The North Garcelon parcel of the Garcelon Wilderness Management Area is situated around the picturesque and remote-feeling Spectacle Pond. The lake can be accessed by car during summer months via a dirt road (gated in winter) off Church Hill Road. The road, which ends at a parking area at the lake's north end, is normally accessible for all vehicles, but after a heavy rain, has one spot that is only passable in vehicles with higher clearance.
There are several miles of foot trails through classic Maine forest to the north and northeast of the pond (easiest access is by parking on Cross Hill Road).
Along the west side of the pond, a jeep/snowmobile trail runs south through thicker vegetation, eventually moving away from the pond and turning west to meet up with Church Hill Road once again.
The trails provide opportunities for hiking, bird watching, mountain biking, horseback riding, hunting, fishing, and trapping. Spectacle Pond provides excellent swimming. Snowmobiles and ATVs are allowed on most of the trails, as designated by the signage at the property. The trails are a hidden gem for mountain bikers or for those looking to highlight their hike with a dip in a refreshing and clean Maine pond.
This Wildlife Management Area (WMA) provides excellent habitat for a variety of wading birds and waterfowl, with wetlands making up much of its area. The Maine Natural Areas Program notes two Natural Communities of import on the property, a mixed hardwood conifer forest on the south shore of Dam Pond, and an oak-beech forest on the south side of Tolman Pond. Spectacle Pond is a first-class brown trout fishery.
For additional information, visit the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife website, or contact:
Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and WildlifeCROSS HILL ROAD TRAILHEAD
Take US-3 east from US-95, or ME-201 out of Augusta. At the intersection of US-3 and ME-201, head east on US-3 for 3.9 miles, then turn left onto Cross Hill Road. The trailhead is 2.9 miles up Cross Hill Road on the left, with an additional trailhead about 150 feet farther up the road. Look for a couple of stones at the entrance to the trail, amid a stone wall to either side, and across the street from 629 Cross Hill Road. The shoulder of the road is wide offering plenty of parking along the little-trafficed road.
CHURCH HILL ROAD TRAILHEAD
Take US-3 east from US-95, or ME-201 out of Augusta. At the intersection of US-3 and ME-201, head east on US-3 for 1.6 miles, then turn left onto Church Hill Road. The trailhead is 3.8 miles up Church Hill Road at a gravel road on the right. (If you come to a sign for Burnsboro Disc Golf, you've gone 0.2 miles too far.) If the gate is open, vehicles may drive down this road (four-wheel drive with higher clearance recommended during wet springs) 0.8 miles to a large parking lot at an intersection, with room for over ten cars and areas to camp.
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