Fly Rod Crosby Trail

The trail begins in Phillips, the hometown of Cornelia “Fly Rod” Crosby herself. The official Trailhead is at the Phillips Area Community Center.

This section takes walkers through the historic downtown, passing by Crosby’s brick home and the Phillips Historical Society. The path then crosses the Sandy River. and meanders through the forested grounds of the Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum, offering a glimpse into the area’s rich railway history.

Those wishing to walk the Railroad section only can park on Amble St and walk the FRCT to the Station on Bridge St returning to your vehicle via the railbed.

From Phillips, the trail follows a multi-use motorized trail for about 5 miles along an abandoned railroad bed.

This section connects to Reeds Mills Rd, where hikers will travel 1.5 miles on a gravel road, where there are unique geological features.

After crossing Orbeton Stream, passing the Reeds Mill Church, the Reeds trailhead and kiosk are located on the left.

This segment showcases the trail’s versatility, combining motorized and non-motorized paths.

This section of the trail offers a diverse landscape, following Orbeton Stream and woods roads for 4 miles before reaching Hardy Stream.

Hikers have the opportunity to take the 1-mile Reeds Loop from the trailhead which winds along Orbeton Stream before returning back to the trailhead.

If continuing onto Cascades or Saddleback the path merges with a multi-use motorized trail, passing by several notable places such as the Appalachian and Berry Pickers Trails, and Moose, Deer, and Eddy Ponds.

Cascade Stream Gorge is conserved by the Rangeley Lakes Heritage Trust.

The Saddleback Spur Trail is a branch off the main trail, leading to/from Saddleback Ski Resort. The trailhead and kiosk are located at the end of Rock Pond Rd, past the Saddleback Lodge.

This 1.9-mile spur passes Midway and Rock Ponds, offering stunning views of the surrounding mountains. It also connects with the Appalachian Trail.

This section of the trail is maintained by Bob Greene.

One of the most unique aspects of the Fly Rod Crosby Trail is the 8-mile water route across Rangeley Lake.

Across Rt 4 from Cascade Steam Gorge is the Rangeley Lakes Heritage Trust’s Greenvale Cove property, the launching point to reach Oquossoc Cove.

The trail’s terminus is at the Outdoor Heritage Museum, just two blocks away from Our Lady of the Lakes Chapel, a church with connections to Fly Rod Crosby herself.

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. 

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.

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.

The Alliance hosts a daylong Celebration of the Fly Rod Crosby Trail, including various activities and tours.

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.

The trail is completed ten years after its conception.

The Alliance hosts a celebratory hike from Saddleback to Cascade Stream Gorge Trail kiosk in Sandy River Plantation.

The final trail map is published spanning Phillips to Oquossoc.