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Log inBag five mountain peaks on midcoast trail
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Bag five mountain peaks on midcoast trail
by Outspoken on Sun Jul 20, 2008 2:30 pm
Bag five mountain peaks on midcoast trail
By CAREY KISH
Portland Press Herald
The Georges Highland Path is a gem of a trail system that offers 35 miles of tramping through a variety of landscapes from Montville to Thomaston. From craggy mountaintops to woodlands to bogs, it is some of the most scenic and least traveled hiking to be found in Maine's midcoast region.
I've taken numerous day hikes on portions of the path and have rarely seen other people, despite being just a few miles from busy Route 1 coastal traffic and carloads of summer visitors.
The Georges River Land Trust has been working with local communities to conserve land in the 225-square-mile St. George River watershed since 1987, and has protected more than 1,000 acres to date. The nonprofit group began building trails in 1996 and was instrumental in establishing the visionary Georges Highland Path.
The "Bald-Ragged Section" is an 11-mile segment of trail in Camden and Rockport that connects five mountain peaks (Bald and Ragged mountains, East Peak, and Spruce and Pleasant mountains) and features extensive open ledges with grand views, abundant wildlife, alpine plants, and right now, wild blueberries galore!
For a healthy day's walk, try the moderate 5-mile section up and over Ragged Mountain. Start from the Thorndike Brook trailhead on Hope Street, a half-mile off Route 17 in Rockport. Add one and one-half miles if you choose to loop back along the highway, but it's a busy stretch and not a great finish to a nice walk. Better is to spot a car or have your bicycle stashed for a quick getaway.
EASY CLIMB TO OVERLOOK
The initial going is easy through old fields and young woods, past stone walls and on and off old woods roads. Beyond, you climb, yes, but it's never terribly steep. And the next thing you know you're at an overlook above Grassy Pond, perfect for a view and a quick snack.
The trail lazily switchbacks above, then slabs across the mountainside to a junction with the trail to Bald Mountain via Buzzard's Ledge.
Continue to meander along the ridgeline, climbing gradually. Soon enough, emerge onto ledges with sweeping views to the east. The trail remains out in the open for a fair distance before swinging back into a ravine. En route, look for some big, beautiful red spruce trees. On my last hike I found one that measured 22 inches in diameter.
Around the corner, you are once again in the open with fabulous walking over ledges. Mirror Lake is revealed below, and across the valley the cones of East Peak, Spruce Peak and Pleasant Mountain can be seen (the path traverses their flanks, but that's for another day).
The trail climbs nearly to the summit of Ragged Mountain, but with a cluster of communication towers on top, I'm glad it veers off into the woods just below. Regardless, the towers somehow don't seem to intrude on the experience, so no matter.
Pop out of the trees once again and get great views of the ocean, the Camden Hills, and Camden Village. Truly outstanding!
Proceed down a long ridge under a canopy of nearly pure red oak. Merge with an old carriage road for a half-mile of easy striding. The descent continues above picturesque Mirror Lake (it's tantalizing, but you never get there -- the lake is a public water supply, so the trail avoids it entirely).
Once on the level you're down, but not out. It's at least a mile walk beneath the face of the mountain before the trail crosses a small brook and turns for the road, meeting Route 17 at a trailhead kiosk and parking area.
http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/story.php?id=200072&ac=Outdoors
Photo courtesy Carey Kish
By CAREY KISH
Portland Press Herald
The Georges Highland Path is a gem of a trail system that offers 35 miles of tramping through a variety of landscapes from Montville to Thomaston. From craggy mountaintops to woodlands to bogs, it is some of the most scenic and least traveled hiking to be found in Maine's midcoast region.
I've taken numerous day hikes on portions of the path and have rarely seen other people, despite being just a few miles from busy Route 1 coastal traffic and carloads of summer visitors.
The Georges River Land Trust has been working with local communities to conserve land in the 225-square-mile St. George River watershed since 1987, and has protected more than 1,000 acres to date. The nonprofit group began building trails in 1996 and was instrumental in establishing the visionary Georges Highland Path.
The "Bald-Ragged Section" is an 11-mile segment of trail in Camden and Rockport that connects five mountain peaks (Bald and Ragged mountains, East Peak, and Spruce and Pleasant mountains) and features extensive open ledges with grand views, abundant wildlife, alpine plants, and right now, wild blueberries galore!
For a healthy day's walk, try the moderate 5-mile section up and over Ragged Mountain. Start from the Thorndike Brook trailhead on Hope Street, a half-mile off Route 17 in Rockport. Add one and one-half miles if you choose to loop back along the highway, but it's a busy stretch and not a great finish to a nice walk. Better is to spot a car or have your bicycle stashed for a quick getaway.
EASY CLIMB TO OVERLOOK
The initial going is easy through old fields and young woods, past stone walls and on and off old woods roads. Beyond, you climb, yes, but it's never terribly steep. And the next thing you know you're at an overlook above Grassy Pond, perfect for a view and a quick snack.
The trail lazily switchbacks above, then slabs across the mountainside to a junction with the trail to Bald Mountain via Buzzard's Ledge.
Continue to meander along the ridgeline, climbing gradually. Soon enough, emerge onto ledges with sweeping views to the east. The trail remains out in the open for a fair distance before swinging back into a ravine. En route, look for some big, beautiful red spruce trees. On my last hike I found one that measured 22 inches in diameter.
Around the corner, you are once again in the open with fabulous walking over ledges. Mirror Lake is revealed below, and across the valley the cones of East Peak, Spruce Peak and Pleasant Mountain can be seen (the path traverses their flanks, but that's for another day).
The trail climbs nearly to the summit of Ragged Mountain, but with a cluster of communication towers on top, I'm glad it veers off into the woods just below. Regardless, the towers somehow don't seem to intrude on the experience, so no matter.
Pop out of the trees once again and get great views of the ocean, the Camden Hills, and Camden Village. Truly outstanding!
Proceed down a long ridge under a canopy of nearly pure red oak. Merge with an old carriage road for a half-mile of easy striding. The descent continues above picturesque Mirror Lake (it's tantalizing, but you never get there -- the lake is a public water supply, so the trail avoids it entirely).
Once on the level you're down, but not out. It's at least a mile walk beneath the face of the mountain before the trail crosses a small brook and turns for the road, meeting Route 17 at a trailhead kiosk and parking area.
http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/story.php?id=200072&ac=Outdoors
Photo courtesy Carey Kish
"Music is a moral law. It gives soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and charm and gaiety to life and to everything."
Plato (427-347 BC)
Plato (427-347 BC)
