The Greater Lovell Land Trust (GLLT) is pleased to offer a variety of opportunities to explore the Maine woods this summer. Trained volunteer docents lead all of our guided walks. The walks are free and prior registration is not necessary. Unless otherwise indicated, walks are geared for audiences of all ages and children accompanied by parents are always welcome. The focus of the walks varies from program to program but always includes some discussion of the natural history of the season and the site. Docents with a particular interest in geology, fungi, native plants, edible or medicinal plants, and animal tracks are always eager to share these interests with participants.
Scroll down for the complete schedule, cancellation policy and directions to properties.
Photo By: Tom Henderson
Winter Walks Planned
Saturday, January 7—10:00 a.m. until Noon
Wilson Wing Moose Pond Bog Preserve/Bishop’s Cardinal Reserve
Participants should meet at the kiosk on Horseshoe Pond Road in Lovell
Spend an incredible two hours on a wintry snowshoe walk exploring, observing and reflecting upon the natural world we encounter during this season of cold. Discover animal tracks and signs, beautiful winter scenes and more. Bring your own snowshoes, water and snack. Dress warmly and in layers for the conditions. All ages welcome.
Saturday, February 25—10:00 a.m. until Noon
Heald and Bradley Pond Reserve
Participants should meet at the Fairburn parking lot, just beyond the public boat launch off Slab City Road in Lovell.
Spend an incredible two hours on a wintry snowshoe walk exploring, observing and reflecting upon the natural world we encounter during this season of cold. Discover animal tracks and signs, beautiful winter scenes and more. Bring your own snowshoes, water and snack. Dress warmly and in layers for the conditions. All ages welcome.
2011 Summer Walks & Hikes
Wednesday, July 13: 10 a.m. Moderate, 2 hours.
Kezar River Reserve
Otters frequently haul themselves out of the water to roll around on the bank and have been known to particularly enjoy a bankside location not far from the trail at the Kezar River Reserve. This reserve’s mixed upland forest and riverside habitats provide the perfect setting for a morning stroll to investigate animal tracks and sign.
Thursday, July 14: 10 a.m. Gentle, 2 hours.
Heald-Bradley Ponds Reserve, Flat Hill Parking Area
Reading the forest for foundations and stonewalls provides a window into the history of a landscape. This walk on Perkey’s Path is an opportunity to explore old foundations at a former homestead. Along the way, participants will also observe plants, with a special emphasis on seeds.
Thursday, July 21: 9 a.m. Active, 4 hours.
Amos Mountain, Gallie Trail Parking Area
This active walk leaves from the Gallie Trail parking area off Route 5 in Lovell. Explore a new GLLT property that offers a climb through an interesting forest crisscrossed by unique stone walls and dotted with cellar holes. Participants should bring water and a lunch.
Thursday, July 28: 10 a.m. Family, 2 hours.
Wilson Wing Moose Pond Bog Preserve
Dragonfly nymphs, the babies of our winged friends who eat mosquitoes, look nothing like their bejeweled adult counterparts. Join this walk and use nets and hand lenses to investigate dragonfly nymphs and other creatures in the muck and mud of the Moose Pond Bog. This is a family-oriented walk for children accompanied by parents.
Thursday, August 4: 10 a.m. Moderate, 2 hours.
Kezar River Reserve
Evidence of glaciers past and erosion present explain the moderate label on this walk. The unique geology and the diverse habitats provide the perfect opportunity to learn about the formation of this landscape and the animals that inhabit it.
Wednesday, August 10: 10 a.m. Gentle, 2 hours.
Heald-Bradley Ponds Reserve, Slab City Road Parking Area
The woods are teaming with edible and medicinal plants. One only needs to know what to look for and where to look. This walk introduces participants to what is edible and medicinal, what is not and how to know the difference.
Thursday, August 11: 9 a.m. Active, 3 hours.
Heald-Bradley Ponds Reserve, Flat Hill Parking Area
The top of Flat Hill provides a scenic view of Kezar Lake, the watershed that surrounds it and the White Mountains beyond. This active walk invites participants to observe and enjoy the scenery near and far.
Saturday, August 13: 1 p.m. Gentle, Family, 2 hours.
Chip Stockford Reserve
This walk follows the GLLT Annual Educational Meeting and provides an opportunity to stretch legs and get out on a nearby land trust property. An optional stop for ice cream at the end of the walk will complete the day.
Wednesday, August 17: 9 a.m. Moderate, 2 hours.
Bishop’s Cardinal Reserve
One tree stands out from the rest at the Bishop’s Cardinal Reserve. Although it is not the biggest in the forest, the prominent claw marks on the smooth Beech’s bark attest to the importance of this tree in black bear habitat. This guided walk explores bear trees, bear telephone poles and other animal signs.
Thursday, August 18: 10 a.m. Active, 2 hours.
Back Pond Reserve
The Back Pond Reserve may be a bit further afield, but the drive to this corner of the Five Kezars Watershed is worth it for the gentle and scenic trails and the wild woods of this remote corner of the world. This walk focuses on the natural history of the season, with special attention to late summer wildflowers.
Wednesday, August 24: 9 a.m. Gentle, 2 hours.
Wilson Wing Moose Pond Bog Preserve
At the end of a wet summer we are reminded of the miles of mycelial threads that form the foundation of forest soil when their fruiting bodies, the mushrooms, push their way up through the leaf litter. On this walk, participants learn a handful of the 4,000 plus species that are known to live in New England.
Wednesday, August 31: 9 a.m. Active, 6 hours.
Shell Pond to Blueberry Mountain
Participants will travel a bit further afield to the White Mountain National Forest to hike from Shell Pond to Blueberry Mountain and back in the last guided walk of the season. Hikers should wear appropriate attire, including sturdy boots or sneakers, lightweight wicking clothing, and bring water, snack and a lunch. The group will stop at a secluded mountain pool on the return trip, so bring a bathing suit to enjoy a dip in the emerald green water. Participants can meet at the Intersection of Route 5 and West Stoneham Road at 9:00, where a docent will meet you and lead you to the trailhead or at the trailhead itself around 9:15.
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Guided walks meet at the trailhead of the GLLT property as indicated in the program description. Carpooling to the trailhead is encouraged. Please leave pets at home. Participants should wear clothing appropriate for the season, bug repellent, and sturdy walking shoes. Due to the increased incidence of Lyme Disease, we strongly recommend participants wear long pants, use insect repellant, and thoroughly check for ticks after being outside. Programs are subject to cancellation in inclement weather. Please call 925-1205 to confirm a cancellation.
Guidelines for Walks
•An active walk is on developed and rough trails up and down hill.
•A casual walk is on developed trail on mostly level terrain.
•A senior walk is designed for those who prefer a relaxed experience on easy terrain.
•A family walk is designed especially for families with school age children.
Photo By: Timothy Richardson
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Directions
The Heald-Bradley Ponds Reserve. From Lovell drive north on Route 5 and turn right on Slab City Road and proceed a short distance over a bridge to a small parking area on your left past the public boat launching area.
The Wilson Wing Moose Pond Bog Preserve (formerly called The Sucker Brook Preserve) walks will use the parking off Horseshoe Pond Road. From Lovell drive north on Route 5 to the West Lovell Road, on your left. Proceed over the bridge to Foxboro road (a left at the next fork). Drive about 1.5 miles to the intersection of Foxboro Road and New Road (stay straight on Foxboro Road) Go 0.5 miles and turn right at Horseshoe Pond Road. Proceed down this dirt road a short distance to the Horseshoe Pond parking area.
The Kezar River Reserve is across from the “Wicked Good Store” where a good forest road enters the land. Proceed carefully to an open parking area in a field. The Chip Stockford Reserve. From Route 5 take the West Lovell Road over the bridge and then the first dirt road on your left (Ladies Delight Road). The reserve parking lot is on your left and right a short distance down the road.
Sucker Brook Outlet Reserve: Turn left from Route 5 onto West Lovell Road. Go approximately 2 miles and turn left at Timber Bay Shores Road. Go approximately 1 mile and turn right (after pond) onto Farrington Pond Road, cross the stream and stay right on Farrington Pond Road Extension. (at the intersection with Northwest Cove Road). Go approximately 1/2 mile and turn left to the parking lot at the GLLT trail sign.
Back Pond Reserve: The Preserve is located off the 5 Kezars Ponds Road. From Melby's Market in North Waterford, take the road directly across from Melby's and go approximately 2 miles until you turn right onto 5 Kezars Pond Road, a dirt road, at a tree marked with many camp signs. (Don't be misled by a tree at 1 mile with a few camp signs). Go approximately 1 mile on the 5 Kezars Pond Road, and you will see a GLLT trail sign on the right. Turn in there to a parking area for the Preserve.
Amos Mountain is a recent addition to the Heald and Bradley Reserve. The walks will leave from the new parking area at the head of the Gallie Trail. To get to this parking area from Lovell drive north on Route 5 past Slab City Road over a hill. The parking area is on the right over the hill shortly before Palmer Lane (on your left). There is a sign indicating GLLT trails.
Chip Stockford Reserve: The Reserve parking lot off Ladies Delight Road in Lovell, Maine. From Route 5, take the West Lovell Road over the Narrows Bridge on Kezar Lake and then take the first left onto Ladies Delight Road. Drive approximately 1/2 mile and park in the Reserve parking lot on your left.