QUICK TRAIL FACTS
- Preserve Size: +700 acres
- Trail Mileage: 0.75 miles
- Pets: yes
- Difficulty: easy to moderate
- Sights: views, Orange River
By Travis Chandler
This Downeast Coastal Conservancy preserve serves the Orange River Water Trail by providing boaters a remote camping spot and a lunch spot, both on the lake. There is also a hiking trail to the summit of the 289-foot Estey Mountain.
But land-based hikers can also access the trails via Dodge Road between East Machias and Whiting. A tiny parking area, big enough for two cars, splits the trail into two hikes, both of which are well marked with blue blazes and hiking signs on trees that can be easily seen from the parking area.
The Mountain Trail is only 0.25-miles but is fairly steep. It gains elevation quickly after leaving the parking area on the north side of the road, starting up an old gravel logging road. A tenth of a mile up, the trail turns to the left and begins switchbacks to the summit. Ample views to the west can be seen of several lakes in the area. A bench here would be a wonderful spot for a picnic.
The Lake Trail provides the opposite experience of the Mountain Trail. This trail is easy to navigate and, at 0.5 miles, covers flat ground through pine and spruce forest to reach a point of land on the lake. Large gatherings can be accommodated here with two picnic tables and three upright tree stumps. For those who love to hike barefoot, the pine needles, moss, and forest duff are soft under foot. Bog bridges and a long wooden bridge complete the trail. I was unable to tell if the lake could be conducive to swimming. In places it looked too shallow, but on the point it looked deeper. My concern would be leeches? With frost on the ground at the time of my visit, I kept my toes out of the water!
Directions: The two trails can be accessed from Dodge Road, off Route 1 between East Machias and Whiting. Please drive slowly! When the asphalt gives way to dirt on Dodge Road, stay straight for 0.3 of a mile. When you see a yellow ‘339’ sign, proceed up the steep hill instead of turning right. In 0.1 of a mile you will reach the trailhead.
