An intense overnight search ended well Dec. 26 when three women who became separated last night while snowmobiling in northern Maine were found. Dorothy Gould, 62, of Glenburn, Alice Meadow, in her 50s and from Texas, and Valerie Morrow, in her 50s and from Garland, were staying together at a camp on Smith Pond, west of Millinocket in Township T3-Indian Purchase.

The three women went snowmobiling last evening and were headed toward Kokadjo when they became stuck near Penobscot Pond in T1R11 between Millinocket and Kokadjo, according to a news release from Maine Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.

Gould left her two friends on snowmobile to find help when she became lost. Gould made her way to the north end of Baxter State Park where she ran out of gas near Nesowadnehunk Field Campground.

None of the women had extra gas or emergency supplies with them.

Game wardens were called early this morning at about 2:30 a.m. and began an intensive search. With temperatures last evening below zero and some thin ice in the area, game wardens were concerned for the women's safety.

Late last evening, Gould made her way to a cabin near Nesowadnehunk Field where she was able to enter and make a fire. Gould stayed the evening in the cabin and was met this morning by snowmobilers traveling in the area.

The snowmobilers provider her with gas and she followed them back towards Millinocket where she met with game wardens around noon today.

Meanwhile, Meadow and Morrow were found this morning by game wardens stranded beside the snowmobile trail. The women were taken to Kokadjo as they were cold and hungry from spending a night outdoors.

More than a dozen Maine game wardens and two Warden Service aircraft were involved in this overnight search effort.

The Maine Warden Service recognizes that this incident was dangerous and could have turned out much worse. It is critical to be prepared for an unexpected stay in the woods and those who snowmobile are reminded to bring a communication device, area trail maps and a means to start a fire.

The impending storm this evening coupled with some thin ice and open water condition s in this area was of high concern to game wardens. Use good judgment and common sense and be prepared when snowmobiling, especially in remote areas of Maine.