Rosmarin and Saunders Family Forest, Readfield

Historically this property was farmland and pasture, but more recently it’s been used as a woodlot.The Kennebec Land Trust says the forest was harvested in 2016 to provide income to the Rosmarin family to help them give the land to the trust, and that the land trust plan to use the woods here as a demonstration site for sustainable forestry.

The habitats vary here between younger and older forest and a large marsh. You have the choice of several loop walks to explore the varied terrain. Many trails converge at a pretty stream, right where it runs under the snowmobile track/old woods rood that bisects the property.

You can hike the 1.1-mile Beaver Pond loop trail, closest to the trailhead, which makes its way through recently harvested forest, as well as by an enormous beaver pond — it’s impressive. Or you can head down the snowmobile track, which is flat, wide and easy to walk. If you’re going to walk this old road and come back either of the blue-blazed footpaths, I recommend the 0.7-mile path that passes by the wetland, on the west side of the road. Look for the blazes to your right (and left) about a half mile after you pass the stream.

Directions: From Route 41/17 in Readfield, turn onto Nickerson Hill Road. Go 0.6 miles to the small parking area on your left. There’s room for about three or so cars.