Kennebec Valley Trail:
Maine
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Description:
The quiet Kennebec Valley Trail (a.k.a. Anson to Bingham Trail) boasts surprising claims to fame: The 14.6-mile trail traces the river and Indian path taken in 1775 by Benedict Arnold, on orders from General George Washington, to capture Quebec from the British; it also follows a historic narrow gauge logging railroad and, at one point, is bisected by the 45th parallel.
The surface is largely packed dirt and crushed stone. Despite intermittent rolling dips from ATV use on the sandy stretches, the trail nevertheless delivers a good mountain bike ride.
While the trail has only been fully developed from south of Solon to Bingham, additional undeveloped (read: less manicured) trail miles stretch north from the North Anson cemetery, nearly doubling the overall length. The line originated as a narrow gauge logging railroad, then hauled freight and passengers up around Moosehead Lake, Maine's largest.
North of Solon, tremendous views of the Kennebec River compensate for occasional rough going on the trail. The river is so wide in places, you may have to remind yourself you're traveling alongside a mighty river and not one of Maine's beautiful lakes. Listen for the cry of loons, especially around dusk; if you're really lucky, you may even spot one up close.
At an electrical generating station near Arnolds Landing (north of Solon), the trail spans a former railroad bridge across the Kennebec. North of the landing, the trail runs within feet of the river for long expanses. Unless you're carrying a GPS receiver, you won't be aware when you cross the 45th parallel-the theoretical midpoint between the equator and the North Pole. You'll eventually emerge at the Bingham trailhead on Goodrich Road.
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Parking & Trail Access:
To reach the North Anson trailhead, take US Hwy. 201A to town and turn west on Fahi Pond Road. The trail starts on the right just before the cemetery.
To reach the Bingham trailhead, take US Hwy. 201 south through town and turn left on Goodrich Road. The parking lot is on the left, with trail access on the right.
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Reviews: [1 trail ratings]
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Beautiful area
By jlw in August, 2010
We missed doing this one after finding the Solan Falls Rd mid-point parking spot. It was off in the woods and thought the location was wrong. Not making the excursion ended up being OK, as we lost a bike tube on one of the bikes before starting.

Second hand report from fellow campers, however, said that starting at the Solan mid-point is a great ride up to Bingham where they stopped in a shop for sandwiches before heading back. Trail was described as ATV and great for bikes.

This route parallels the Kennebec river and Rt 201 with all of the moose crossing warning signs.
Beautiful vistas.

Cautionary note:
If biking/fishing, a possible note of caution here that may or may not quite apply to this section of the river is to be aware of the upper water releases into the river up through The Forks area. Check with locals for water rise times if fishing. If in or near the river, look for the high water marks which may still be damp. Rapid water rises occur on a scheduled basis, and water marks are as much as 6 feet above in The Forks area.

****
Take my rating with a grain of salt. We drove this route of 201 several times, but a bike maintenance issue prevented use from actually riding it and giving a more accurate description. Really wanted to do this one!

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