Hiking Up To The Cross

The trail to the summit is only 1 mile and affords scenic views of Megunticook Lake, the interior and coastal mountains with distant views of Penobscot Bay.

Access to this trailhead can be found off route 52 in Camden, however you may take longer hikes through various trails within the Camden Hills State Park trail system to reach Maiden Cliff.

The trail is not difficult yet steadily climbs upward through the woods over rocks and tree roots.

Along the  way  you will cross over a wooden footbridge. This time off year it is relatively dry however in the spring there is usually a steady flow of water rushing under the bridge.

Plenty of exposed tree roots along this part of trail.

Halfway along this trail one of the other trails intersects. We stay on course to the cliff.

At the summit gazing at interior mountains and pristine Meguntiook Lake.

Distant views of Penobscot Bay and Islands to the south. The cross was erected some years after Elenora French fell off the cliff and died in 1864.

Incredible opportunity to see Osprey, Eagles and Turkey Vultures soaring just above, below, and at eye level.

Cedarholm Garden Bay Inn is on the oceanside and just 1 mile from the incredibly beautiful Camden Hills State Park. To download a trail map click  here.

Camden Harbor is quaint and unquestionably picturesque and with the dramatic backdrop of  Mount Battie it is certainly an eye catcher.

Impeccably restored old schooners fill the harbor and offer day trips or overnight cruises.

The arrow indicates the turret at the Mount Battie summit (Camden Hills State Park) which can reached by driving the auto road or by hiking the various trails in the park.

Darin Strickland, a Virginian, and writer for the Virginia Sportsman Magazine enjoys our town Camden Maine so much so, that he was inspired to write about it. He wrote a beautiful story about this incredibly unique area in the March 2010 issue complete with beautiful photography of the Maine Coast and windjammer schooners.

“Along Maines’s Atlantic coast, Route 1 winds through the picturesque countryside – a scenic byway that hugs the coastline and skirts quaint seaside villages and towns.  For the summer tourist, it serves as a springboard to Maine’s coastal vacation destinations and a direct route to popular Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park. However, there is one town on Route 1, that won’t be bypassed and ignored as it requires you to drive through its main street and take notice as you do.

Camden’s Main Street and Route 1 are the same. Lining the way, historic and stately Federals, Capes, and Victorians with architectural details such as widow’s walks and bay windows; some with carriage houses.  These centenarians are the first to quietly announce this town has been receiving the affluent for a long time.”

Click to read his entire story which includes some history, culture, activities and of course lobster….

Camden-Maine’s-Mid-Coast-Summer-Jewel

Photo taken by Darin Strickland.

Part 2

As we near Little Cape Point we look back at Cape Cove and admire the natural beauty that surrounds us. On our first visit to this preserve, the shore was in full bloom with a sea of purple Iris Hookeri and wild pink Sweet  Peas. The Iris is just one of many rare plants that thrive in these harsh conditions.

Approaching the point you will find an abundance of sealife.

Along the Maine Coast rock formations display many examples of Dikes, this particular area provides a good example. The southern end of the island where the rock drops steeply into the sea is what The Nature Conservancy explains as the  ”Fundian Fault”, “a long crack in the earth’s crust that extends from the Bay Of Fundy to the coast of New Hampshire.”

Many varieties of seaweed line the shore.

This one reminds us of a horse’s tail that has been wrapped with a bandage.

A cute fawn is unaffected by our presence.

Blue blazes and cairns mark the trail.

Soon we will be reaching the Mud Hole trail.

The trail hugs the shore where there are many tricky areas to be mindful of. Slippery rocks, deep crevices and a few areas that require minor rock scaling.

Our coastal walk has come to an end. The Mud hole trail brings us back into the deep forest and winds along a picturesque fjord-like cove .

A last glance at the stunning scenery before heading back through the woods.

Lots of discoveries in the woods. Here a fungi is growing off of the bark of a pine tree.  Are there any fungi enthusiasts out there?  Would love to know the name of this species.

The moss and lichen covered forest silences your footsteps which creates an extremely tranquil setting.

Great Wass Island Preserve is one of the many gifts of nature. Thank you Nature Conservancy for protecting and preserving this treasure.

A Paradise In Maine – Part 1

 

 

After the close of another season, on this late November day we finally had some time to journey outside Camden Maine’s network of hiking trails. Nearly a decade has gone by since our last visit to this memorable Down East gem and this time around do to our familiarity of the trails we had family and friends join us.

Getting an early start is a must at this time of year as darkness falls early. After a 1 hr. 45 min. ride we cross the bridge over the Moosabec Reach to Beals Island, continue on to Great Wass Island following the signs along the gravel road to the preserve.

Hiking the 5.5 mile Great Wass Island Preserve loop will take up to 5 hrs round trip. That allows a little time for beach combing, woodland discoveries and a brief lunch. This preserve is chock full of rare plants, peatlands, wildlife and is highlighted with a picturesque granite shoreline.

We start by taking the Little Cape Point Trail and wind through the forest southeasterly for 2 miles.  Blue blazes mark the trial.

Beautiful mounds of moss and pillowy lichen carpet the rockery and forest floor along the way. Half way through the trail the forest opens to a long stretch of exposed smooth granite. From here a vista of the unique coastal-raised bog with its carnivorous plants comes into view. Incredible!

As the trail continues we reach a narrow boardwalk that runs through a swamp, a known comfortable home here for thoese carnivorous pitcher plants.

The trail ends at the shore with breathtaking views of the seemingly endless miles of granite disappearing into the cold blue sea. 

This time around the tide was in so we were forced to walk the grassy shore here which seemed to contain more deer droppings than blades of grass.

In order to connect with the Mud Hole Trail  to complete the loop, you must walk the 2 miles of shoreline northerly from the Little Cape Point Trail. We continue along the shore to Little Cape Point where we had fond memories  from our last trip of  watching harbor seals playing near the shore.

Following the shoreline toward the point we marvel at the beauty of the clear emerald colored water lying calmly in small picturesque coves.  

At the end of the cove the trail now continues upward over rocks and tree roots. A knotted rope aides in climbing the hill to access Little Cape Point.

Nearing the half-way point!

To be continued…    Click here for a map and directions to the beautiful Great Wass Island Preserve.  You may also read detailed information through The Nature Conservancy In Maine’s website.

 

Another one of the “Jewels” in Midcoast Maine is the picture perfect views atop Beech Hill in Rockport. The setting is special, and after a short and easy walk to the top of this 295-acre preserve you’ll see why. If the pastoral landscape of the beautiful grasslands with the Camden Hills as a backdrop don’t grab you while your walking along, than surely the scenic ocean vistas at the top will. 

After a few paces the trail quickly opens up to views of low bush wild blueberry’s growing in the grassy field.

 

 

Soon after the half way point views of Chickawaukie Pond then Penobscot Bay appear. 

 

 

Fall creates it’s own special beauty in Maine and especially so here. The preserve’s field of golden grasslands dappled with the fiery red leaves of wild blueberry shrubs is reminiscent of a painting. At the top of the hill sits a beautifully restored stone house known as “Beech Nut” handsomely adorned with a sod roof.

Although the preserve is open year round, Beech Nut’s final open house for this year is October 24 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. For more information on this beautiful preserve you can visit www.coastalmountains.org.