Walks and Hikes: 2010
Once again the GLLT is happy to provide a variety of outdoor experiences designed to serve adults, families, and all those who wish to get out in the woods. We have some new offerings this year as well as traditional events to choose from. Our walks are free and led by trained docents. No prior sign up is necessary. Docents will guide visitors on trails and point out important natural features, identify plants, identify animal sign, and help participants learn to read the forested landscape. Please bring appropriate clothing, water, bug repellent, and good walking shoes. Pets are not invited. Car pooling is encouraged. Families are always welcome, but there are also special programs specifically geared for younger children over age 5. Please note: due to the increased incidents of Lyme disease in our area, we strongly recommend that participants wear long pants on all walks and use insect repellant.
New Places, New New People and New Names !
We have added new locations this year to entice you out on the trails. We will be conducting walks on the newly acquired Amos Mountain, Back Pond Reserve (at the Five Kezars), and a walk on private land. If you have been out with us before and you are looking for something new, please check these out. In addition, we have two new docents joining us on the trails this year; Joan Lundin and Leigh Macmillen Hayes. Please note when you are choosing your walks that the Sucker Brook Preserve is now called the Wilson Wing Moose Pond Bog Preserve.
Scroll down to see full schedule, cancellation policy and directions to properties.
Photo By: Tom Henderson
2010 Calendar for Summer Walks and Fall Hikes
Cancellation Policy
In the past, we have run all of our programs with a “rain or shine” policy, but our experience in recent years warrants a change. It seems a mistake to have people drive to a trailhead only to agree that the weather is so uncomfortable that the walk is canceled. Please call 207-925-1205 if you have a question about cancellation due to weather.
Guidelines for walks
• A 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.
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July 1. 9 to 12. Active. Heald and Bradley Pond. We will look for signs of man’s disturbance of the land and use Tom Wessel’s ideas to try and reconstruct what has occurred. Of course we’ll also keep an eye out for animal activity.
July 8. 9 to 12. Family Walk. Back Pond Reserve A walk designed for families with children over the age of 8 to explore the area.
July 15. 7 to 9. Senior/Gentle. Heald and Bradley Reserve. For those of you who are up early and want a quiet walk in the woods to listen for birds and look for animal sign this may be the walk for you. We will go a short distance on level ground.
July 15. 9:30 to 11. Non-walk. Heald and Bradley Reserve. This adventure is a “non-walk” designed for those who have some trouble getting around. We will only go a very short distance on smooth gravel and pavement. There are many things to see near the cars and this relaxed activity will give us a chance to thoroughly explore.
July 22. 9 to 1. A Bushwhack! Private Land. Please meet at the library parking area.
We will explore private lands that offer some unique opportunities to view a managed wood lot and reparian and wetland area. Be prepared for some rough going not on trails up and down slopes, crossing rocky brooks.
July 29. 9 to 12. Active. Amos Mt. Please park at our new Gallie Trail parking area.
This walk will explore this new GLLT holding that offers a climb to a hill top through an interesting forest crisscrossed by unique stone walls.
July 29. 9-12 Gentle. Heald and Bradley Pond. This walk will focus on medicinal and edible plants. This is a great opportunity to get aquatinted with the plants we so often take for granted.
August 5. 10-12. Active. Kezar River Reserve. This unique piece of property with tis special geography offers a look at a forest that has been managed for some time and abuts the Kezar River. Will will examine the plant and animal life that abounds.
August 12. 9-12. Active. Sucker Brook Outlet Reserve. Meet at the new parking area for this new preserve (see directions above) that abuts Sucker Brook as it enters Kezar Lake. We will walk a newly developed trail system and discuss forest succession after a harvest.
August 12. 9-1 Family. Lords Hill. Meet at the Horseshoe Pond Parking lot. Bring the family and a snack and enjoy a walk to Lord’s Hill to look at the view and the mine. On the way we will look for bear sign and talk about their habits. This walk is designed for children ages 8 and above. Families can adjust the length and turn around at any time.
August 19. 9-12. Active. Heald and Bradley Pond. We will walk to the top of Whiting Hill and investigate the many different types of seeds produced as summer fades.
August 26. 9-12. Casual. Wilson Wing Moose Pond. This is a mushroom walk. At this time of year we expect to find all kinds of mushrooms sprouting in these woods.
September 2. Active. Speckled Mt. from Bickford Trail. 9 to 3. Please meet at the Brickett House, which is 0.2 miles north of Basin Pond on Route 113. Remember you need a National Forest parking permit and day passes can be purchased at the trailhead kiosk for $3.00.
October 2. Active. Amos Mt. at the Heald and Bradley Reserve. 9 to 3. We will do a long walk (3 to 4 miles) to explore the full range of this great property. Please meet at the Fairburn parking lot at the south end of Heald Pond, off Slab City road just east of the public boat launch .
Photo By: Timothy Richardson
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Directions
The Heald Bradley Pond 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 launching area.
The Wilson Wing Moose Pond Bog Preserve (formerly The Sucker Brook Preserve) Walks begin at the kiosk and parking is along the Horseshoe Pond Road. From Lovell drive north on Route 5 to the West Lovell Road on your left. Proceed over the bridge and left at he fork onto Foxboro Road. Go straight (right) at the fork with New Road. Drive about half mile to Horseshoe Pond road on your right. Proceed down this dirt road a short distance to the kiosk, just before the boat landing.
The Kezar River Reserve is across from the “Wicked Good Store” where a good forest road enters the land. Look for the GLLT Trail sign at the road entrance. 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 left onto Ladies Delight Road, the first dirt road on your left. The reserve parking lot is on your 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 left (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 property is accessed by means of the Five Kezars Road which is off the Old Waterford Road A small parking area is located on the right about a mile down the Five Kezars Road marked with a GLLT Trails sign.
Amos Mountain is a new addition to the Heald and Bradley Reserve. The walks will leave from the Flat Hill parking area. From Lovell drive north on Route 5 to Slab City Road. Proceed down Slab City Road to a left turn on to Heald Pond Road (dirt). Drive to the very end of the road where there is a parking area.