Winters in Downeast Maine are often unpredictable, with forecasts often calling for inches of snow, rain, sleet, or ice making it hard to know when to brake your cabin fever to trek outdoors. However, whether you are on your first visit to Downeast Maine or have lived here many years, Downeast Coastal Conservancy offers access to diverse variety of lands always waiting to be explored in all seasons!
Last week, DCC’s staff made the trek up Pigeon Hill. This 170-acre preserves hosts many unique features including spruce-fir and jack pine woodlands. This snow-covered forest allowed for a quiet calming climb to the 317-foot summit featuring spectacular panoramic views of our coastal region. However, staff experienced several icy stretches, so please be cautious as the nearly 2 miles of interconnecting trails have several steep pitches that may be icy and hazardous depending on conditions.
Then over weekend as temperatures rose to what felt like a toasty 40-degrees day, DCC’s Membership and Outreach Director, Cathy, took full advantage of the sunny day to adventure out on our largest property, Machias River Preserve. This managed community forest did not disappoint – heading down the Money Island Trail, tracks of wildlife covered the snowy path and song birds flew throughout the trees. Cathy chose the Hemlock Trail for views of the frozen winter melting away on the Machias River and looped back down the Homestead Trail for a quiet walk through the natural forest. With about 5 miles of established primitive trails, plus nearly 1.5 miles of the Down East Sunrise Trail, the Machias River Preserve is a wonderful place to explore for an hour or even a full-day.
Hitting the trails on a cool winter day can be an exciting way to gain a whole new perspective on a property you know. Just know before you go and be prepared for the winter weather as you venture out to any of DCC’s winter access properties or other winter recreation areas.