QUICK TRAIL FACTS
- Preserve Size: 27 acres
- Trail Mileage: 0.4 miles one way
- Pets: yes
- Difficulty: easy
- Sights: white cedar swamp, pitch pine forest, boardwalk
The George E. Sweet Ecology Trail, protected by Mousam Way Land Trust, guides you through a pitch-pine forest (more specifically, a “pitch pine-scrub oak barren”) to a rare Atlantic white cedar swamp, where you can walk along a short boardwalk to a viewing platform.
A sign here explains that this unique forest swamp is the habitat for the rare Hessel’s hairstreak butterfly. “There are only a handful of places in Maine like it, and not all Atlantic white cedar swamps will support this delicate butterfly, but THIS is one of them!” Also, it reminds you that Maine is home to 120 butterfly species and gives you some tips on how to help protect them (avoid using lawn chemicals and pesticides, support local zoning laws that support wildlife, and purchase a loon license plate!).
I didn’t see the hairstreak, but I did see lots of picturesque pine cones littering the trail.
When I visited the preserve, the trail system was not blazed, and the little side trails that create short loops were especially a bit easy to miss.
Directions: The access road is private and neighbors ask that people park elsewhere. The trailhead is at the end of Great Works Drive from Sand Pond Road. The turn is directly after Huttopia Southern Maine if you’re coming from Route 4.
Please don’t trespass on private property.
It’s private road. Anyone who doesn’t live on the street is trespassing by driving on the road.
It is posted at the end of the road.
Hi, thanks for writing in. Is the parking area for the preserve closed now? And walkers encouraged to park elsewhere and walk in? Thank you for clarifying.
It is a private road. Anyone on the road who doesn’t live on the street is trespassing.
That is pretty clear.