Riverbrook Preserve

After all the mixed precipitation of November, we finally had a clear sunny day just before Thanksgiving. It was the perfect opportunity to take a drive and explore a relatively new preserve in Waldoboro. The Riverbrook Preserve opened in 2017 with 1.5 miles of trails but additional trail work at the preserve had extended the trail network. An additional loop that led to the Medomak Brook increased our walk to almost 3 miles. For an updated trail map, one needed to take a photo of the map that was posted at the kiosk. Since the directions provided us with a well-known landmark (about 1 mile from Morse’s Sauerkraut) we had no difficulty locating this preserve, but it also helped that the parking area and kiosk were in an open field.

From the kiosk, the first portion of the trail was a path that had been mowed through the field. The only difficulty during this part of our journey was the partially frozen ground making things a little uneven. To our left, we caught glimpses of the Medomak River. In the middle of the field, we crossed a bridge that spanned a wet area. My husband did comment about how high the water must rise based on how high this bridge sat above the water.

Once we entered the woods, it was pretty easy to follow the trail. Every intersection was equipped with blue arrows and a number from 1 to 9 which corresponded to the map posted at the kiosk. The wooded path started off as a smooth dirt road, but as we traveled along, we did have to contend with the usual rocks and roots found in any wooded terrain. As the day warmed up, we also walked through a number of muddy sections which made me think that this could be very wet during the spring.

We decided to make the loop in a counter-clockwise direction. After veering off in that direction, we stopped briefly to study some red-capped lichen growing from the remains of an old stump. I was not entirely sure, but I think they were known as British Soldier Lichen. I spent some time attempting to get a decent picture of these tiny red soldiers before moving on.

At the top of the first loop (at intersection number 4), we began to explore the second loop. It wasn’t too long before we had views of Medomak Brook. The woods seemed a little darker here but perhaps it was because of the contrast with the open space across the brook. There definitely seemed to be more roots and blow-downs here, but there was plenty of evidence that trail crews had recently cleaned things up.

At intersection 9, we took a detour to try and spot the beaver dam. Along this side path was a sign that the preserve ended at the river. Since there was a bridge across this water way, we did walk to the middle of the bridge for a better view but, alas, we could not find evidence of a beaver dam. At the next intersection however, we did find the remains of the old mill that was marked on our map. We watched the water flowing past the stone remains of a small dam and made some comments about industrious beavers (yes we do have a weird sense of humor) before continuing on our journey. Maneuvering across this stony area was the most difficult part of our journey but once past this area, the trail evened out.

We stopped once more before completing this upper loop so that I could study a beautiful star shaped ice pattern in a small pond. This upper loop went along an old farm road for a while before intersecting with the lower loop. From there we went left to compete the lower portion of the trail system and to view the rapids marked on the map. From here, it was a short journey back to the field and the kiosk. It had been a lovely 2 hour adventure.

Plaisted Preserve 2019

Almost 2 years ago, my husband and I had attempted to snowshoe around Plaisted Preserve in Owls Head. At the time, all my online research hits indicated that this was a short one way trail to the water but when we explored this property we found a sign indicating that trail construction was still in progress. However, we explored the park anyway, following the flags towards the water until we were stopped by a wall of conifers with no visible way of getting past this obstruction. Now, in November 2019, I decided it was time to revisit Plaisted Preserve.

When I arrived at the kiosk, I was pleased to see that there were bright yellow blazes painted on the trees. This time, I had a clear view of where the trail would go. The first part of my journey was easy, walking along a smooth dirt trail lined with spent maple and beech leaves. Occasionally, I walked on planks that had been placed across the wet areas. (I did remember the ice cracking under our snowshoes that January).

As I continued following the yellow blazes, I noticed another set of these bog bridges off to my left. I did not see any blazes so I continued on my current path, although, I did make a mental note to explore this section on my return journey.

It wasn’t long before I reached the wall of conifers that had obstructed our progress during our previous visit. This time there were yellow blazes that pointed the way through this thicket. The trail narrowed a bit here but the markers were always visible.

After making my way through this area, the trail rose steeply. It wasn’t too difficult making the ascent but the descent was a different story. The downhill portion of the path was steep enough that I had to step carefully in order to avoid sliding down the hill. I did stop briefly to wonder at a Calico Aster still holding on to its petals when all the asters and golden rods around it had gone to seed.

Once I was safely down the hill, I discovered a log placed as a bench overlooking the water. One could sit for quite some time in this place, just taking in the views of the water and the mountains beyond. I had views of the beach below but it looked like it would be a bit of a scramble to get there, so I just took in the views from where I was standing.

Studying the area around this meditative site, I noticed what appeared to be a trail on the opposite side of my approach to the log bench. I explored for a few feet but did not see any blazes so I decided to return the way I had come. Once I reached the area where I had first seen the bog bridge off the designated trail, I turned towards it to explore that section. On reaching the bridge, I noticed yellow blazes continued from there. After crossing this wet area I turned around and found yellow blazes heading back towards my point of origin. I was puzzled but I continued on my present course. Eventually I reached the log bench once more, so it would seem that some of the markers were only visible from one direction. What I found exciting though, was that the new trail system in place was not one way but a loop that would allow the traveler additional time to enjoy this little preserve!

Since this section of the loop avoided the steep section, I decided to retrace my steps on this portion of the trail. As I made my way back, I noticed a series of blue blazes off to my left. Deciding to explore this section as well, I discovered that this path connected to the first portion of the yellow loop, directly in front of the “conifer wall”. By the time I returned to the parking area, I had spent 1.5 hours exploring this lovely preserve. The new trail system was well worth the effort.

 

Beauty in the New Year

We have fallen into a pattern of an inch of snow, followed by warm temperatures and melt. With the daily news bringing dark thoughts and another round of 50 degree temperatures set for this second weekend of January, I think I need to find some peace and beauty in the world around me. I have been walking every day down to the beach and back, but I really feel a need to get into the woods. A trip to the park, hiking my old standby, the Multi-use Trail might just be what I need.

I arrive at the parking lot and realize that I have forgotten my micro-spikes and my phone, and my car is the only one at this location. Brilliant! I will stick to the Multi-use road and not wander on less traveled paths, and I will only go as far as the Bald Rock trailhead. This way if something happens, someone will come along to help (you do think of these things when you are over 60 and have a tendency to trip in the woods). I did remember to use my inhaler before leaving the house, so I am not totally losing my mind.

At last, I have found what I am looking for. My first mediation stop is the two trees mirroring each other as they curve towards the earth. Nature is displaying a perfect symmetry that says all is right with the world.

Once past the Frohock trail-head, the Multi-use Trail gets a bit steep. I am  disturbed that even though I have used my inhaler, I am huffing and puffing like a little steam engine that cannot make it up the hill. I am hoping that  walking through the half ice, half mushy snow along the trail  is just making things a tad more difficult. Still, there is some benefit to this. I am required to stop, and while catching my breath I notice a snow covered stump. I don’t know what it is about the patterns of the bark on this particular tree but it has caught my attention enough that I pause a few minutes to admire its beauty.

I continue up to the Bald Rock trail where I spend a few minutes taking in the views around me. I am completely alone here, but I am at peace. Beauty surrounds me, from the sun creating a starburst through the trees to the light reflecting on the tree tops as a glance back along the road. I am blessed to be at this spot, at this moment. May we all find such moments in the year ahead.

Charles and Constance Schmid Preserve

After a few weeks of stormy weather, the first weekend in November dawned without a cloud in the sky. We definitely needed to get outside and explore, but where? Studying my various nature books of the area, I found a trail system on the Boothbay peninsula that linked several preserves from Boothbay to Newcastle. Those with a more adventurous spirit could hike the entire 7+ miles or those who were less ambitious could explore an individual preserve. We had visited Dodge Point at one end of this trail system several times. Zak Preserve at the other end was on my list, but for some reason I decided to save this park for another day. Then I discovered the Schmid Preserve with over 5 miles of trails. It helped that the book I was using gave a detailed description for creating a loop among the various trails. Perfect! We had our adventure for the day.

There were at least two entry points for the Charles and Constance Schmid Preserve. For this trip we chose the parking area on Middle Road. From here, the trail descended into the woods. Although the ground was covered in Oak leaves,  either side of the path was lined with a variety of conifers. Aside from the angle of descent, there was nothing really difficult about this section of the lane.

Soon we reached an intersection with the Moose Trail and the Hilltop Trail. What was really nice about the markers within the preserve, is that we found a wooden post marking each intersection. This certainly made it easier to determine where we were. At this point if someone was pressed for time, they could have made a short loop by taking the Moose Trail and looping back on the Hilltop Trail. Since we were in for a longer journey, we followed the description in my guide book and veered right onto the Moose Trail, following the yellow blazes.

After the rain from the previous week, this trail was pretty wet. Some of the areas we worked around were obviously from the rain but there were some areas that seemed to be existing brooks with no bog bridges. Fortunately, they weren’t wide and we were able to step from stone to stone across the water. We did comment that if it was this wet at this time of year, the trail must be impassable during Spring (or Mud Season) when the ground was already saturated with snow melt mixed with the Spring rains.

Our next adventure was when we reached the stream. According to my guide book, we needed to cross the “new” bridge and then take the steep ascent up to the Ridge Trail. Unfortunately, that “new” bridge had some pretty significant holes in the planks. A longer piece of wood had been placed along the length of the bridge to provide a way of getting over the holes, still, it wasn’t a comfortable feeling. Guess that’s what happens when you are using a book with the most recent edition being 2011. The stream was very pretty though, and we spent some time meditating on the rushing water.

Our guidebook was not kidding when it described the steep ascent towards the Ridge Trail. It took several stops before we reached that intersection! We took the right onto the Ridge Trail (marked with blue blazes) which had a different characteristic than the start of our adventure. Here, we crossed at least 6 stone walls. After taking another right towards the Dance Hall Trail (blazed orange) the forest opened up, letting more light onto the landscape. We soon made a left onto an old grassy road. We followed this to the next left that would take us back towards the parking area. Just before we entered the forest once more, I found one lonely clump of flowers still in bloom on this first week of November. Not sure, but I believe it was some kind of chamomile.