Machias River Preserve is the largest property that DCC has protected to date, with a total of 917 acres. This property has a network of 5.5 miles of trail that visitors can explore and provides access to the Down East Sunrise Trail.
Difficulty & Length: Visitors can explore the 5.5-mile trail network with a variety of loops by connecting hiking trails with segments of the multi-use Down East Sunrise Trail.
Town: Machias
Earlier this month, DCC’s Outreach Director Cathy explored the Money Island Trail which begins in Whitneyville. This trail provides a glimpse of a regenerating forest and on this early morning, Cathy heard a chorus of chickadees enjoying the day and caught a few warblers flying around. As she continued down the trail she observed a very cool spider web blowing in the light breeze. In addition to the natural features and wildlife you might observe along this trail, hikers will see old reminiscences of a homestead including a car left behind in the woods.
After walking half a mile, the trail provides wonderful views of the Machias River and Money Island in the middle. Cathy continued her journey along the river by walking the Hemlock Trail. Here she passed large trees and noticed a beautiful red lobelias bordering the river edge. As she continued down the Hemlock Trail she began to enter sections of the trail border by the marsh.
Cathy turned back the way she came, but hikers can choose to return to the parking via the Homestead Trail or along the Sunrise Trail.
Directions: Vehicle parking is available at 2 locations. The first is on Route 1A in Machias, about 0.5 mile south of the Down East Community Hospital and the second is on Route 1A in Whitneyville, about 0.3 mile north of the bridge over the Machias River.