Weber Kelly Preserve

The allure of Weber Kelly is slightly more subtle than other nearby preserves. But this particular place has lots of interesting history and geology, and offers a secluded, roughly 1.5-mile walk in mixed woods of red oak, hemlock, and pine. The forest is quite open, with grassy areas. 

A note about stone walls: One of the trails that makes up the first loop from the trailhead is called the Stone Wall Trail, so I expected to see one of the low, crumbling, sprawling and fairly ubiquitous stone walls you find in Maine woods, remnants of long-ago pastures. But instead — and I am not entirely sure the trail name refers to this — I saw the most magnificent stone wall I’ve ever seen in this category, if indeed it was built for sheep or farming? You can find it at the end of the Quarry Trail near the the old feldspar quarry that was active from 1880 to 1910, or thereabouts. Because of its proximity to the quarry, I thought it must have something to do with that, but I can’t find any answers online.

Directions: Take Route 127 south from Route 1. Go 8 miles to Bay Point Road, turn right. Preserve parking area and kiosk is located two miles south on the left.