Posted on September 3, 2018 and last updated on June 17, 2019

Annie Sturgis Sanctuary, Vassalboro

QUICK TRAIL FACTS

  • Preserve Size: 40 acres
  • Trail Mileage: 1.5 miles
  • Pets: no
  • Difficulty: easy to moderate (one steep section)
  • Sights: wildflowers, woods, fields, old chimney stand

If you come at the right time of the year, you’ll see a rare patch of wild ginger flowers here. Because I visited in August, I didn’t see the flowers, although I do believe I found the plant (on the smaller of the two loops, past the spur to Mt. Tom and the chimney). I looked up the flowers online — they’re beautiful! Well worth coming back to try to see them in blossom.

This preserve is only open April 1 to October 31. When I visited, the trail was easy to follow, but didn’t seem well trafficked. A short trail spur goes to a forested little knoll called Mt. Tom with a stone chimney and bench.

Directions: If you are headed north on Rt. 201, go approximately 4.1 miles and turn left onto Cushnoc Road. The sanctuary is 1.5 miles down Cushnoc Road on the left. The sign is rather small and the paint was flaking off when I visited. Park at the side of the road, and walk on the right side of the trees along the meadow to the trail down to the riverside preserve.

Let me know if you have any trail updates or corrections!