Ecotat (Hermon)

I've visited Ecotat twice before (see https://welcome.hikingmaine.org/2020/02/ecotat-hermon.html and https://welcome.hikingmaine.org/2019/08/ecotat-gardens-and-arboretum.html).   Today I visited Ecotat again, this time with my younger son after work.

A light drizzle was falling and the preserve's trails were muddy in parts and snow covered in other sections, but we had a fun visit nevertheless.  Here is a map of our hike.

UMaine Trails - Emera Center to Park Street

My sons and I walked the UMaine trails between Park Street and the Emera Astronomy Center today.  UMaine has many miles of trails throughout its campus, and with the University closed due to the coronavirus, the campus was significantly less crowded than usual.   

The path between Park Street and the Emera Center is paved and runs through a wooded area and adjacent to residential housing.  The total roundtrip distance was a little over a mile from the parking lot to Park Street and back. 

Fields Pond

My sons and I hiked the ravine trail at Fields Pond Nature Center today.  Fields Pond is a nature preserve owned and managed by the Maine Audubon Society and consists of 229 acres of woodland and grassy fields.  Trails are well marked and well maintained. 


Here is a map of our hike.

Dorothea Dix Park (Hampden)

Dorothea Dix Park is a local park in Hampden that provides walking trails through woods and views of the Penobscot River.  This is a nice local park that affords the opportunity to get outside without having to travel far.

My kids and I hiked down to the Penobscot River today.  It was a beautiful day and the park was not at all crowded.

Here is a map of our hike.

Bald Mountain Sunrise (Holden)

I hiked Bald Mountain this morning to watch the sunrise.  I've hiked Bald Mountain on a number of occasions but usually in the afternoon and have never ventured over to the east side of the mountain.  The trail to the summit is approximately 3/4 of a mile but is very steep, and today there was still ice on portions of the trail (ice cleats are highly recommended this time of year). 

Here is a map of my hike. 

Bangor Waterfront

I did a quick 1.5 mile pre-dawn run this morning along the Bangor Waterfront.  The park has a paved path that runs along the Penobscot River and during summer evenings is a great place to listen to concerts at Waterfront Pavilion.  This morning I only saw one other person (another runner) during the time I was there.

Great Pond Mountain Wildlands, Oak Hill (Orland)

Today was the forth time in the past year that I've hiked Oak Hill in the Great Pond Mountain Wildlands. This is an enjoyable hike that is close to home and offers a great workout and fantastic views.

The trail starts at the intersection of Valley Road and Route 1.  There is a parking lot and kiosk at this location.  The hike could be shortened on summer weekends as Valley Road is open to vehicle traffic at that time. 

Today was a sunny 30 degree day.  I had the trail to myself on the hike in, and only encountered a group of three people as I was nearing the parking lot at the end of my hike. 

Here is a map of my hike.