Richardson Tract, Orrington

In June, 2021, we found the best-kept part of this park right at the start, where a wide, mowed path dips down through a meadow to a shelter with picnic tables. After this, we found that the trail system, which meanders through mossy forest, to be neglected. Thankfully, the blazes were bright and numerous, so it’s impossible to get lost, even when the trail disappears under grass or ferns.

At the picnic tables, it’s hard to see where the trail goes. Ignore the snowmobile trail to your right, marked with a yellow arrow. While that will take you to the trail system, it’s better to start your walk on the footpaths because they’re less overgrown. To find them, continue past the picnic shelter on its left, edging the side of the meadow. You’ll see blue blazes at the corner of the meadow, and from there, it’s easy to follow the different trails marked with red, green, blue, or red blazes.

Directions: From Center Drive, turn onto Richardson Road. In xx miles, you’ll come to the preserve on your left, where you’ll see picnic tables and a large wooden sign with a rough trail map carved into it.