Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge

Almost one-third of this refuge “is dedicated for animals,” according to the park ranger who also told us that humans aren’t allowed to swim in any of the ponds, lakes, or streams within the refuge borders. While I didn’t see too much wildlife, except for beautiful geese (I think I walk too loudly), I did enjoy the real feeling of wilderness here.

The Baring Moosehorn Refuge is made up of two areas, one enclosing the other. (There is another wildlife refuge in the region called Moosehorn Refuge, in Edmunds. Together, the two protect almost 30,000 acres.) The part in Baring that is deemed the federal wilderness area — for hikers only — is encircled by a buffer in which ATVs and other vehicles are allowed.

The highlights in the refuge are the various ponds and lakes: Mullen Meadow, Conic Lake, Cranberry Lake, etc. The refuge is part of a migratory route for many bird species, including waterfowl, wading birds, shorebirds, songbirds, and birds of prey.

You will find a mix of trails that follow grassy dirt lanes and narrower footpath in the refuge. The distances are long here; you might want to bring two vehicles to do a shorter one-way traverse, or prepare for several hours hiking to do one of the larger loops.

Short nature trails: Right around the headquarters, close to the refuge entrance, is a connected system of appealing nature trails with interpretative panels. Some are made to be accessible! These ones include the 0.3-mile paved Woodcock Trail and the Charlotte Trail; parts of the latter follow mown sections in flower-filled meadows. My guess is that these nature trails, including Greg’s Pond Trail and Raven Trail, are used more and so are better maintained than the more remote ones. (However, while the Greg Pond Trail sections near the pond are great, and include a bench right by the water’s edge, the back portion, which curves around the pond and wetlands and connects to Woodcock Trail, was thickly overgrown when we visited.) You can make a 3.2-mile loop (this is an approximate distance) if you start at Woodcock, link to Greg’s Pond, cross the street to connect to Raven Trail, and finish up on Charlotte Trail. 

The Tower Trail takes you up a moderate incline to the top of Bald Mountain and to a wooden fire tower…that has toppled over! There are no views. The trail does not seem frequently trafficked. If you do want to climb a short mountain with a bit of a view, you can climb Mt. Maguerrewok, in the far northeastern corner of the refuge.

Local hiker Travis Chandler offers more insight into other Moosehorn trails below:

Bearce Lake Trail: This is a lightly traveled, hiking-only path that leads from Route 191 and heads inland to the the main trail that cuts north and south through the refuge’s wilderness area. Counter to its name, it does not pass by Bearce Lake, though you get peeks of the lake in the distance. Also, no clear hiking paths lead to the lakeside. The trail follows along on old logging road that is beginning to grow in with trees, making for a delightful amble of two miles.

Wagner Loop Trail: This is a delightful walk in the woods, especially for those that want to see wildlife or what sustainable forestry looks like. In a thinned section of forest, I was within fifteen feet of a group of deer before they heard me and just froze, that is, until I started to take their picture. Then they bolted! The trail is an easy saunter for about 3.5 miles. The path is easy to follow — always make left turns at intersections. Two cars would be best at the trailheads, or return the way you came, or incorporate a hike up Bears Den Trail to get back to your vehicle in a 10-mile loop.

Bears Den Trail: The management of Moosehorn Wildlife Refuge truly need to be thanked for this gem of a trail. Starting on the Bearce Trail, it heads north past several beautiful lakes. Since this is a newish trail, it rolls through the forest as a true hiking path, i.e., it doe not follow a former logging road. I would call it a moderate trail as it lacks bridges, bog walks, and stone stairs to aid hikers, but the lack of those should not stop hikers from using it. In Maine’s best colors, I took some amazing photos of true wilderness!

The East Side of Charlotte Road is a delightful hike through variously aged forests punctuated by rolling hills on grass-covered lanes. Using two vehicles, the Snare Meadow Trail could encompass a 5.5-mile hike that takes in Howard Mill, a small storage dam for wildlife passage and water-level control. But the hike also passes by Eaton Heath as well as Snare Meadow before it terminates at the southern end of the refuge on Charlotte Road. With only one car; parked at the visitors center, a loop hike can be made by continuing the hike a short distance to One Mile Bridge Trail and taking in the central part of the refuge. Made up of grassy lanes that pass meadows, seeps, and flows, the longer loop ends back at the visitor’s center for a 9.5 mile hike. One trail, despite its name, Handson’s Pit Trail, is an especially delightful trail to hike with its huge white pines and needle-covered trail surface.

Directions: The nature trails are close to the refuge’s headquarters, at 103 Headquarters Road in Baring. You can pick up the other trails at various pullover spots on Route 191 and Charlotte Road. Even if there is no official P marked on the map for parking, it is usually possible to leave your car safely off the road.