Posted on January 11, 2021 and last updated on February 12, 2024

Sousa Family Preserve, Alfred

QUICK TRAIL FACTS

  • Preserve Size: 213 acres
  • Trail Mileage: 2-mile loop
  • Pets: yes
  • Difficulty: moderate
  • Sights: forest, wetlands, ancient Black Gum tree

The roughly 2-mile trail at this 213-acre Three Rivers Land Trust preserve begins rather steeply, taking you up through a forest. In about one mile, the well-marked path intersects with an old woods road. If you turn right and walk 0.2 miles or so, you’ll reach a wetland area. To return to the parking area, take a left at the intersection and continue down the path toward Gebung Road.

The land trust describes the wetland areas as dominated by red maple and hemlock, with some green ash, black ash, yellow birch, black birch, elm, and black gum. “One black gum tree was core sampled and found to have been growing for 330 years or more, which dates it to at least 1682.”

Directions: The trailhead and small parking area is off Wilderness Acres Drive, which is off Gebung Road. Parking is on the left at the start of a small gravel road blocked with boulders.

Let me know if you have any trail updates or corrections!