Robinson Woods Cape Elizabeth, ME

Posted on August 14, 2008 by deni

Many people follow Shore Road in Cape Elizabeth to see the ocean and visit Fort Williams State Park. However, there is a small gem of preserved land with an easy trail and many vernal pools along this road and only a short distance from the better known state park. Robinson Woods, part of the Cape Elizabeth Land Trust (C.E.L.T.) has 87 acres of fairly level packed dirt path that winds its way around a nice a loop where you can smell the ocean while checking out the local flora and fauna and hopefully catch a glimpse of wildlife. There is a self-guided tour book available at the entrance, please be sure to return it for others to enjoy.

Open dawn to dusk, no fee, hiking, bird watching, dogs allowed on leash and under total voice control, mountain biking, no trash, no toilet.

For more information: http://www.capelandtrust.org/

To get there: From RT 77 take a left on to Shore Rd toward Portland Head Light/Fort Williams State Park. Trail access on Left just after Pond Cove on Right. The sign above on this post will be visible. There are also trail entrances at Dyer Road and Rock Crest Drive.

While not a Portland Trail trip for us, this was an exploratory trip as our dog had minor surgery and we decided to find some trails less traveled; Robinson Woods turned out to be just what we were looking for. We dedicided to take the boundry trail on this 1.4 mile loop trail. Most of the trail is packed dirt, fairly level, and a few small bridges to help you over vernal pools. We saw many old trees of different varieties and found the trail marked well with white blazes as well as signs with the greenbelt where the paths overlap. The website says that there are deer, owls, fisher and woodpeckers residing in Robinson Woods as well as Eider Ducks that raise young near the protective waters. There is also fresh water that goes through the woods and is a tributary to the ocean at Pond Cove.

Notes: During our visit in July 2008, we found the trail to be quite nice and we only saw two people walking a dog so there was a lot of solitude. However the misquitoes were of a different hybrid breed that we have never encountered before. We both sprayed ourselves down before entering the woods and came out with many a swollen bite on us. Even our poor dog was “bugged”. One of my favorite moments though, was rounding the path on the way back parallel to Shore Road and smelling the ocean. With the proper bug spray, I would think this would be a fabulous place to take children and take the self guided tour to educate them about the local flora and fauna. We didn’t see the book until we were on our way out, but next time I would certainly take it along as there are many well marked spots along the trail and I would like to know what they are.

Have you been here? Send us a comment and tell us about your experience.

Back Cove/Back Bay Portland, ME

Posted on July 15, 2008 by deni

Scenic Back Cove trail in Portland is one of the area’s most used shared paths. The 3.5 mile loop around the cove passes Payson Park and connects to the Eastern Prom Trail which leads to the Old Port area. Accessible from many streets in the area, the path is often used by people and families walking, running, biking, training groups who are preparing for races such as the Beach to Beacon and there are weekly 5k races held here all Summer.

$Roses and Tukey\'s Bridge Back Cove$

Open dawn to dusk, no fee, seasonal portable toilets located in the Preble Street parking lot and Payson Park, four seasonal water fountains (two have dog bowls as well), benches, trash cans approx. every mile and informational signs.

Hiking, biking, soccer fields, bird watching, cross country skiing and snow shoeing, handicap accessible, strollers, dogs on leash.

For more information http://www.trails.org/

To Get There:

There are many, many access routes to Back Cove, however, parking is available in the lot off Preble Street Extension (across from the Hannaford store on Forest Ave) and on the north side of Baxter Boulevard at Payson Park.

We visit Back Cove, or Back Bay as is is also known, many times a year. It is one of the most scenic paths in the area, is well maintained and well marked. There have been many improvements to the path this year. They have laid new crushed stone, repaved the short expanse between the parking lot and Baxter Blvd., moved the Start line to edge of the parking lot and put all new signs up. There has also been a group who has begun a yardscaping project on the highway side of the trail just past the soccer fields. The path is even and level with only a slight rise when the path reaches Tukey’s Bridge and crosses the bay with I-295.

Notes: The path is wide and there is plenty of room to walk comfortably in both directions. There is a more narrow part when the path crosses Tukey’s Bridge and follows along I-295. The recent work on the path is a much needed and appreciated improvement. The water run-off grooves have been filled in and the path ruts have been eradicated for now. Just a great walk in general with great views of the bay and skyline.

$Going over Tukey\'s Bridge Back Cove$

Falmouth Nature Preserve Falmouth, ME

Posted on July 6, 2008 by deni

The second of our Portland Trails hikes, The Falmouth Nature Preserve is a little difficult to find, but once you get there, you will be surprised at what a treasure it is. Located on the Mill Creek flood plain, the paths lead you through many kinds of terrain.

2.5 miles; Open dawn to dusk; no trash; no restrooms; last visited June 2008

Hiking, mountain biking, snow shoeing, cross country skiing, dogs on leash, bird watching

For more Information http://www.trails.org/

To Get There:

The76-acre preserve is located on Route 88 ( Foreside Road ) about 0.7 miles south of Town Landing Market. The entrance to the parking lot is marked by a small white sign with the letter “FNP” and is 0.3 miles north of the bridge over Mill Creek, just past 176 Foreside Road.

There are five trails that wind and criss-cross through the preserve. All of the trails are well maintained and well marked with blazes in each color of the trails. They are generally packed earth with exposed roots and a few wooden bridges over some of the wetter areas. Most of the way is fairly level, we only experienced a few hills on our “border” hike. The sign at the entrance is a great guide, although we mis-read it and ended up on a longer journey than we expected, but worth every minute.

Notes: We only saw one other person who happened to be walking a dog. We did see a lot of deer tracks and heard many birds. I was excited by all the flowers in bloom, especially the Lady Slippers. We also saw a few random ladder type structures that seemed to be out of place and had no purpose.

Presumpscot River Preserve Portland, ME

Posted on June 25, 2008 by deni

We recently purchased the Portland Trails Map and have decided to hit up all the trials this Summer. The first being the Presumpscot River Preserve. I was intrigued by the “rough water”, history and conservation that is going on here. Smelt Hill Dam is an area of the trail that is currently undergoing some habitat restoration.

Presumpscot River Preserve 2.5 m round trip +-

Portland, ME

Hiking, biking, fishing, swimming, dogs on leash, bird watching, kayaking, snow shoeing, x-country ski, no fee, no restrooms, no trash

Visited June 2008

Open dawn to dusk

To Get There:

From RT. 100/Washington Ave turn on to Allen Ave Extension. Follow to turn on to Summit St. on left. Follow Summit to Curtis Rd on right and then take right on to Overset. Overset is a dead end and there is limited parking (possibly for 3-4 cars).

Resource: The trail is part of the Portland Trails system, more info can be found at www.trails.org

There is varied even grading with inclines and declines as well as some bridges and boardwalks over wet areas. Most of the trail is packed earth with exposed roots. Some of the trail markers have been destroyed, but the path is easy to follow. There are many side trails as well as a loop trail for options of exploring the area. The main path leads to a T-intersection that leads upstream or downstream along the river. Downstream there is an area of rough water with a sign explaining the Smelt Hill Dam and how the area is being revitalized. There is a portage area for boaters to take out and re-enter the river around the rough water.

Notes: This is a highly residential area you will drive through to the trailhead. The downstream path does end and border private property, however, there is the possible loop to connect to Oak Nuts Park which will bring you back to Summit St and you could easily walk back to where you park via the sidewalk.

We saw a few bikers and swimmers as well as fishing birds while we explored the area.

NETrailhead

Northern New England outdoor recreation and adventure travel in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont

Category Archives: Urban Adventures

Robinson Woods Cape Elizabeth, ME

Back Cove/Back Bay Portland, ME

Falmouth Nature Preserve Falmouth, ME

Presumpscot River Preserve Portland, ME