Bijhouwer Forest Easement

There are no stunning ocean views here, but this land offers several delights — an impressive, towering 100-foot rock covered in lichen, a waterfall, small meadows, and winding streams. The waterfall might be dry if you visit in summer months.

The Phippsburg Land Trust says the 73 acres also shelter one of the northernmost stand of mountain laurel in New England, which blooms in late June and early July.

The trail system is made up of two loops: a 0.5-mile upper loop and a 0.7-mile lower loop. From the trailhead, you first follow a flat, old woods road for 0.25 miles, which brings you to a small meadow. Here the trail splits to form the first loop.

To see the delicate pink and white laurel blossoms, go left on the loop when you reach the first meadow and start of the upper loop (look for trail signs for mountain laurel). From here, you’ll head down to a small ravine cut by a stream, walking below big rock outcroppings on your left. Soon, the famous Hundred Foot Rock emerges through the trees. Coming upon this enormous boulder in the forest is quite an experience. (It’s not a glacial erratic, just a spot where the bedrock emerges from the earth. Also, there is no view from the top! No need to attempt the very steep scramble up.) From here, the delightful waterfall is about 0.2 miles.

The longer loop is called, somewhat mysteriously, The Island Trail. I did not see any islands. What you will see are a stream, a little ravine, and more gigantic exposed bedrock.

Directions: Follow Route 209 into Phippsburg, if coming from out of town. At the Stony Brook Road, turn right (the Stony Brook Road is about 3.5 miles from the causeway at the Phippsburg/Bath town line). Devil’s Highway is a left hand turn about 0.6 miles from the start of the Stony Brook Road. The left turn comes at a sharp turn. If you’ve come to the Fuller Mountain Road, a similar left hand turn, you’ve gone too far. The parking area is on the left. There is a small PLT sign in the parking area.