V7E4: Navigating the North Maine Woods

There are no paved roads in this episode. This week, I explore the North Maine Woods from south to north, and experience numerous secluded tracks and some lesser known campsites along lakes and waterways. Wildlife is abundant here, and the going gets tough as some of the logging roads are long-forgotten!

[@joseantoniocardona2019]

I'm Mexican, from Guadalajara and I was in these places in 1996 working for a forestry company making brush cutting. It was a dream. I really enjoy your video and I wish a lot to come back some time there. Greetings and prayings for you.

[@timcole6882]

This is my back yard, enjoy its endless sites and beauty. Amazes me most people only know Maine for its coast.

[@tinahammond4438]

I live on the coazt, my maine vacations are always north.

[@MakerInMotion]

I've been vacationing near Houlton every October for 15 years.

[@turkey4957]

It’s one of the only places in the NE with real dispersed camping and backcountry public land travel as well

[@GratefulOverlander]

Growing up in the west coast I can tell you no one here ever mentions that area for its coast lol. Only time you hear Maine talked about, is for fall foilage

[@GratefulOverlander]

@@tinahammond4438 "coazt" ?? U sure about that?

[@ddbrocato]

All I can think about while watching your videos is how you have to come back to get your camera each time the shot cuts.

[@sully4019]

I grew up in Millinocket, Maine ..traveled all those roads many times..Penn. Mass and especially NJ about as welcome as a baby ruth in a swimming pool..LOL

[@gustavoroth62]

I've watched this video like 4 times...way too good

[@herbhewlett4676]

I was fishing on [you can't find it pond] two days before you drove in there.The yellow canoe you pictured is mine. I do take exception to your comment about abandoned canoes .These canoes are left there by folks like me [Mainers] who don't mind others using their boats. But there is always some out of stater who doesn't know or is to lazy to flip them back over [upside down] so they do not fill with water. The North Maine Woods is a treasure of private land that we have access to.Please take care of it and be careful ,no houses ,no electricity ,no paved roads just thousands of miles of woods ,some bridges are abandoned so use caution crossing them. Remember that logging trucks have the right of way Herb

[@allenrobbins9138]

Herb Hewlett you should learn take you junk out of the woods so other don’t have to look at your canoe.

[@herbhewlett4676]

@@allenrobbins9138 You are right ,so from now on I am going to lock up my canoe and not let anyone else use it.I will put a big sign on it saying Allen Robbins is not allowed to use my canoe.

[@TheREALLibertyOrDeath]

Real fishermen don’t lug boats around

[@krasnaludek298]

Herb Hewlett Remove your canoe - lazy bums like you ruin the natural settings.

[@reillyfake8947]

I always love seeing people expl my beautiful home state i hope you liked it. God bless

[@plainsimple442]

Always nice to be in Maine during Black Fly season......

[@JCintheBCC]

"The City of Caribou" -- you are a generous man.

[@turkey4957]

Booming metropolis of Caribou

[@Sushi2735]

Wow,,such beautiful country ❤ great rig too!

[@metroplexchl]

I love at 4:40 that you used your blinker. I was commenting to my dad in a similar situation years ago how weird it was to be 20 miles from the nearest person, and I used my blinker and was uneasy driving down benign country roads with no seatbelt.

[@swikfors]

Wow! Northern Maine is stunningly beautiful! Look forward to your adventure every Friday!

[@lorettomccartney6295]

You have a great rig for the north woods , bud. The whole set up is perfect for fun in the Maine woods.

[@lauraburke3854]

Iam from Northern Maine and enjoy watching this so much. Been to many of the same places. Thank you.

[@josedacunhafilho]

4:32 the sure sign of a disciplined driver… putting the blinker on in the middle of nowhere with no one in sight.

[@danmarklesr6260]

I also do that, at 67, its automatic.

[@22358]

Maine is so beautiful!

[@aimee-lynndonovan6077]

Beautiful sunny day in a pristine area. Hate the horseflies, black flies and mosquitoes! 🤪🙄😄

[@Bwh-rm3py]

I just got back from Maine and I can say that I will always go back. I love it there.

[@wmmaine]

Venture4wd, one other suggestion. When in the back country, utilize a winch that fits a receiver. I have a receiver on the front and rear of my jeep. Can pull in either direction. Oh. And never go up there without two spares. Better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it.

[@jeannejackson8582]

Just found you on KZbin. Am really enjoying the trips you are sharing. I am from Maine and you've given me some excellent ideas on some trips to take in Maine. Please keep up the good work!

[@garyputman8782]

Hi Chris! You NEED some fishing gear to partner with that Kayak Your videos are first class enjoy your adventures.

[@1111Overland]

So I was traveling for work this week and decided to pick up a Sandwich in Sandwich, MA. While I’m at the visitors center learning about the area, a lovely couple pull up in a sand colored Rubicon. I say “nice Jeep” and we start up a conversation about Jeeping. We end up talking about how much we LOVE your videos and how we’ve both met you (he met you at Ok4WD a few weeks ago, I met you at EJS a few years ago) fun to connect with fellow fans!

[@turkey4957]

The only part of your comment I care about is that you got a sandwich in sandwich mass, that is absolutely legendary

[@ArniethePirate]

In one of your shots, I saw a black bear. Nice menu....lots of cheese, salsa, sandwich meat and to top it off---->PIZZA! I love my state and nice video, great job. Also, thanks for killing some of our mosquitoes while you were here.

[@oldman5250]

Got to say helo from 1 old Maniac to another. I left Maine back in the 1960's and went into the military for over 20 years. Now I live on the west coast. I am going to add your channel to my list of favorites.

[@johnmooreii2381]

Leadbetter falls. Spent my summers there as my Dad worked for the northern at Comstock camps

[@BluRibTac]

the turn signal on the logging road is a nice touch

[@venture4wd]

Haha thanks!

[@rodwood693]

Looks like that bug hat was money well spent! 😜👍🏼

[@outdoorjo6752]

Over the months and as my year clicks over, I have come to find your clips strangely addictive. Of course I don't love everything, dry sandwiches for one :-O and of course as a dedicated angler, the fact that you don't fish irks me to the core whenever I see you on a beautiful stretch of water lol, but seriously, there is a serenity and continuity to your vids that keep me coming back for more and looking forward to your next adventure. I am mostly astounded by the variety and beauty of your great countryside and wild places right across the US of A and each area has it's own unique beauty once you find it, and find it you do. Please keep up the good work, here's to the next one. atvb ODJ.

[@johnmccaffery5186]

Amazing, that’s how I feel exactly, I’ve been binge watching since V2 over the last three weeks. But I keep coming back

[@hooperv]

I like how you used a signal light to make a turn out there in no man's land. lol

[@jamiegruenke3765]

I love and appreciate your calm demeanor but you’re so cute when you’re mad! This kept me on the edge of my seat hoping you wouldn’t run out of gas. Love love your videos Chris! I always look forward to the next! PS, I also enjoyed your specialty egg and cheese sandwich today for breakfast! ❤️😉

[@williamemmons8816]

Very rarely do you need 4wd on NMW roads. Save the gas. I do a lot of truck camping and fishing up there. I always have spare gas , tire patch kit , dc air compressor. Come alongs tow chains and jumpers. Pulled many people out , met a couple from Connecticut at Telos gate . They didn’t do their homework and went in on a half tank of gas expecting gas stations in the NMW. I let them have 5 gallons of my spare and suggested they go to Abol and fill up. NMW is a lot bigger and more remote than most people know. Good luck and keep exploring!

[@williamemmons8816]

Maine also has a large portion of conservation and preserved lands, very similar to the Northwoods. I would recommend starting with Nahmakanta. Those boats were not a graveyard, people leave boats at remote locations to save wear on their boat trailer. Lots of native brook trout and LL Salmon in those ponds.

[@radosawjurkiewicz3372]

Hello Chris. I would like to thank you very much for your films. You show them how beautiful America is. My name is Radek, I am Polish, but I live in Germany. Sometimes I manage to pack my jeep and go somewhere in the mountains, unfortunately in Western Europe overland is illegal. greetings

[@personwhoexists4491]

Why is it illegal

[@conniewaite1996]

Really nice as usual.love the moose shot! Next time you make spaghetti, just add the noodles to the sauce to cook together.no boiling and draining needed.noodles will soak up excess water in the sauce,become more flavorful and if it looks too thick as it cooks,add a dab of water.

[@swkohnle08]

Always look forward to your videos Chris. I lived in the Maine woods for eight years. One thing I found is dark colored clothing attracts Black Flies and Mosquitoes more than lighter colored clothing. Cheers

[@robertc783]

And eat uncooked onion and garlic. Maine is amazing.

[@openyoureyes3969]

Do the mosquitos let up in October?

[@swkohnle08]

Openyoureyes39 only if they have gotten enough blood from us during the summer months.. 😜

[@openyoureyes3969]

LMAO But I feel like you guys have less of a tick problem.@@swkohnle08

[@rdsmith4982]

Love it when you use your turn signal out there!!

[@lorettomccartney6295]

I have a camp in Sherman and we wander the North Woods alot.

[@twinkletoe5884]

lived here my whole life every summer the battle of the bugs up north wow but it is so worth it rock on looks like fun

[@kevinjustice6209]

Condiments bro, condiments. get on it!!!! I will send you some if required!!!! thanks for allowing us on your journey!

[@davidcolinstillman5585]

👋 CHRIS ! THE MOOSE WAS REAL COOL 😎 THE WEATHER SKY & WATER WAS GORGEOUS !

[@alainouellette3160]

As a resident of Fort Kent, the NMW is our backyard. Outstanding country and might I add, you've done well, chum.

[@cmajaa1]

Hi Chris, Mainer here, up here the bug situation eases up by the end of July

[@markrichards6863]

It's beautiful in the summer. Just bring your deep woods off or you'll be miserable. I did a three day canoe trip years ago with a friend. It was the most peaceful experience in my life. It was early September and we basically had the rice to ourselves. Blessed with good weather, it was probably the best outdoors experience I ever had, and I've done a lot of wilderness hiking in the east and west. The amount of wildlife up there is amazing. It's hard to believe we were still on the east coast.

[@joshwillard6535]

WOW! Impressive channel , you do great work with your content . NMW is our happy place! Your rig is super cool.

[@andyandcallie]

This was so nice to watch! Thank you! I miss my kayak and my pond. I can't wait to get back to Maine!!

[@TNG64]

Very nicely done.

[@lauriecurtis1170]

One of my favorite place to camp out! Miss camping up there it been 15 yrs..sense I been there! Great. Place to be

[@skippythetownie3123]

Your winch recovery kit should have three snatch blocks, three tree straps, two thirty foot recovery straps, and several adequate shackles. With this you can reverse winch. Awesome video, I love northern Maine!

[@Wingman115]

Awesome trip. I grew up just south of Fort Kent in Portage Lake. Aroostook County is awesome for sure. I’m currently living in San Diego but I have fond memories of my youth in Portage.

[@samwebster1266]

Welcome to Maine!!! From a local!!

[@michaelsockwell6343]

I live in Maine and have canoed the Alligash Waterway twice, I love it there. This is a great video, you got some great equipment! It looks like you had a really good time, although I think your crazy for going out in the wilderness alone lol. Thanks for documenting and uploading your journey I really enjoyed it.

[@Charlie-lh4xb]

That's home for me, I live in the Midwest now but will retire somewhere @ there in a camp on a lake soon enough. Thx for taking us along, brings back great memories. Surprised I haven't seen u get pushed over by a lumber truck going 60mph 😆

[@jacmens]

Real nice area to drive thrue love the way you make the vlogs, keep on traveling Chris, greetings from Holland.

[@matthewkeoseian6819]

ahhhhhh the sound of a tent zipper..I miss camping

[@chingon_grandpa]

Dude you actually warmed the spaghetti sauce..i think thats the first time I've seen you do that..bravo! Add some ground turkey to that sauce..brown the turkey first before adding in the sauce please. Good luck. Hey, and good job btw. Thanks for sharing Chris.

[@jalilburdeen8698]

Brotha man a set of Maxtrax is something you need. Especially being solo 99% of the time.

[@avenger007007]

Maxtrax and more then 1 extra fuel canister.

[@romanford431]

Totally agree 👍 And they colour match the jeep 😁

[@StuartJuggernaut]

that rig is so epic

[@lorettomccartney6295]

The best bit of gear is his bug net. For June.

[@drivingwithdaddy4399]

Chris , thank u for motivating and inspiring me. You’ve helped me find direction too a path too a hopefully earlier retirement ( by investing more money) so I can do similar things that u are doing. Exploring and seeing the country that too many of us don’t get too see first hand. And happy too see u met someone. Adventure is always more enjoyable with a companion. Keep up the great work.

[@Salt999]

Great video!

[@aidenmcmanus4528]

this makes me so pumped to save up for a jeep and to go camping in a few weeks

[@hikingff77]

Best episode yet. Thx.

[@gilbertarnold8666]

Great video thank you!

[@302mck7]

Got to north woods every year .that place is awesome, got check out the abandoned trains. Some of gated roads are cabins that are on leased land.

[@turkey4957]

It’s just too bad the NE has no real extensive national forest backcountry that’s completely public like the West. Coming from the west watching this it’s almost maddening that a place so wild and vast is still largely controlled by private and industrial interests and you have to tiptoe around. Out in the mountain west you can traverse 100 miles off pavement + without disturbance or a single gate

[@302mck7]

@@turkey4957 yea I believe 7 logging companies own the land and manage it. Most gates are for private camps. It does cost access it but being on the east coast its worth it. We drive over 10 hours to go.

[@amx19733]

Best thing on my tv!!!!!thank you !!

[@kennethvalerio3282]

Great video by far one of the better ones

[@henryi9738]

Chris, I hope you head up to Allagash, ME and try to find the 1976 UFO site.

[@nickwood804]

Beautiful area, great video. Thank you!

[@meatballnevaeh]

Maine is by far my favorite place in the world. When you mention where can you find maps for this area to pre plan.

[@OldGriz708]

It's my second favorite place behind the upper peninsula of Michigan.

[@williamemmons8816]

You can contact Northwoods Maine directly and they will send you a map. DeLorme Maine atlas/ gazateer has all of Maine in it , and is one of the best maps of the area.

[@GIGUNS-0341]

another outstanding video.

[@antontekare5202]

Great vid as usual thanks for the share from new Zealand

[@mikepelletier4756]

I see you’re in Maine! My wife and I live in Freeport, three miles from L. L. Bean. If you make it to this area I’d love to meet you say hello and check out your Jeep. You’re living my Jeep dream.

[@deborahbeaulieu6740]

Beautiful!!!

[@scottbowman5673]

Great vid! Hope your travels are grand, have a happy 4th of July. Can’t wait until your next vid, living a dream through your vids. Thank you so much for sharing your life in the back country with us. Take care and be safe! Need to get my Jeep out in the woods.

[@andreashk9291]

Super 👍 Video, as always!

[@garystrickland3381]

Great videos Chris. Your adventures are interesting and fun to watch. You do a great job!!

[@davestinytrailertravels526]

Thanks Chris. Maine is beautiful that was a lake you could spend many days on it looked like great shots

[@Arnuss_Jr]

Eu gosto de café, mas pela quantidade de café que você toma de uma única vez, deve ser apaixonado por ele. Mais um excelente vídeo.

[@denisestarr2314]

i drove my jeep to Maine.spent a couple of weeks prowling. i love Maine

[@timetogodoug]

Thanks Chris, have a great week.

[@gringo3009]

Beautiful area. Damn the skeeters!

[@maxpowersbigfoothunter3825]

I was so happy to see you heat the spaghetti sauce!

[@shouldibehere]

First time, I think. haha

[@mooseknuckle8334]

It's nice to see someone actually putting one of these rigs to use instead of some muscle head townie who bought one for the social status.

[@davidringo4672]

That would be me.. muscle head townie 😊 But seeing this video of venture4wd in Maine.. where I live in New England has me wondering about taking my Jeep off-road a couple of times a month.. maybe start with some basic camping next spring.

[@johnmottshaw4302]

I have one (almost the same set up - Smittybuilt) and we put it to HARDCORE use along the East Coast. Lol

[@mooseknuckle8334]

@@johnmottshaw4302 any clips?

[@johnmottshaw4302]

@@mooseknuckle8334 yes. I recently explored the Blue Ridge Mountains in North Carolina. I have to figure out how to download pictures to this forum… We plan to explore The North Maine Woods for 9 days starting the last week of July that ends into the 1st week of August.

[@lambertsaldi1550]

Awesome footage and great trip thank you for sharing 👍 The Vermonter

[@bpp9199]

You missed the Ghost Trains and Tramway in the NMW near Eagle and Chamberlin lakes. It is well worth the effort to track down and visit.

[@TB-jj9tu]

Between Chamberlain lake and Eagle lake there are two old steam locomotives that were abandoned by early logging companies. There is a log tram that connects the two lakes. It’s pretty odd to see two trains in the middle of the woods.

[@Brian_Moser1118]

genuine and perfect footage and filming skills, and good length for outdoors

[@carlsagan2561]

Really glad I stumbled upon your video, I had no idea this was there.

[@wmmaine]

Venture4wd, too bad you did not know about Macannamac Camps on Haymock Lake less than 20 miles from your Spider Lake campsite where they have gasoline. (Been working up there part-time for the owners for over 20 years). Nice video and narration. Glad you enjoyed your trip.

[@MikeJones-og1hu]

Keep up the great work. Looks like a beautiful area and you seem to have enjoyed it. Staying longer in an area seems to help you more.

[@aidanparker9543]

I was just camping there for four days from july 5-9 that’s sweet

[@terrysaunders8948]

its beautiful up here

[@bluestormcloud791]

We have those same spiders here too. They have been known to carry off small dogs to lay their eggs on.

[@caseymohr9764]

Chris....please let me send you some mayo and mustard :D

[@outdoorjo6752]

.... and butter! Man I almost choked when he bit into that dry sandwich right? :-D

[@jdenmark1287]

missing Maine....if you ever want to make a water crossing to Hawaii, let me know. The ferry ride is a little pricey but its a great place to chill in the winter.

[@tegunn]

enjoying your vids...

[@alexcazanas6899]

Can’t wait for next week!

[@joshleal9811]

Beautiful place.

[@kilo5overlanders]

I have noticed that you use your commode as a table. I have the same one, just make me laugh. Good content keep up the good work.

[@jeepinpete4016]

Good to see you using the kayak. Love the Maine experience as I have never seen that area, being from California. Other than being buggy, it looks beautiful.