• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer
High Peaks Alliance

High Peaks Alliance

The Local Voice in Land Conservation | High Peaks Region Maine

  • Volunteer
  • Become A Supporter
  • About
    • High Peaks Region
    • Private Land Use Best Practices
    • Board & Staff
    • Sponsors
  • Projects & Trails
    • Conservation & Access Projects
    • Recreation Rangers
    • High Peaks Outdoor Heritage Festival
    • High Peaks Initiative
      • State of the High Peaks
  • Ways to Give
  • Shop
    • My account
    • Cart
    • Checkout
  • News and Events
  • Contact Us

Communities

High Peaks Alliance Launches Campaign to Conserve Mosher Hill Falls

Explore Maine’s Forests with District Forester Julie Davenport

High Peaks Alliance at the 2025 Fiddlehead Festival: Join Us!

Alliance Secures Funding to Restore Bemis Track

Behind the Scenes: Celebrating Our Dedicated Advisors

Celebrating Access for Recreation in Maine’s High Peaks

Municipal Partnership Meeting Summary

RRGSA Potluck Dinner Brent West speaks

Alliance Connects with Community at Rangeley Guides Potluck

Municipalities Urged to Attend Meeting to Chart Region’s Future

Alliance to Host Après Ski Social at Sugarloaf

Go camping with me. Small kid enjoy camping trip. Small boy sit on tree.

Alliance Receives $8,000 Grant from Quimby Family Foundation

Alliance Celebrates Regional Trail Recovery After December Storm

  • Page 1
  • Page 2
  • Page 3
  • Go to Next Page »
 | Alliance Celebrates Regional Trail Recovery After December Storm | High Peaks Alliance

Severe storm damage decimated trails across multiple counties, including critical routes in Roxbury, Andover, Strong, Phillips, New Vineyard, Eustis, and Carrabassett Valley. Specifically impacted were the Orbeton Crossing and Randy Bunnell Trail, which suffered extensive destruction from high water and storm conditions.

The Alliance called an emergency All Hands on Deck Regional Motorized Meeting last December and the local snowmobile and motorized trail clubs demonstrated remarkable solidarity. Everyone spoke about the damage. Clubs said how they did not know what to do or how they would get trails open for a successful 2024 season. 

County Commissioner Bob Carleton was instrumental in securing funding for recovery efforts, ORV representatives Joe Higgins and James Turner brought valuable insights from the off-road vehicle community. Additionally, Senator Russell Black and Representatives Mike Sobeleski, Randy Hall, and Scott Landry were present.

Community<strong> Leaders</strong> | Alliance Celebrates Regional Trail Recovery After December Storm | High Peaks Alliance

Community Leaders

Lee Libby, President of the Rangeley Lakes Region Snowmobile Club, offered equipment and personnel to help reopen ITS 84 & 89. 

Dana Bowman and John Rogers, Alliance Board members, were instrumental in securing a $100,000 TIFF grant from the Franklin County Commissioners. “The storm’s impact was unprecedented, threatening not just our trails but our entire regional economy,” Bowman stated. The funds were used to build bridges and replace culverts. Here are a few highlights: 

  • Miles of the Randy Bunnell Trail were repaired using materials donated by the Commissioners from the Madrid Reeds Mill Pit. Hayden York hauled materials and Scott Schroeder and Rob Elliot completed the groundwork.
  • At the Orbeton Stream crossing Lee Libby and Mike Koob from Rangeley Lakes Region Snowmobile Club cleared from the north and assisted in installing a new bridge for ITS 84 & 89.
  • Topher Hunt from Salem Sno-Drifters worked single-handedly to reopen trails between Salem and Strong. 
  • The Strong Club had lost a bridge in May of 2023, reinstalled another one in November 2023, and then lost it again in December 2023. It has been replaced again. 

It Takes Community Collaboration

Brent West praised the community’s efforts: “The collaboration we’ve witnessed is inspiring. Our community’s resilience shines through during these times. Dozens of volunteers stepped up to complete these projects for their community and their sport.”

A new regional motorized council has been formed to enhance communication and rapid response capabilities. The next Regional Motorized meeting, scheduled for December 5, 2024, will focus on strengthening inter-club relationships and developing more robust emergency response strategies.

“We’re not just rebuilding trails,” West added, “we’re building a more connected and resilient community.”

The High Peaks Alliance extends its gratitude to all clubs, volunteers, and officials who contributed to this regional recovery effort.

Before & Afters of the Trail Work

Take a look at that.

📸 | Dana Bowman and James Turner

Your Contributions to High Peaks Alliance Make Conservation in the Region Possible

Become a Supporter

Footer

Contact Info

  • (207) 491-2750
  • PO Box 987, Farmington, ME 04938

Join Our Newsletter

Important Links

  • Our Projects
  • News and Events
  • Become A Supporter
  • Ways to Give
  • Volunteer
  • Download the State of High Peaks Report

Latest News and Events

  • Voices of the High Peaks: Cathy Haines
  • Trail Days Ahead: Come Help Out with High Peaks Alliance
  • Community Comes Together for a Successful Outdoor Heritage Celebration
  • Wildlife Watch with Carson
  • Voices of the High Peaks: Ken Beaulieu, Trail Steward
  • Alliance and TRAC Partner to Spotlight Hidden Gems with the Scenic 7

Join Our Newsletter

Copyright © 2025 · High Peaks Alliance · Non Profit Web Design Services