Reed’s Loop on the Fly Rod Crosby Trail, Madrid Township

While completing the entire 45-mile Fly Rod Crosby Trail is a serious undertaking, you can chip off a small but lovely section at Reed’s Loop in the town of Madrid. The well-blazed one-mile loop includes a flat section along a stony, pool-encrusted stream. While we didn’t see any obvious pathway down to the water, we found a swimmable pool just north of the loop along the Fly Road Crosby Trail. There we had a satisfying plunge into clear, cold water.

The trail builders have put up signs for Reed’s Loop with arrows encouraging you to do the loop counter-clockwise. This is probably so you make your way down the more gentle descent to the river and then return up the very steep trail to the ridge, which brings you through forest on fairly level terrain.

Fly Rod Crosby Trail is a project of the High Peaks Alliance, which is devoted to keeping Western Maine’s undeveloped land preserved and accessible for generations to come.

Directions: From Rangeley Road/Route 4, turn onto Reed’s Mill Road. Go roughly 4.5 miles, and you’ll see the trailhead kiosk at the edge of a small field. It’s visible from the road. It’s soon after you pass Star Barn Yoga and Center Road on your left. If you reach Reed’s Mill Church, you’ve gone too far!