Stoney Brook Is Happening!

As far as trail development goes, we are excited to share news about the Stoney Brook Pod.

The Stoney Brook Pod of the Carrabassett Valley Trails network is the latest area of focus for trail development. Located a few miles north of the Sugarloaf access road, the Stoney Brook Pod is a significant, exciting addition to the network, designed as a high-elevation, directional, stacked loop system with trails beginning in Wyman Township and crossing into Carrabassett Valley.

The terrain here will feature big climbs, and fast, extended descents in a backcountry setting, incorporating some of the Carrabassett Valley Trails most remote, purpose built single track. This system includes some of the Carrabassett Valley Trail crew’s most innovative building techniques, and has dirt-surfaced flow interspersed with technical, rocky sections.

This pod will act as both a stand alone system accessed via a designated parking area, as well as allowing riders to link together much longer rides to here from the center of the network, via the Stratton Brook Pond Road. This network is funded through a combination of CRNEMBA, Town of Carrabassett Valley, State of Maine, Federal and Franklin County grants, and Private Foundations. 

Three seasons of trail construction have produced 2 stacked loops that opened in the Summer of 2022 and progress is well underway on the 3rd. Unfortunately, due to the May 1, 2023 flooding and nearly 40” of rain received after then, the Stoney Brook Pod did not open during the summer of 2023. However, work was occurring, including significant flood damage repair and hardening of wet areas. Additionally, we have completed construction on a beautiful, brand new parking area and restroom facility!

We are psyched to have accomplished this major infrastructure project this summer, allowing riders to have a dedicated parking area to access the Stoney Brook Pod as well as accessing rides via the Stratton Brook Pond Road. We would like to thank the Franklin County Commissioners for their help in funding this project through the Franklin County TIF grant as well as Fenwick Construction for the site work.  

Due to the Stoney Brook Pod’s northern exposure, high elevation, and differing soil types, this system will be more sensitive to rain than other parts of Carrabassett Valley Trails. As such, we will be managing this network in a slightly different way, and riders can expect delayed seasonal openings here, with the goal to have this network open July 1. As well, riders can expect more nuanced opening and closing procedures around significant rain events. We look forward to welcoming riders to this network in a hopefully much drier 2024 and beyond!

Meet The CRNEMBA Board

We welcomed many new faces to our volunteer Board over the past year. Our goal is to increase communication and enhance the rider experience for all mountain bikers.

Thank you to all of our outgoing Board members for their tireless work for outdoor recreation in Carrabassett Valley and their ongoing support and dedication to CRNEMBA!

Please check out our bios to learn who we are below:

Winter Means Fat Biking!

Fat biking season is up on us, mark your calendars for the annual Sugarloaf Fat Tire Race Sunday February 11, 2024. Also, stay tuned for group fat tire rides and social opportunities in December and January!

We all love to ride the groomed singletrack on our Fatbikes in Carrabassett Valley. Did you know that our Snowdog grooming crew consists entirely of volunteers? These volunteers work in the frigid cold, snow and dark of night so that the trails set up ideally. 

Donate To Our Winter Grooming Fundraiser!

We are seeking to raise $6,500 toward our winter grooming efforts. This investment will pay dividends in groomed winter fat bike trail for seasons to come.

And, Double your Donation in December! A group of anonymous donors have offered to match donations dollar for dollar up to $2,000 in new donations until the end of December! Please help us take advantage of this generous match opportunity and donate today!

These funds are going to support the purchase of our second Snowdog and for parts to keep our 7yr old Snowdog (Sprocket) young and spry.

And, to make this fundraiser even more exciting - we are currently looking to expand our fat biking terrain and are targeting the future purchase of a snowmobile to groom more terrain, more trails, and have more fun!

Get Involved With CRNEMBA

Want to get help, get involved, and do more for our trails? We'd love to have you! Here are some ways to JOIN US:

• Become a Member! Your memberships helps provide trail grants and funds maintenance. It also enables us to reach you via email. 

• Sign up to be a snowshoe volunteer. If you can help us pack the trails for the Snowdog, please drop a note to crnembasnowshoe@gmail.com and we'll add you to our list. Our snowshoe volunteer coordinator will then be in touch to organize volunteers after each major snowfall

• Ride With Gratitude! Our members are our ambassadors, please ride with a smile and greet other trail users who share the trails.

Thank you for an amazing 2023! We're looking forward to continuing this momentum into '24 and building a stronger CRNEMBA and outdoor community in the Carrabasset Valley!

- The CRNEMBA Team