What our guests say
You won’t find another guide service that is more experienced and knowledgeable about these lakes and rivers and their rich history and lore than Lani and Chip. … They are just good, quality people and they bring a certain fun and friendly “vibe” with them on the river and in camp that enhances the experience for everyone. … And when it is over, you’ll have memories to last a lifetime and some new and enduring friendships with the folks you’ve met!
I write to simply praise you and thank you for your role in leading our extended family canoe trip down the St. Croix. … You delivered so beautifully on every count, from trip preparation and logistics, to your ongoing paddling skills workshops, and on to your fantastic cooking, and constant encouragements as our paddling skills grew in the course of our four days. … What I especially value is your consummate professionalism as a trip leader. … They witnessed an adult professional at the peak of his capacity and they all rightfully consider you a truly heroic person.
All three of my siblings and I have gone on one or more of the Allagash Canoe trips; this in itself speaks to the success of the trip. Chip and Lani are great leaders; they are both incredibly experienced, kind, and fun-loving. … Aside from friendships formed and memories made, these canoe trips provide a truly unique experience; never have I before or since been exposed to such incredible wilderness. … I credit these trips in influencing my decision to concentrate in environmental and earth studies in college.
CVA is so lucky that for 20 years Allagash Canoe Trips has been woven into the fabric of CVA! … The collective experience of canoeing, camping, swimming, and hiking builds confidence in each student and builds a strong class bond. But most importantly, the kids have FUN!
I just wanted to thank you for the brilliant trip you organized for me, Fiona and our two children on the St. Croix this July. … The food — whether it was fresh bread rolls, amazing chicken, superb breakfasts; it was exactly what your website has hinted at. … The canoeing — somehow you managed to educate us so that on days 2, 3 and 4 we were shooting rapids and getting a real buzz from it. … I can well see why the business has lasted so long and one year we will be back for the Allagash!
Chip and Lani are licensed Maine Guides and what we came to know as “the real deal” due to their planning, hard work, and awesome open fire cooking skills. … Our first trip was so great, that I have since done a total of five trips with ACT including two more versions of the Allagash trip, a fast ice out trip on the St. John River, and one winter tent camping trip on Flagstaff Lake. Every trip is a unique challenge and adventure.
Your expertise, good nature, organization, and incredibly hard work made the trip such a pleasure from start to finish. … The depth of your knowledge on the Allagash allowed you to turn an unpredictable group of adventurers into a collaborative troop so we could all interact with the river and edges in a joyous way. Tradition and history were present at every moment, as well as the freshness of each day in the wilderness. … I have a feeling you would have made it a profoundly wonderful experience no matter what the heavens decided to do.
My family and I have had three incredibly memorable and distinctly wonderful canoe trips with Chip and Lani over the last 10 years. … Each trip has been unique and rich in memories and enjoyment because of the great care, devotion, experience, and passion for canoeing and guiding that Chip and Lani bring to their trips. They make canoeing easy for the novice and exciting for the experienced and know how to craft a trip for every range of skills.
This was our first trip as a family doing a wilderness trip. Our kids are 5, 7 and 10 and none of them had ever canoed longer than an hour. … We learned how to white water canoe in three short days, chop wood, and brave mosquitos at sunset. It was perfect for our family — hard enough to feel the joy of achieving something by the end and easy enough to have fun! … I highly recommend this outfitter for any family!
60 years and three generations of experience guiding canoe trips on rivers in northern Maine was evident to me in every aspect of my trip. … The Allagash Wilderness Waterway is naturally a magical place of fabulous scenery, forest smells, special wildlife, and watery adventure. While Chip and Lani cannot take credit for creating such a beautiful place, they are pros at helping their guests experience it all to the fullest. … Food? Amazing. … It is so hard to accurately describe how wonderful the meals were, but don’t take my word for it, come and see for yourself.
Winter Trips
What Our Winter Guests Say
Lani leads our winter adventures at Maine Huts & Trails — here’s what a few guests had to say.
Best of all, Lani Love was our guide and provided gentle but confident guidance as we navigated the challenges of skiing down hills… We enjoyed the whole experience so much that my husband and I returned in August with two hiking buddies to hike “end-to-end.”
Not only was she extremely knowledgeable about the trails and surrounding countryside, but she was so pleasant and kind… We could have skied the trails without a guide, but Lani added so much positivity to our experience, that it was well worth the small additional cost.
She knew the surrounding natural world, pointing out signs of wildlife and describing the landscape as we traveled… We had a range of abilities in our group, and our guide encouraged us to go at our own pace… It was an amazing experience to meet and spend time with like-minded individuals who love skiing and being outdoors.
Lani asked each of us about our level of x-country ski touring experience… She took turns skiing with everyone, speeding up or slowing to periodically make contact with every skier throughout the day… Tour day one and the next four were bliss. Lani made a great trip even more enjoyable for us all. My only advice for this trip is to not challenge her to a game of Bananagrams.