Author: Admin

Old Blue Mountain Hike

Old Blue Mountain (left) and Elephant Mountain (right).
Old Blue Mountain (left) and Elephant Mountain (right).

The next Maine A.T. Land Trust hike will be up Old Blue Mountain (3,600 feet) from South Arm Road in Roxbury on June 11th at 10am for National Trails Day.  To reach the trailhead in Black Brook Notch, drive east on Route 120 out of Andover, and then take a left on South Arm Road approximately a half mile outside of town.  Go 7.7 miles north on South Arm Road to reach the Appalachian Trail crossing.  There is a small area on the right side of the road that has parking for 3-4 cars, so we will be car pooling.  That information will be sent out if you RSVP.

The hike is only 2.8 miles to the summit of Old Blue from the parking area, but the initial ascent out of Black Brook Notch is very steep.  There are rungs on the rocks in one area, but after this initial climb of 900 feet in just over a half a mile, the trail level become more gradual for another mile and a half.  The final half mile is again steep to reach the summit of Old Blue where there are good views in all directions among the stunted spruces.

The estimated time for this hike is 5 hours total (up and back) over a distance of 5.6 miles (up and back).  You must RSVP for this hike so we can rideshare and in case of cancellation due to weather or other circumstances.  We are also going to be providing some food so we need an accurate headcount!

To RSVP, please head over to the event listing and enter your name and email.  You can also email us at info@matlt.org or call us at 207-808-2073.  This should be a great hike!  Come along!

Spruce Mountain – Four Ponds Trip Report

The land trust held the season’s first Maine Hikes trip on the A.T. on May 15th. The destination for this hike was Spruce Mountain and the Maine Public Reserve Land’s Four Ponds unit. We had a crew of five on a windy, cloudy day but fortunately the heavier weather had moved out and we were in dense spruce forests for most of the trek. The meetup spot was the Height of Land parking area which overlooks the western Maine lakes and the Bemis Mountain range.  In 2011, the Maine Department of Transportation rebuilt the parking area at the overlook spot, putting in signs and laying stone steps for an as-yet-to-be-completed interpretive trail.

Having just come down Bemis Mountain, the Appalachian Trail proceeds from the parking area to the east, up Spruce Mountain (2530’) and down to large areas of montane spruce-fir forest in largely wet areas.  The terrain in this section is largely flat, and proceeds along the first two ponds, Moxie and Long, before heading up along the south side of Four Ponds Mountain.  While the conditions were pretty muddy even by Maine standards, the sights, sounds and company were all wonderful.  The A.T. skirts the northern edge of the state land while remaining just below the summit of Four Ponds Mountain and becomes steep in this section, but only briefly. Views to the south over Long Pond – the largest of the four in the state land unit – stretch to the south and west, where fresh snow dusted the higher ridges. As the trail descended to the isthmus between Long Pond and Sabbath Day Pond, the third of the Four Ponds, the group reached the A.T.’s Sabbath Day Pond shelter. The distance to the shelter was 3.6 miles but the mild terrain made it feel much shorter. After a nice lunch and some musings on the scattered bear skeleton in the vicinity, the group headed back on the same route.  There is a bushwhack route but the group decided to stick with the A.T. since it was a good hike in.

The wind along the shore of the lakes increased and the intermittent rain showers turned to snow and sleet.  The southern shore of Long Pond still showed deep areas on snow in the woods which were clearly visible from the higher elevations.  Fortunately, the snow and sleet remained light for the duration of the return journey, and back at the cars everybody agreed that this was a great, unknown Appalachian Trail hike in Maine.  Despite the lack of major mountain summits, there were plenty of views and not another hiker was to be seen.  A great day on the trail!

Look for information on our next hike – up Old Blue Mountain on June 11th – shortly!

The Next 100 Years of American Conservation

In remarks at the National Geographic Society on April 20th and released early on Medium, U.S. Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell laid out a vision for actions the nation can take to build upon America’s rich conservation legacy and pass on healthy public lands and waters to the next generation.

The Secretary delivered the remarks during National Park Week to help mark the 100th birthday of the National Park Service. During the speech, Jewell called for a “course correction” for conservation that includes inspiring all Americans from all backgrounds to connect with public lands; implementing smart, landscape-level planning to support healthy ecosystems and sustainable development; and greater investments in national parks and public lands to prepare for the next century of conservation.

During her remarks, Jewell also announced that the federal government will undertake a first-of-its-kind study to analyze the impact outdoor recreation has on the nation’s economy. The Commerce Department’s Bureau of Economic Analysis feasibility study will present detailed and defensible data on the importance of outdoor recreation as a distinct component of the economy that can help inform decision making and management of public lands and waters.

“By producing credible data on the tangible economic benefits of public lands, we can help the public and Members of Congress better understand the benefits of investing in them,” Jewell said. “Industry estimates show that consumer spending for outdoor recreation is greater than household utilities and pharmaceuticals combined – and yet the federal government has never fully recognized or quantified these benefits.  This project is the start of a multi-year effort to count these contributions in a comprehensive and impartial way.”

Contact:  Date: April 19, 2016
Contacts: Jessica Kershaw (Interior), Interior_Press@ios.doi.gov

Content courtesy of the Department of the Interior.

Spruce Mountain – First Hike of the Season!

Maine Appalachian Trail Land Trust’s first of many warm season hikes will be on Sunday, May 15th – destination, Spruce Mountain.  This 2,530-foot summit is very close to the famous Height of Land overlook (see map above), which is where we will meet at 10am in the parking area.  We can proceed to the summit of Spruce Mountain and then down the backside to series of remote, high-elevation ponds within the Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands’ Four Ponds area.

This is a very moderate hike and we can choose to make it shorter or longer, depending on ability, conditions and interest.  It is a great way to get out on the A.T. in Maine without having to navigate woods roads or climb steep mountains.  In any case, total mileage will be about 3 miles with the only ascent/descent involving approximately 300 feet of elevation gain on either side of Spruce Mountain.

You must RSVP for this hike by emailing us at info@matlt.org or by calling 207-808-2073.  Sign up soon – we will limit the group to ten hikers!

Maine A.T. Land Trust Acquires Longley Conservation Easement

Stream adjacent to the Appalachian Trail on the Longley Conservation Easement.
An unnamed stream on the Longley Conservation Easement.

The Maine Appalachian Trail Land Trust is pleased to announce that is has acquired a conservation easement on approximately 17 acres of land adjacent to the A.T. just north of the Kennebec River crossing in The Forks Plantation.  The property was owned by the late Stephen Longley, the long-time, celebrated operator of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy’s Kennebec River Ferry Service.  Mr. Longley shuttled some 19,000 hikers across the river over a twenty-year period and earned the trail name “The Ferryman”.  He also operated a small store that catered to thru-hikers on the east side of the river.

The iconic building in the commercial area of the Longley Property.
The iconic building in the commercial area of the Longley Property.

Mr. Longley graciously bequeathed his property by the Kennebec to the Maine Appalachian Trail Club in his will and MATC, wanting to permanently protect the area in order to provide a buffer for incompatible development and to conserve the significant values of the Appalachian Trail in Maine, has donated a conservation easement to Maine Appalachian Trail Land Trust.  The easement covers the portions of the property closest to the Appalachian Trail, leaving the commercial footprint area free for continued operations as a store or other business catering to hikers.  The portion of the easement closest to the A.T. contains “forever wild” restrictions, meaning that the area is open to low-impact recreational use (hiking, nature observation, hunting, fishing) but motorized vehicles and timber harvesting are prohibited.  Between the “forever wild” area and the commercial footprint, a camping area may be developed.

Stewardship volunteer Olin Jenner collects GIS data.
Stewardship volunteer Olin Jenner collects GIS data.

MATC is a founding partner of the Maine Appalachian Trail Land Trust and they do fantastic work – as an all volunteer organization – to maintain the A.T. in Maine.  We grateful to Mr. Longley and MATC for protecting the trail through the donation of this conservation easement.

2016 Maine A.T. Land Trust Hikes Calendar

Heading up the last leg.

So we can all plan our summers more efficiently, without further ado, here is our schedule for the 2016 hiking season!

Spruce Mountain – May 15

Old Blue Mountain – June 11

Sugarloaf and Spaulding Mountains – June 25

Puzzle Mountain – July 9

Goose Eye Mountain – July 30

National Park Service 100th Anniversary Hike (TBD) – August 25 or weekend directly after

Saddleback Mountain via Berry Pickers’ Trail – September 18

Pleasant Pond Mountain – September 25

White Cap Mountain – October 8

These day trips are part of our Maine Hikes program to get people out on, and interested in, the Appalachian Trail landscape in Maine.  All of the hikes are led by staff or trained volunteers and there is no cost.

These dates are subject to change, but we plan to adhere to them as much as possible.  It is likely that we will be squeezing more hikes in between these dates, too.  As we get closer in time to each hike, there will be an extensive post with information about time, trails and terrain.  We will also be populating our events calendar on our website shortly so you can access the information and share with your own calendar.

We look forward to seeing you all!

A.T. Hike 100

NPS100logo

Join the Appalachian National Scenic Trail as we celebrate the centennial of the National Park Service all year long! In honor of the 100th birthday we invite everyone to get outside and hike 100 miles on the Appalachian Trail during the year 2016.

Pro Tip: Not all 100 miles have to be on the Appalachian Trail!

The Challenge

Whether you are novice or professional – get ready to hike! The A.T. Hike100 Challenge invites everyone, regardless of skill level, to complete 100 miles of hiking – with at least one hike being on the Appalachian Trail. Hike solo or in a group; make a trip out of it or take it one mile at a time. However you choose to complete your 100 mile challenge, just get outside and have fun!

Those who complete the 100 mile challenge by the end of December 31, 2016 will be eligible to receive an awesome limited edition A.T. Hike100 decal sticker.

For more information head over to the NPS A.T. Hike 100 website.

Crockers and Redington Hike Cancelled

Unfortunately, due to trail conditions and the weather, we are going to have to cancel this hike which was originally planned for April 17th.  The road conditions getting to the trailhead are VERY poor at this time and due to the freeze thaw cycle, we would like to keep the impact on the subalpine vegetation common in the area to a minimum.

Our full roster of hikes for the spring, summer and fall should be posted shortly – this hike will be among them!  In the meantime, head out on the A.T. this weekend with AMC for in the same area.

A.T. Hike near Oberton Stream

The Appalachian Mountain Club will be having a hike of about two miles in the Orbeton Stream area of the A.T.  Here’s the info:

AT Hike near Oberton Stream

Date: Sunday, April 17

Low elevation hike (all under 2,300′ so low snow risk) with great scenery on a remote section of the Appalachian Trail (A.T.). This two mile section of the A.T. is truly a “Walk in the Woods” crossing the Redington Public Reserve Land Unit and the US Navy SERE property, through mixed hardwoods, spruce/fir to old cedars. The Sluice brook waterfall should have plenty of water flow. Orbeton canyon and lumbering history are other highlights of this hike. The easy terrain and relatively short hiking distance make this walk a good start of the season hike for experienced hikers as well as beginners. Elevation gain of about 750′ but with easy grades. If you are looking to find an easy section of the A.T. in Maine, there are not many – but this is one. Due to vehicle logistics, this is a difficult hike to accomplish on your own. We will carpool and spot cars to avoid an up-and-back hike. Group is limited to 15. People with high-clearance vehicles (i.e. Subaru Outback – 4WD not needed) will have a priority.

HikingActivity Categories: Hiking
Location: AT near Oberton Stream
Region: Maine, Western
Leader: Peter Roderick 207-293-2704 (before 9pm)
Co-Leader: Tony Barrett 207-833-0939 (Before 9PM)
Registrar: Tony Barrett 207-833-0939 (Before 9PM)
Trip Difficulty: Moderate

This is an excellent alternative to our Crockers – Redington hike on the same day!

Crockers and Redington Hike

The next Maine A.T. Land Trust hike will be on Sunday, April 17th.  The destination will  be the Crockers and Mount Redington from Caribou Valley Road.  The route we will take will follow the Appalachian Trail from CVR to South Crocker, then (North) Crocker, and then back over South Crocker to the herd path over to Mount Redington.  From there, we can either back track or take another herd path from Redington down to CVR.

This is will be a very strenuous hike and the itinerary will depend on trail conditions.  You must be in good physical shape and have experience hiking 4,000-foot mountains in New England.  We have had an early spring this year but many areas on the A.T. in Maine have continued to receive snowfall in the past few weeks (there are reports of this area receiving five inches of snow last night).  Traction aids like microspikes will probably be necessary.  Please monitor our website and social media for updates.  There is a greater than normal chance that this hike may be postponed or the route will be altered.

You must RSVP for this hike by emailing us at info@matlt.org or by calling 207-808-2073.  Once we have a list of attendees (no more than 8) we will distribute information about meeting up, ridesharing, etc.

For those of you looking for a less strenuous hike, please see this post about a moderate hike taking place in the same area on the same day!