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 open house dates for the remainder of the year is Sat. Sept. 11, Wed. Sept. 22, Sat. Oct 2, and Wed. Oct 13 2010. For more information on this beautiful preserve you can visit www.coastalmountains.org.

Maine Open Lighthouse Day on Sept. 12, 2009 is the first of it’s kind and offers the public an opportunity to tour numerous participating lighthouses that are rich in history and surrounded by natural beauty.

The Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse is just one of the many lighthouses in the Camden area and nearby Cedarholm Garden Bay Inn that provides additional scenic views of the open ocean, boating, offshore islands and the Camden Hills. The less than 1 mile walk is enjoyable and offers many opportunities for more up close views of working lobster fisherman and marine life at the entrance to Rockland Harbor.

On the day we walked the breakwater we were fortunate to view harbor seals, seabirds, starfish, sea urchins and a prowling small shark called a dogfish. It is like having an aquarium at your feet.

The Lighthouse is open most weekends in the summer thanks to Friends Of The Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse. It is being lovingly restored and inside you will find a gift shop with friendly and knowledgeable volunteers who are more than happy to answer questions on Rockland’s lighthouse and breakwater history. You may also self guide, reading the posted and pictured history from room to room and then wander your way to the top into the light.

 After walking up a short flight of spiral stairs you’re now inside of the light! 

Exiting atop the light one has 360 degree views. 

Camden Maine’s Harbor And Its

Surroundings

Cedarholm Garden Bay Inn with its private and quite oceanfront accommodations is ideally located for exploring the Maine Coastal Villages of Camden, Rockport and Lincolnville. Being passionate about our Inn that we built from the ground up, naturally we gravitate towards others that share the same commitment and dedication.

Dining Out

The harbors of Camden and Rockport are quaint and unquestionably picturesque. Camden Harbor with its dramatic backdrop of  Mount Battie is certainly an eye catcher and claims a few passionate, talented chef owned restaurants to boot. For years our guests have consistently raved about the food and service at Atlantica Restaurant and Francine Bistro.  And for good reason, each focusing on fresh, local and sustainable practices.

Chef Ken Paquin and wife Del own and operate Atlantica a bustling seafood bistro. Its harbor side deck provides beautiful up close waterfront views and is ideal for dining al fresco. They have a fantastic seafood menu and some of the best-prepared in the area.

A couple of footsteps away, on a backstreet, Francine Bistro remains highly memorable for its steak and garlic herbed frites. Chef Brain Hill creates amazing dishes from mainly organic local sources and has a wonderfully diverse menu. His passion for food is quite obvious and has received media attention.

Rockport Harbor

Just around the corner, less than a five minutes drive, from Camden Harbor is the quiet and charming Rockport Harbor. This is the homeport of the family built, owned and operated Schooner Yacht Heron. Nigel (Twig) and Bonnie offer various sail packages that may include viewing both Rockport Harbor (Indian Island Lighthouse), Camden Harbor (Curtis Island Lighthouse) and beyond.

Lincolnville Beach

1 mile North of Cedarholm Garden Bay Inn is a small strip of sand beach, the Maine State Ferry terminal to the  Island of Islesboro (20 minutes ride) and a handful of shops and restaurants.  Chez Michel is a favorite dining spot serving up a myriad of well-prepared dishes.

Bald Rock Mountain has an elevation of 1200 ft and is visible from our oceanfront Inn. With less than a 10 minute drive from here this mountain offers incredible views of the island studded coast of Maine and is just a small part of the Camden Hills State Park system. The hike to the summit is easy yet invigorating.

After  walking a gravel road for 1.25 miles you reach the trail head that leads through the woodlands.

We walk through the peaceful woods and observe the nature that surrounds us. Lush greenery such as ferns and mosses abound, the scent of pine wafts through the air and the songs of melodious birds are the predominant sounds. The trail has a convenient set of granite steps and many tree root systems that wind there way along the path.

We reach the summit and take in the scenery.

We maintained a semi-brisk pace along the trail and complete the round trip journey in approx. 1hr. 45min. The views are breathtaking and especially extraordinary during the fall with all the magnificent colors in place.

Maiden Cliff’s Scenic View

Maine has so much natural beauty to offer especially in our immediate area. Hiking Maiden Cliff is just another one on our list of perennial favorites like Mt Battie. Both destinations are just a small portion of the incredible trail system within the Camden Hills State Park.

Just a five minute drive from our Inn this short hike up a gravel path, through the woods, pass a massive boulder, over a bridge, up through some more woodlands and over some mild rockery to the summit (we’ve consistently timed the hike at 30 min.) offers breathtaking views of pristine Lake Megunticook, the Atlantic Ocean and the surrounding unspoiled country side from an 800′ sheer cliff. Impressive to say the least.

Many years ago we witnessed a real hair raiser, someone was actually trying to shimmy his way up the cross. No doubt on a dare from his friends. To date I’m glad to say we’ve never seen someone attempt that again and on most occasions we have the site to ourselves. For those interested in the brief history on why the cross was erected you may click here.