The main trails lead from the Deer Run and Quaco Road parking lots to the pond. These, as well as the Marshall Farm Trail loop to the east, are 8-foot wide gravel paths that are suitable for strollers, wheelchairs, and those with mobility challenges. There are additional narrow, natural-surfaced paths along the northern and southern shorelines of the pond. A beach at the west end of the pond is a popular swimming hole throughout the summer season.
The main trail from the Quaco Road parking lot (on the right side of the parking lot) heads downhill for its full 930 feet to the pond. Most of this slope is between about 4% and 6%, with a couple spots where it flattens out, and a shore steeper section (7-8% slope) approaching the beach area.
The Marshall Farm trail heads out from the left side of the Quaco Road parking lot. It begins by heading downhill for 800 feet, with the slope mostly between 2-5%, and a couple spots of 8%. It then climbs up breifly to a mostly flat section leading to its junction with the main trail coming from Quaco Road where the toilets & changing rooms building is located.
The two rooms in the bathhouse each contain a pit toilet, benches, and plenty of space to change into your bathing suit. There is a 4-inch step up to the concrete floor of these rooms.
From the Deer Run entrance, the trail starts out mostly flat for its first 250 feet, before a climb of 8-9% for 50 feet. The trail flattens again and goes slightly uphill before reaching the steepest section of this trail network, a 170-foot stretch heading down to the beach area with a slope of 10-12%.
All three trailheads have large rocks at either side of entrance to keep out vehicles, with about a 4-foot space between them.
HISTORY
For years Randy and Sandy Haskell kept the Deer Isle’s fresh water Lily Pond Beach open to the public. To assure future access, they contacted IHT. With a Land for Maine’s Future grant, some smaller foundation support, assistance from the Island Fishermen’s Wives, the Island Community Center, and invaluable help from Maine Coast Heritage Trust, IHT was able to purchase the beach in 2009. The adjacent dam to regulate the water flow was acquired in 2014.
GUIDELINES
For additional information, visit the Island Heritage Trust website, or contact:
Quaco Road Trailhead
From ME-15 in Deer Isle, 0.4 miles north of Main Street in Deer Isle village, head east on Quaco Road. There is a parking lot at the trailhead 0.4 miles down Quaco Road, on the right.
Deer Run Trailhead
From ME-15 in Deer Isle, 0.2 miles north of Main Street in Deer Isle village, head east on Deer Run. The trailhead is about 500 feet down this road on the right, just before the Deer Run Apartments at the end of the road. There a a few parking spots along the shoulder of the road.
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