Far Winde-a-Way Nature Preserve, Greenwood

Far Winde-A-Way Nature Preserve is located just down the road from the Noyes Mountain trailhead. It is a network of trails on private land that have been generously opened to the public. Some of the trails pass along the shore of Mud Pond and up the west slope of Patch Mountain.

On my second visit, I made a clockwise loop through the preserve on Wheel Barrow, Winding Way, and Cake Walk. The new Wheel Barrow Trail follows an impressive bench cut (originally constructed for horse logging) along a steep slope for most of its length. The new section of Winding Way is very nice and makes a large loop over the top of the hill possible.

By far, the best additions were the scrambles. This is my first time seeing anything like it, but I think it’s an awesome idea! On Cake Walk, there are now two officially designed scrambling areas. You choose your own route up a steep boulder-covered slope to whatever attraction lies at the end of the scramble. Both are roughly 100 yards long, and are easy enough that my dog was able to make it up without assistance. One ends at a cliff face with water flowing down it, and the other at a huge overhanging rock forming a cave beneath. Both of these are inspiring places, and It’s so great that routes have been designated to them.

The preserve was created by Gerry and Dawn Nelson, a father and daughter team. Eventually they will host activities such as mushroom hunts, plant identification walks, and brook explorations. The preserve is dedicated to Pamela (Roots) Nelson, who they say “lived her dream to protect, conserve and enjoy these woods and waters. She roamed this rugged hillside and developed a trail system steeped in the natural wonders of the Maine foothills. Today you can enjoy some of the beauty she discovered.”

According to Mahoosuc Land Trust, the Far Winde-A-Way Nature Preserve is “nestled within the 12,228-acre Crooked Headwaters conservation easement conserved by Mahoosuc Land Trust and conservationists Mary McFadden and Larry Stifler (and many other partners) in 2021.“

By Sam Shirley

Directions: The access path to the kiosk and trails is on Greenwood Road, in Greenwood Maine, about 2.2 miles south of Greenwood center and the intersection with Route 219, and 0.3 miles north of the intersection with Richardson Hollow Road/Hayes Road. It is marked with a sign and a pathway leading to the kiosk. The preserve can also be accessed by any paddle craft over Mud Pond. There is an entrance and sign about half way down the pond, visible from the water.