Jimmy Stream Conservation Area

I loved my springtime walk at the Jimmy Stream Conservation Area, where “the White family [who conserved the land], friends, and neighbors maintain the trails, including conservation manager Craig White,“ according to the Kennebec Land Trust, which holds the conservation easement for this lovely piece of land.

Craig White and the others do a great job! The two miles of trails are easy to follow, with blazes and bog bridges, and bring you to several enchanting spots by the stream, as well as along a forested ridge. Check the conservation area’s Facebook for nature updates.

The trails are for the most part easy, save for when you’re hiking up and down the ridge, on trails 3 and 4 — the Ridge Trail and the Pines Trail. You’ll also cross a corridor for a gas pipeline twice (this is marked on the map).

For the most stream access, follow trail 6, the Beaver Trail, which has several places to stop by the stream and check out the view of nearby Oak Hill. The access for Beaver Trail is from Gustin Road, a quiet and well-maintained dirt road, about 650 feet from the southern parking area. You can also pick it up next to the northern parking area.

Close to the first trailhead, you can launch a canoe or kayak onto Jimmy Stream and canoe to a long string of ponds: Jimmy, Buker, Sand, Woodbury, and Little Purgatory, all part of the Tacoma Lakes chain.

Directions:  From Route 197 in Litchfield, follow Wentzell Road to Gustin Road. Turn right onto Gustin Road. The first parking lot — with room for several vehicles — will be on the left after the bridge, in about a quarter mile. There is another moderate-sized parking lot a bit farther along the road, on the left. Both have trailhead kiosks. No hunting allowed. The landowners request you ask permission to forage for edible plants (except for berries — help yourself to those!).