Starting in 2005, with funding from National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and private donations, over 125 acres of land were purchased from Maxine Peaslee Tornell and her family. Maxine’s mother, Thelma Lucy Wyman, inherited the property from her parents and lived on it from 1922 (when she married Earl Peaslee) until 1970, when she passed it on to their daughter, Maxine Peaslee (Tornell). Much of the property was pasture, with open fields at the top of the hill. In notes from Maxine Tornell regarding this area, it was filled with “wonderful wildflowers like Jack-in-the-pulpit, Dogtooth violets, Dutchman’s breeches, Lilies, Skunk cabbage as well as fiddleheads and the many crab apple trees. Plus all of the wildlife - deer and moose, raccoon and fox, rabbit, skunk and porcupine, partridge, etc.”.
Blue Trail (0.7 mile loop, easy): The Blue Trail leaves the parking lot and follows the historic Wiscasset, Waterville, Farmington (WWF) railroad right-of-way to Trout Brook. The trail heads up the hill to the right into a forest of pines and then through early succession forestland. The easy hike follows old logging roads in places, and through what was once farmland until the mid-1900’s. The trail follows the high point of land, past the turn-off for the Red Trail, before looping down the hill and back towards the parking lot. The trail comes back out on the WWF path before arriving back at the parking lot.
Red Trail (1.6 mile loop, moderate): The Red Trail parts from the Blue Trail along the top of the hill, approximately 0.3 miles from the parking lot. Meandering up and down small ravines and along Trout Brook, it offers hikers views of mature forests and stream side habitats. The trail splits near the Brook, 0.25 miles from the Blue Trail intersection, and makes a mile loop back to this point. After following the brook, the trail climbs to uplands and mixed forests. Here it follows old logging roads in places and a variety of wildlife habitats.
There are no facilities at this property. We ask that you follow carry-in/carry-out policy so others can enjoy the scenic beauty. Leave No Trace: please carry out what you carry in and do not take souvenirs. As hunting is permitted, both hunters and hikers should use extreme caution during hunting season.
Dogs should be under control of their owners at all times; please clean up after your pets.
Visit the Midcoast Conservancy website for more information or contact:
From the South: From US Route 1 in Wiscasset, follow ME Route 218 north for 6.5 miles to the Alna General Store. Continue on ME Route 218 for 0.5 miles. The preserve parking lot and kiosk are located on the left after you cross Trout Brook.
From the North: Follow ME Route 218 south. Trout Brook Preserve is 0.5 miles beyond West Alna Road on the right. The parking lot and kiosk is on your right, just before crossing Trout Brook.
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