Building a FreakOut: Moose Country!

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FreakOut is packed with things to do, in a group, on own, morning, noon and night. BUT! I can’t get the idea of “MOOSE TOUR!” Out of my head. I’m laughing because I know everyone thinks we already have too much. Is there such a thing?

I’m fascinated with moose. Who doesn’t want to see the tallest animal in North America in its own habitat?  There are a bunch of Moose Tour businesses. If you want to call the professionals, I listed a few below.

Dan’s Scenic Tours, LLC, North Conway, Gorham & Jackson, NH, dansscenictours.com. Adult $30, Ages 6-12 $20, 5 & Under $10.

North Conway Moose Safari Moose Tour, mwvmoosetours.com

Tues, Thurs, Sat $45-$35 covers all taxes and Fees.

Gorham NH Moose Tours gorhammoosetours.org, they run June-September, $35.

Pemi Valley Moose Tours – Moose Tours, Wildlife Tours, moosetoursnh.com. Three-hour evening tour, open 7 days.

A few moose facts:

  • Moose are the largest living deer species worldwide and the tallest mammal in North America, with adults standing 6 feet tall from the ground to shoulder.
  • You’ll find moose hanging around wet areas, bogs, ponds, streams and even wayside puddles. They like to slurp up the salt run-off from the roads. I guess someone should enjoy the salt on the roads. I hope they start slurping soon. I want to get Little Red back on the road.
  • Moose are “herbivores” and eat as much as 50 to 60 pounds of leaves, twigs, and aquatic plants per day.
  • Did you know they could swim? Adult males “Bulls” average 1000 to 1500 pounds and adult females “Cows” 800 pounds. That’s a lot of weight to pull through the water at about 6 mph.
  • Moose are near-sighted, but have a keen sense of smell and hearing. 
  • Their front legs are longer than their hind legs, allowing them to maneuver over large obstacles in the woods.  
  • Males have a dark brown / black muzzle, while the females are light brown.
  • Only Males grow antlers. They grow a new set every spring and shed them in the winter. The new set of antlers will be larger than the year prior. Adult antlers may weigh as much as 40lbs.
  • The flap of skin / long hair that hangs from the throat is called the “Bell” and is more pronounced in adult males.
  • The life expectancy for moose is 10-12 years, although some may live for up to 20 years.  
  • Calves are born in mid-May or early June (Just in time for FreakOut) and weigh just 20-30 pounds; by fall their weight will have increased to 300-400 pounds.  Female moose are pregnant for 8 months.
Moose family photo that I obviously did not take.

It looks like the best place to find moose is in the Great North Woods. So, the Dixville Notch drive has great moose sighting potential!

Leave early, if your serious about looking for moose and head up to Gorham. Stop at the McDonald’s for a rest stop and breakfast or a snack. Park in the back parking lot to enjoy your meal and watch the Androscoggin River flowing by. It’s a pretty view, you’ll forget it’s a McDonald’s.

Gorham McDonald’s

On Route 16 in Milan, you will pass a sign reading 13 Mile Woods.

Just beyond is where Luis and I saw a moose around 2:00 pm (so not early AM or twilight.) The moose was about 70’ away from the road munching on bushes. It was exciting, he was watching us but wasn’t threatened by us. He just continued to eat until he eventually made his way into the woods. I’m posting our pathetic photo again (Also in the February 3 blog) so you can see what you’ll get with an iPhone. If you want a great photo you may want to pack something better. Or maybe just a newer phone. My phone is an 8.

You’ll have to zoom in to see the Moose. We called him Bob.

Routes 16 and 26 cross in Errol. The Dixville Notch ride turns from Route 16 onto Route 26 heading toward Dixville Notch. Route 26 into Dixville Notch is said to be a great place to see moose.

If you want to take a short detour from the Dixville Notch Drive in Errol, both Routes 16 and 26 head toward Maine into the Umbagog National Wildlife refuge. This is a good time to note Maine has a moose population of 60,000 to 70,000. Second only to Alaska. New Hampshire has 3,300 and Vermont has 3,000. This area is said to have an abundance of moose. Route 16 from Errol to the Maine border is 14 minutes, 9.1 miles, 28 minutes 18.2 miles round trip. Route 26 from Errol to the Maine border is 12 minutes, 8.5 mile, 24 minutes, 17 miles round trip.

The Dixville Notch Drive continues on Route 26 into Colebrook and over the Vermont border onto Route 102. But if you’re really, really, moose crazy you can take another detour onto Route 3 in Colebrook to Pittsburg. Route 3 north of Pittsburgh is known as “Moose Alley”. Moose Alley has to be good with that name! It runs from Pittsburg to the Canadian border. From Colebrook through Pittsburg to the Canadian Border is 53 minutes, 35.7 miles each way, adding 1hr 46 minutes and 84 miles to your drive. Also, a little side trip off Route 3 is East Inlet Wildlife Management area, north of Pittsburg. The turnoff to East Inlet Road is 45 minutes from Colebrook. I’m guessing only the truly dedicated will venture up Route 3 to the border. Although, it’s a chance to say, Hi to Canada and that’s always fun. Bring your passports! If you do this ride on Thursday as scheduled, watch your time. The Welcome dinner is at 7:00.

Map of Dixville Drive

Closer to the Grand Summit, Bear Notch Road to Lincoln is another popular area to find moose. That would be along the Kancamagus highway. The Kancamagus area is busier than the Great North Woods. There are moose out there but they are shy and harder to find in busier areas. Starting out before sunrise or just before sunset would be optimal.

Maybe, take breakfast to go one morning, head to Sugar Hill Overlook on the Kancamagus and enjoy a sunrise on your moose search. Sunset will also be nice at Sugar Hill Overlook.

Another spot I’ve heard about is Route 110 North of Berlin to Route 110A. I had a thought so I mapped it out. We could give members a second post Concorso drive! It’s not etched in stone, yet. Luis and I are going to drive it the next chance we get.

This is the plan:

Starting on Route 16 at the Concorso field, turn left toward Gorham. Turn left again onto Route 110 in Berlin. Step up your moose search, you’re in the zone! Follow Route 110 to Route 110A. Hopefully at this point you’re jubilant over the many moose you have found. If not, I have a treat, Route 110A ends at Route 16, turn right onto Route 16 and just down the road on your right is the Nansen Ski Jump! On your left is the Androscoggin River with its Boom Piers! Both the Nansen Ski Jump and Boom piers are on the Dixville Notch drive but I know many of you are doing the Cog Railway or Club Motorsports that day so this is your chance to check them out. To get everyone back in time for the Awards Banquet I’m sending you back the way you came. You’ll continue on Route 16 passing Mount Washington, heading toward, Jackson, Glen, Bartlett and The Attitash Grand Summit. Enjoy the view, it’s different heading South and just as beautiful as heading North. I’ll let you know how it goes.

Last but not least, before I send you out on a Moose adventure, I need to say, moose are huge! Much, much, bigger than a Fiat. As I mention above, an adult moose can average 1,000 – 1,500 pounds. They stand 6 to 7 feet at their shoulder and can be 8 – 9 feet in length.

You don’t want to take him for a ride.

When you head for moose country don’t race up the road.

Evidently the bog on the other side of the road is much tastier because you’ll find moose making their way across the road, standing in the road and beside the road. Be aware of your surroundings. If you want to pull over to watch them do so cautiously. Do not attempt to approach them. Although they look goofy and fluffy and maybe a bit cuddly, they are not friendly and they are much faster than they look. They can run 35 miles per hour.

As always, can’t wait for you to join us! 81 days!