Edythe Dyer Library Trail (Hampden)

There is a short (0.3 miles, or 0.6 roundtrip) trail located behind the Edythe Dyer Library in Hampden.  Though short, the trail offers views of the Penobscot River.

I've been to the Edythe Dyer Library many times but today was the first time I've walked along this trail.  I was pleasantly surprised by the views as the trail winds through tall trees with views from high above the Penobscot River.  The trail itself is in excellent condition and well worn.  Here is a map of my walk.

Hiking the Veazie Railroad Bed

The Veazie Railroad Bed is a multiuse trail that runs from Orono to Bangor and connects the Caribou Bog Conservation Area, Bangor City Forest, the North Penjajawoc Forest, the Northeast Penjajawoc Preserve and the Walden Parke Preserve.  It follows the rail bed of the former Bangor, Old Town and Milford Railroad (also known as the Old Veazie Railroad), which operated from 1836 to 1869 transporting passengers and cut wood from Milford to Bangor. 

There is roadside parking on Taylor Road near the intersection with Forest Avenue.  I was able to hike in a little over 3 miles before coming to a section of trail marked private property (were it not for this section of private property, the trail would also connect to Essex Woods).  The trail, although flat and straight, provides nice views of several wetlands and forested areas. The trail was dry today and well-trimmed (in the summer the grass on the trail can grow quite tall and harbor ticks). 

Here is a map of my hike.

Caribou Bog Conservation Area - Newman Hill and Bangor Hill

My sons and I hiked Newman Hill and Bangor Hill within the Caribou Bog Conservation Area (CBCA) this morning.  CBCA is managed by a number of different organizations, and trail maps for the area are available on the Orono Land Trust's website (oronolandtrust.org).

Maps of the area show a large number of trails in a very small area.  Although the trails are well marked for the most part, there are a number of unmarked trails running throughout the area, making navigation challenging.

There were limited views of Pushaw Lake from the top of Newman Hill.  The land trust's map shows a Katahdin Mountain viewing spot near Bangor Hill; however, we were unable to locate it and the summit offered limited obstructed views.

Despite the navigation challenges and lack of views, we enjoyed ourselves. Here is a map of our hike.

Eagle Bluff (Clifton)

I hiked Eagle Bluff in Clifton today after work.  I last hiked this area back in November after it had snowed.   The trail was considerably easier to hike today as it was dry.   Although short, the trail to the summit is very steep.  The summit itself has terrific views of the surrounding area although there are steep drop offs so care should be used.   After hiking the summit I visited the climbing area at the base of the cliff.

Here is a map of my hike.

 

 

 

My Twitter Account

I started a Twitter account (https://twitter.com/hiking_maine) to track all of my activities, not just those that are "blog worthy."  My goal is to get outside each weekend and do something.  There are many times, however, that I would like to revisit nearby locations.  While this is enjoyable for me, I realize it makes for a rather monotonous blog posting ("this is the 16th time that I've visited....").

So moving forward, I will be posting all of my activity on my Twitter account, and new locations or extraordinary experiences at repeat locations here on the website. 

Beech Hill (Rockport)

Beech Hill Preserve in Rockport is managed by the Coastal Mountains Land Trust.  The 295 acre preserve features a bald mountain top with spectacular views and open fields where the Trust grows and harvests organic blueberries.  The property also features the historic Beech Nut house at the top.  For more information see the Coastal Mountains website at https://www.coastalmountains.org/get-outside. 

I hiked Beech Hill today and was rewarded with incredible views from the summit. Here is a map of my hike.

West Penjajawoc Grasslands (Bangor)

The West Penjajawoc Grasslands is a property managed by the Bangor Land Trust with a focus on bird watching.  My son and I visited today to walk the property and photograph birds.

According to the Bangor Land Trust's website, the mostly grassland property has mowed trails; however, at this time of the year the trails were not clearly defined and as such we essentially wandered around the field looking for birds.

There are a few strands of brush which make for excellent cover for birds, and the far end of the preserve overlooks a grassy marshland.  There is also forested land adjacent to the fields.

Here is a map of our walk.

The preserve lacked clearly delineated trails this time of year.

My son photographing birds over the wetlands.

Wetlands at the far end of the trail.

Patches of brush provide cover for birds.

Jackson Beach and Hermon Pond Park

Today my sons and I ventured out to Jackson Beach and Hermon Pond Park in Hermon.   When we arrived at the park, the gate at the top of Jackson Beach Road was closed, so we walked in. 

Jackson Beach is a town park which features a beach, picnic areas, a small dock and boat launch (during the summer season) and bathroom facilities, and is located on Hermon Pond.  There is a short path that leads along the shoreline between the beach and the boat ramp. 

Ordinarily when the gate is open this would only be a short walk along the shoreline, but with the gate closed it added to the hike.  Here is a map of our walk. 

Branch Lake Public Forest (Ellsworth)

I went hiking today at Branch Lake Public Forest in Ellsworth.  I took the Tote Road, Lake Loop and Pine Trails for a total of 2.3 miles.  The Tote Road Trail is a wide road bed that was muddy today.  The Lake Loop and Pine Trails were narrow forested trails.  I didn't complete a full loop on the Lake Loop as a section after the lakefront had a number of downed trees. 

On the return trip I was fortunate enough to see a porcupine foraging in the grass near the Tote Road Trail. 

Here is a map of my hike.

Lookout Rock (Brooksville)

I went hiking today at Lookout Rock in Brooksville.  The 17 acre preserve is administered by the Maine Coast Heritage Trust and features a short hiking trail overlooking Eggemoggin Reach, Deer Isle and Penobscot Bay.  Here is a map of my hike.

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.