Moose Pond & Shawnee's Stark Beauty and more...

Shawnee Peak, Moose Pond Bridgton, Maine

Located on the northern end of Pleasant Mountain, Shawnee Peak is the oldest major ski area in Maine.

Early Skiing on Pleasant Mountain

Shawnee Peak's skiing history dates back to 1935, when multiple groups started developing a winter recreation area on the northern slopes of Pleasant Mountain. The Bridgton Lions Club, Bridgton Chamber of Commerce, Bridgton Academy, Portland Ski Club, and Bridgton Civilian Conservation Corps joined together to construct the Wayshego Trail. Laid out by Max Wheildon, Bud Dow, and Clarence Kneeland, the 1.5 mile trail was only the start of what was to come.

In 1937, Bridgton selectmen obtained a Works Progress Administration grant for further development of the ski area. A team of 40 started work, eventually growing to 125. On January 23, 1938, a 1,100 foot rope tow opened, serving lower mountain slopes. The Wayshego Trail was also widened and smoothed for that winter. Other attractions included a ski jump, and cross country skiing. By the time the 1938-39 season rolled around, some $20,000 had been invested in the project.

Likely following the WPA improvements, the Mt. Pleasant Ski Club took charge of improvements. For the 1940-41 season a 300 foot rope tow was added for beginners. Also around this time, the town of Bridgton purchased the land on which the ski area was located. The land was then leased to the Bridgton Chamber of Commerce. Soon thereafter, a group including Russ Haggett formed Pleasant Mountain Corporation and purchased the ski area.

Following World War II, Russ Haggett became general manager of the ski area. Meanwhile, the Wayshego Trail was renamed Jack Spratt in honor of Pleasant Mountain's second manager.

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Denmark Dam at Moose Pond Denmark, Maine

(Michael Corthell video)

Moose Pond is located in the towns of Bridgton, Denmark and Sweden, in the state of Maine. Camp Winona, a camp for boys, Camp Wyonegonic, a camp for girls, and Shawnee Peak Ski Area, a ski resort, are located on the pond.

The lake supports landlocked salmon and lake trout in the middle basin. The pond also supports populations of largemouth bass, holds Maine's record 11 lb. large mouth bass, smallmouth bass, yellow perch, white perch, chain pickerel, hornpout, rainbow smelt, white sucker, fallfish, golden shiners, pumpkinseed sunfish and slimy sculpin.