Cadillac Mountain/South Ridge Trail/Mt. Desert, Maine

Posted on November 1, 2010 by Deni

Derby looking over the Featherbed

The South Ridge Trail of Cadillac Mountain will take you off the road and be an enjoyable hike for you and your dog.  A moderately challenging round trip hike of 7 miles will have your jaw dropping at every turn.  We have visited this hike a few times and have enjoyed it without fail.  The views are amazing and you have many opportunities to stop and enjoy the birds and other wildlife as well as plants along the trail.

For a full write up, please visit NETrailhead by clicking here.

The only section that was tough for our dog was within the final .5 miles.  When you reach the road and the trail turns to the right, there is a rock that has rungs to assist people over the rock.  Our dog needed a boost over the rock.

He did enjoy being able to take a dip in the Featherbed though.

Please keep in mind that this is a National Park and so rules and regulations apply for pets.  The list also advises of trails that are not appropriate for dogs due to steepness or rung ladders.  Dogs are to be kept on leash, it is carry in/carry out and you must pick up after your dog.

Our dog did fine on this hike.  There are some high elevation puddles and the Featherbed for your dog to get a drink and cool down, but much of this trail is exposed rock and you and your dog can become dehydrated easily so you may want to be sure to have water for your dog with you.  While our dog is used to being off leash, he really liked this hike and was completely tired out after the return trip.

So happy

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Long Creek Trail/South Portland, ME

Posted on October 19, 2010 by Deni

View from dock looking North

The Long Creek Trail is another of the South Portland Land Trust’s trails and is maintained by Youth Alternatives.  Located in the Brick Hill Complex, this trail is easily accessible and near the heart of the shopping district.

The trail itself begins with a short couple of stairs down and then you have the option to go to your left or to your right.  If you choose to go to your left, the trail is less traveled and will deadend.  The original plans were to obtain an easement from the Portland Jetport (airport) and connect with the new trail that will be created when the ped/bike bridge is completed.  The jetport has recently expanded and plans are currently on hold.

View from dock looking South

If you choose to go to the right, this part of the trail is more well traveled.  You will cross a small bog bridge immediately and then walk along a section that has a small wall built in the hillside.  The trail will then gradually descend and you will cross more bog bridges.  Upon coming to an opening, you will have the option to go down a short hill toward the water, a gravel walkway and you will have access to a dock.  This dock is privately owned, but is used by the public.

Continuing on the trail, the gravel walkway will turn to the right and go in to an open field, but the Long Creek Trail will go off to the left and make a short descent to the water behind the Olde English Village.

To view this trail on everytrail.com, please see below:

Long Creek Trail


EveryTrail – Find the best Hiking in Maine

This trail, as well as many of South Portland’s trails, does allow for your dog to be off leash as long as your dog responds to voice control.  It is also a carry in/carry out area and there are no dog bags provided at the trailhead so be sure to bring your own.

We have not often seen other people on this trail with the exception of teenagers by the dock.  Our dog looks forward to his dip at the dock as well as the small cove behind the apartment buildings.  We have seen herons in this cove and it is quite peaceful even though you are near the highway and many homes.  In the Fall, some areas of the trail can be slippery due to fallen leaves as well as many fallen acorns.

Future plans include an extension of this trail along a recently obtained easement behind Olde English Village that will connect to the side walk on Westbrook Street allowing you to cross and join the Clark’s Pond Trail.

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Caribou Mountain/Evans Notch, ME

Posted on October 17, 2010 by Deni

Derby on top of Caribou Mountain

Caribou Mountain is one of our all time favorite hikes.  It is located in the White Mountain National Forest on the Maine side.  For a complete write up and directions, please visit NETrailhead.  This is one of the shorter mountains but has an amazing view you won’t want to miss.  Two ridges at the top offer 360 degree breathtaking views.

Our trip up and down this mountain was fun.  Our dog only had one spot where he had trouble scrambling up and over a rock, but with a slight boost made it up fine.  We chose the steeper trail to go up and the gradual trail for our descent.  There were plenty of streams and water for him to get in to and cool off or just get a drink out of.  We did have our dog off leash for this hike unless we encountered others due to the fact that we would be impeding his progress and our own had be been leashed the whole time.  Where this is a National Forest you will have to pay or obtain a pass.  It is also carry in/carry out.

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Sprague Pond Preserve/Phippsburg, ME

Posted on October 10, 2010 by Deni

South End of Sprague Pond

Sprague Pond Preserve is a truly beautiful hike and a dream off leash walk for dogs.  There are multiple streams, a 10 acre spring fed pond and a waterfall that your dog will gladly get a drink from or be able to cool off in.  This land is one of nine properties maintained by the Phippsburg Land Trust.

Trail head sign. Maps are available just past this sign.

There is a small parking lot off Rt 209S.  The trail begins between two homes so it is best to leash your dog through the beginning of the trail.  We did hear a rooster so it is safe to assume that one of the homes may have chickens.  Both homes also have lawns that come within 2ft of the trail.  The trail leads you down a hill and you will come upon a small pond and cross a small section of bog bridges.  Once over those, you will come to a slight right turn, the 2nd home’s lawn is directly on your left.  There will be a  long section of bog bridges that are set slightly below the waterline.  Once over this section, you are safe to unleash your dog.  Follow the trail to the left and up the hill.

Descending you will reach the lower end of Sprague Pond.  The view is beautiful.  Soon you will come to a junction.  To the right leads to Burnt Ledge and further to Basin Road.  To the left is the Nature Conservatory’s Loop Trail.    We found out later that had we read the map at the trail head, it states that they “ask” that no dogs, horses or atvs be on this trail.  It is too bad due to this being such an amazing walk.  The terrain is varied with some 125ft elevations.  You will be walking along a carpet of pine needles one minute, then through low bush blueberries and shrub brush and next you will be walking on a granite ledge.

Derby having a drink just above the waterfall

The right hand junction toward Burnt Ledge is also an awesome walk.  This walk is mainly flat.  It skirts the lake before taking a left turn up a hill away from the lake.  One of the highlights of our trip was the waterfall along this section of the hike.  A lazy stream enters from an open field and winds it way through rock and then tumbles through the top part of the falls and then on to more drops.  You will need to cross the stream here.  Continue on through the woods until you reach Burnt Ledge.  There is a marker in the rock from the survey.  At this point you can follow the Green Piece Trail to the right and continue on to Basin Road.  To continue straight and then left down off the ledge will follow the Loop Trail.

Our dog truly enjoyed himself on this hike and we were excited at every turn to see what would be next.  On our way out of the preserve, we saw a bald eagle fly overhead.  This was a first for us in the wild.

Also, as we were crossing the bog bridges by the homes, a hunter shot just to our left along the bank so be aware that hunting is allowed on this property and take precautions.  Route 209 is a very busy road with speed limits of 50 mph at this area so please be careful when unloading and loading your dog.

For a map of our hike and pictures on everytrail.com click here:
Sprague Pond Preserve


EveryTrail – Find the best “>

Directions:  From the South, follow I-295 north to Brunswick.  Follow Rt 1 North to Bath and take the 2nd exit for Phippsburg/High Street.  Take a right off the exit on to Rt 209 South.  From this intersection the trail head will be approximately 9.2 miles on your right.  There is space here for 3 cars to park.  There is also another trail head along Basin Road.

Just follow the marked trail

Section of waterfall

One of many streams

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Rines Forest – Cumberland

Posted on October 6, 2010 by Scott

We recently took a nice walk through Rines Forest, a 216-acre wooded area off of Range Road in Cumberland, Maine. When we arrived at the trailhead, the first thing that we noticed is that hunting is allowed in Rines Forest. We were greeted by a helpful gentleman with a shotgun at the entrance. So, just be aware that hunting is allowed in the area so take necessary precautions.

There is a large map and paper maps available at the kiosk at the start of the hike. We got some additional information from the friendly hunter and he cautioned us against some particularly wet areas in the wood. The paths throughout the woods are very well-marked. Colored markers match the printed maps and we had no trouble following the trail. The terrain was very gradual with very little change in elevation. The only obstacles on the path were some very wet areas. Some wooden planks have been across some areas but it was very difficult to complete our loop without getting our feet a little wet. Rines Forest does abut private property but there were obvious signs alerting you to the boundary of the preserve.

The highlight of Rines Forest, in my mind, is a river flowing through the area. It is a great resource for a dog watering hold and there are also three marked waterfalls in the area. We saw one waterfall. As the hunter we met said, it certainly isn’t Niagra Falls but it was very pretty and serene. Derby really enjoyed splashing around in the calm, deep pools of water while we took in the nice sights.

We did this hike in early October and, as such, didn’t run into any trouble with mosquitoes or other bugs. However, we did read in a book that the bugs can be relentless and with all the water there I can imagine that it would be crawling with mosquitoes in the spring and summer months. Overall, I found this to be a very enjoyable walk through the woods and Derby really enjoyed being off-leash, exploring the woods, and taking a dip in the stream. I’d highly recommend this walk.

Directions;

From the South, take I-295 North to exit 10 (Falmouth).  Take a right off the exit, then take a right at the light at the intersection of Rt 9 to take Rt 9 North.  Travel approximately 3 miles.  Once you cross the train tracks, take a left on to Cross Rd.  Travel .3 miles to the intersection with Winn Road.  Continue straight across the intersection.  The road changed to Range Road once you cross over Winn.  Travel 1.2 miles to the trail head on the right side of the road.  There is a small area to pull off the road and the kiosk is visible.

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Middle Mountain/Green Hills Preserve

Posted on September 16, 2010 by Scott

Summit of Middle Mountain

Middle Mountain is the mountain right next to Peaked Mountain, part of the New Hampshire branch of the Nature Conservatory. We had actually hiked Peaked Mountain just the weekend before and decided to hike the next mountain, Middle Mountain, which is just a little step up from Peaked Mountain in distance and elevation. Middle Mountain’s height is 1,857 feet to Peaked Mountain’s 1,793 feet.

I actually ascended the same steep trail that we had taken the weekend before. There is a fork in the trail after the steepest of the climb is behind you. Going left brings you to Peaked Mountain. The right-hand trail is another 0.8 miles to the summit of Middle Mountain. After getting past the steep part of the trail and beginning my journey toward Middle Mountain after the fork in the trail, the rest of the hike was pretty easy with only a small last “push” at the end to reach the summit. If you enjoyed Peaked Mountain, this could almost be considered a “sister hike.”

Like all the trails we have been on in the Green Hills Preserve, the trails are very well marked and traveled. There are some exposed rocks and loose dirt near to top of Middle Mountain but I had no trouble maneuvering my way to the top, following my dog’s lead. Unlike Peaked Mountain, I ran into no one else on my sojourn to the top of Middle. The top of Middle is surrounded by a perimeter of trees and is a little less open than the top of Peaked but multiple openings onto rock ledges afford beautiful views of the landscape that are very similar to those atop Peaked.

I did not run into any other hikers after taking the trail to Middle instead of Peaked and I ran into no one else at the top which made for a very peaceful time at the top. The only stress was watching our dog peer over the very edge of all the rock ledges with no regard for the great heights we were at. This, though, I should be used to by now.


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Directions: From Rt 302 W, turn right on to North-South Rd (toward Lowe’s) just before the junction with Rt 16. Travel North and turn right on to Artist Falls Road. Turn right on to Thompson Rd and travel .3 miles to the parking area on right.

For more information: Nature Conservancy of New Hampshire

From the Thompson Road parking area, follow the wide trail to the informational kiosk. Going to the right will take you to the Pudding Pond loop which going left will lead you towards Peaked, Middle and Black Cap mountains.

The trail begins very gradually at first and it is not until the well-marked junction that the trail begins to become a little more strenuous. Me and my dog had no trouble navigating the trail up and we actually jogged down the trail on our way back.

If you like Peaked Mountain, you’ll also enjoy Middle Mountain.

Looking toward a ledge


View of Pudding Pond

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Peaked Mountain/Green Hills Preserve

Posted on September 10, 2010 by Deni

View from summit toward Franconia Notch

Want an amazing view of Mount Washington and the rest of Presidential Mountain Range without an all day strenuous hike?  A half day moderate hike at Peaked Mountain in the Green Hills Preserve may be just your ticket.  Located in North Conway, Green Hills Preserve is right in the heart of outlet mall shopping and great dining.  The almost 5000 acre preserve is part of the New Hampshire branch of the Nature Conservatory and includes Pudding Pond (also referred to as Puddin Pond), Peaked Mtn with a 1739 ft high with an elevation gain of approximately 1200 ft., Middle Mtn and Black Cap Mtn.


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Directions:  From Rt 302 W, turn right on to North-South Rd (toward Lowe’s) just before the junction with Rt 16.  Travel North and turn right on to Artist Falls Road.  Turn right on to Thompson Rd and travel .3 miles to the parking area on right.

Wellmarked trails

For more information: Nature Conservancy of New Hampshire

From the Thompson Road parking area, follow the wide trail approximately .2 miles parallel to the power lines in to the first kiosk.  Here you can pick up a map and head out on your adventure.

For the Peaked Mtn loop, take the left at the kiosk, cross under the power lines and follow the trail in to the woods.  The trail is gradual and you will quickly reach a junction where the Black Cap and Peaked Trails go to the left and Middle and Peaked go to the right (Peaked can be hiked as a loop with the connector between Middle and Peaked).

At this junction the trail difference to the summit of Peaked is .2 miles difference, shorter if you take the Middle Mtn trail to the right which is approximately 1.4 miles; the left junction toward Black Cap is approximately 1.6 miles to the summit.  There is a difference in trail grade as well.  The right junction toward Middle begins to ascend steeply for approximately .6 mile and is parallel to a seasonal brook.  Our dog had a fun time going off to the side and in the dry brook bed.  The trail to the left toward Black Cap is relatively level for approximately .8 mile ascending gradually and is great for looking for rare plants and spotting birds.

You will reach a second kiosk and the Black Cap Trail will continue straight for another 3.3 miles and Peaked will turn to the right and begin a more steep ascension to the top.  As you begin to reach the top, there are granite slabs that you will walk over and great views to look at as you stop and take a breather.  Visible most of the way up at this point are the Presidentials and Moat Range.  You will come upon the connector to Middle Mtn and at this point you only have .2 mile to the summit.  Once there, the views are amazing and Pudding Pond can be seen in front of you as well as the Outlet Mall area of Settlers Green along Rt 16.  This is a great place to snap many pictures and take a rest, have a snack or even a lunch.  Our dog had a nice rest in the blueberry bushes after his snack and some exploring around the summit.  Depending on which way you ascended, you can make a loop by descending the opposite trail.

This trail should be appropriate for dogs of good physical condition of all ages.  We did not encounter an area where our dog struggled or was not able to pass with ease.  We took the more steep trail up Middle Mtn to the Peaked Mtn connector and each time we thought the grade was wearing him down he would take a sprint up trail or off trail and then back.  We passed other hikers with dogs and the rules here specify that the dog “must be under control at all times”.  This leaves room for some interpretation but we did not see any dogs out of sight of the owner or far ahead of the owners.  This is a carry in and carry out area and there are no trash cans available.  Our dog had a great time leaping over fallen trees, stopping to take a drink in the fresh brooks and cooling off.  The trails are very well marked and easy to follow.  Overall, a very good hike for both us and our dog.

Derby at the Summit

Derby having a refreshing dip

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Clark’s Pond Trail

Posted on August 12, 2010 by Deni
Bridge at Clark's Pond

Winter view of one of the bridges along the trail

The West End of South Portland is better known as a commercial destination reached via vehicle due to the Maine Mall and surrounding strip malls but is becoming a popular destination for those on foot and bike as well. What is enticing them is the network of trails that are sprawling and intertwining through any green space available in the jungle of pavement and concrete. The hard work of the South Portland Land Trust’s WET (West End Trails) Committee has produced a true gem in the Clark’s Pond Trail.

Location: 300 Clarks Pond Parkway South Portland, Maine 04106

Directions:

View larger map

Access is off the far right side of the Home Depot Parking Lot
Ammenities: parking, information kiosk and trail map, benches along trail, handicap accessible section, no restrooms, no trash.  Carry out what you carry in.

For more information: South Portland Land Trust

From the kiosk you have the option to follow the paved sidewalk to the left or to the right.  This trail loops so taking either will bring you back to this point.  Once in the woods the path is packed earth and roots, is easy to follow and well marked.  The trail is mainly flat but there are some small hills, stairs and bridges to cross.  The loop is listed as 1.1 miles as well as 1.7 miles on the land trust website.  We have seen many birds along this trail including woodpeckers and herons. There are signs that beavers once lived here but they don't seem to be inhabiting the area at this time.

To the left you will soon find a section of trail that will be on the right and is a handicap accessible shorter trail that leads to an area with benches that look out over the pond and is a popular nesting area for Canadian geese. If you continue straight on the paved sidewalk you will pass around the back of Home Depot and join the sidewalk along Gorham Road.  Take the right on to the sidewalk and follow Gorham Road (which will turn in to Western Ave) toward I-295 past the National Guard and Irving Gas Station.  One of the nicest views is available to you from the bridge and is often missed by travelers in passing vehicles.  Just before the I-295 overpass you will bear to the right and join the wooded path that hugs the curves along the banks of Clark's Pond.  As you near the end of the trail you will come to a crushed rock pass and to the left will be a connector for the Red Brook Trail.  Once you reach the paved path again, you can take a right and go back to the parking lot and complete your loop.  If you want to continue walking, you can take a left and follow the sidewalk along John Roberts Road and walk the Red Brook Trail or North Branch Trail which are only a short distance away.  Reverse the description if you want to take a right at the trail head ending your walk by following the side walk along Western Ave & Gorham Road.

Derby having snow fun

Regarding dogs:  There are no poop bags available at the trail head so be sure to bring one with you.  This trail is between a highway and the pond for most of the wooded walk.  Be sure to keep your dog on leash if it is not under voice control.  This walk is becoming more popular and the path is narrow in some places.  Be sure to keep your dog in sight and be respectful by recalling and leashing if needed when approaching others along the trail.  This trail is mainly flat with a few small hills and some steps so dogs of all ages and size should do fine.  Our dog loves to walk to our left or right and jump over sticks and fallen trees and even enjoys a nice swim in the pond when it's hot out.

Have you visited this urban hike?  Please tell us about it!

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Welcome

Posted on August 11, 2010 by Scott

Welcome to the new site, DogWalkSpot.com. We will have write ups of dog-friendly places to go and explore the outdoors with your furry companion.

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