FRCT appears on the Maine Trail Finder website.
AmeriCorps volunteer Ben Godsoe contributes text on Fly Rod Crosby for Strong Historical Society’s Local History Project.
2013
The Alliance hosts a daylong Celebration of the Fly Rod Crosby Trail, including various activities and tours.
2014
Publication of the FRCT Nature Guide closely follows a half-mile section of the trail along the Sandy River from the bridge in Phillip to the Sandy River and Rangeley Lakes Railroad Museum.
The guide Includes information on everything from poison ivy and black flies to glacial moraines and frost ribs. The guide was created by Lynn Thurston, a Maine Master Naturalist from Phillips.
2019
The trail was completed ten years after its conception.
The Alliance hosts a celebratory hike from Saddleback to the Cascade Stream Gorge Trail kiosk in Sandy River Plantation.
The final trail map is published, spanning Phillips to Oquossoc.
2024
Tragically, Betsy Squibb, the dedicated FRCT coordinator, passed away, leaving a profound legacy on the trail. Following her loss, Trail Master Bud Godsoe also stepped down from his role.
Despite these challenges, the trail’s momentum continued. The Alliance welcomed Matt Kusper as the new Recreation Ranger, and Matt reinvigorated the trail’s volunteer efforts by re-establishing the volunteer corps and recruiting trail stewards for all non-motorized trail sections.
Two volunteer trail days were organized—one along the Hardy Stream section and another at the Cascades end—ensuring the continued care and maintenance of the trail.
In December, the Sugarloaf Region Charitable Trust granted the Alliance $7,500 toward Fly Rod Crosby Trail improvements.