A hike on the trail system developed by the Georges River Land Trust provides spectacular views of the Mid-Coast area.
A walk in the clouds

As we emerged from a wooded section of the trail, we were greeted with a panoramic view of the Mid-Coast area and Penobscot Bay. We were on the ledges near the summit of Ragged Mountain, overlooking the coastal communities of Rockland, Camden and Rockport. From our vantage point, we could see well beyond their harbors to the spectacular bay islands of Vinalhaven, North Haven, Islesboro and Isle Au Haute in the east. Just outside of Rockland Harbor, the Vinalhaven Ferry could be seen returning with a load of vehicles and passengers. To the south, the ragged peninsulas of Owls Head and Spruce Head jutted out into the bay. With more careful inspection, we were able to distinguish the outlines of the more distant island of Matinicus to our southeast, and the mountains of Mount Desert Island to our northeast.

Hiking further northwest along the ledges, we were treated to views of Grassy and Fish Ponds to our west and the hills of Appleton Ridge to our north. Immediately below, the perfectly calm Mirror Lake reflected back up at us. My wife, Nancy, and I were hiking the Georges Highland Path (GHP) in an area collectively known as the Camden Hills. It is a truly majestic and scenic area.

The GHP is a relatively new trail system developed by the Georges River Land Trust; which, according to their Web site at www.grlt.org, is a non-profit organization that was formed by local citizens in 1987. There are more than 35 miles of trails in the GRLT that meander through the countryside, often crossing or paralleling stonewalls, built by early settlers, and over mountain tops from Thomaston to Montville. When Nancy and I first hiked this area in the 1970s, there was no formal trail system. Rather, there was an assortment of unofficial paths that crossed private lands – a circumstance that frequently lent itself to conflicts between hikers and local landowners. It was not unusual to find no trespassing signs in an area that had been hiked just a few days earlier. The GRLT has changed all of that, establishing what it calls a system of “conservation trails” throughout the Georges River watershed. There are plans for more.

We decided to hike a portion of the path system known as the Bald-Ragged Section. This is about a 10-mile hike that begins near the village of South Hope and ends on Bald Mountain in Camden. To reach this area from central Maine, travel east on Route 17 from Augusta until you arrive in South Hope, which is approximately three miles east of the junction of Route 235 in Union. There are four access points for the section of trail, and they all have some parking spaces. We began at the Mount Pleasant Farm Access, which can be reached by taking the Davis Road east out of South Hope and then the Mount Pleasant Road past Mount Pleasant Street to its terminus.

The access point for the end of our hike was the Barnestown Road Access, which can be found by traveling further east on Route 17 and then following Hope St. and the Gillette Road to the Barnestown Road. Then, take a right turn, and the trailhead and parking area are just a few hundred feet from the junction on the left. There are also alternative access points on Route 17 near Mirror Lake and at the Thorndike Brook Access on Hope Street, which provide for shorter hikes in the same Bald-Ragged Section.

I found that the Delorme Maine Atlas was invaluable in locating the trailheads. The GRLT also provides maps, which can often be found in containers at the trailheads or by accessing their website.

For our hike, we left a shuttle vehicle at the Barnestown trailhead and started at the Mount Pleasant Farm Access. Other options are to do a bike shuttle or select a specific hiking destination and then return to your vehicle. The first part of the hike wanders circuitously through Mount Pleasant Farm and over some old farm roads and trails and is a little confusing. So, be particularly alert for trail signs and blazes. After reaching higher elevations, the trail more clearly follows along the north side of Pleasant Mountain and crosses Mount Pleasant Street after about 2 miles. It then passes through a low lying area south of Grassy Pond and climbs to a rock outcropping on the East Peak of Spruce Mountain, which provides excellent views of western Penobscot Bay. The trail then descends to the Route 17 Access, which is about 4 miles into the hike.

Leaving Route 17, the path follows around the northeast shore of Mirror Lake and then ascends gradually to the summit area of Ragged Mountain. The summit area includes steep, exposed ledge and hikers should be sure-footed and cautious. This area and the summit area of Bald Mountain can be quite treacherous when wet or icy and probably should be avoided when those conditions exist. There are numerous spots on Ragged Mountain that afford spectacular views. Select one that pleases you and enjoy a picnic lunch while simultaneously consuming the visual delights. Don’t forget to carry out all of your trash.

From Ragged Mountain, the trail winds over ledges and then through a wooded area to Thorndike Junction, which is about 7 miles into the hike. It then continues for another mile northeasterly over Buzzard’s Ledge, which affords views of Bald Mountain, and descends steeply to the Barnestown Road Access. From the Barnestown trailhead, it is about a two mile round-trip hike to the summit of Bald Mountain and back. Try to ignore any aching muscles and avoid the temptation to call it a day when you reach the Barnestown Access, as the summit of Bald Mountain provides 360 degree views that rival or exceed those of Ragged Mountain.

Although it can be completed faster, the Bald-Ragged Section hike is essentially a day long adventure and the would-be hiker should plan accordingly. I recommend that you carry a small pack with a warm outer layer of clothing, plenty of water and snack foods (or, a picnic lunch). A lightweight rain jacket, sunscreen, bug repellent, sunglasses, cap and a first aid kit are all considerations that may improve the quality of your day. Also, consider taking a camera and binoculars.

Unless they are a strong personal preference, hardcore hiking boots are not really a requirement for this hike. However, since it will be necessary to negotiate steep ledges, the footwear that is chosen should provide stability and protection for the soles of one’s feet. Hiking poles or sticks should also be a consideration. Several years ago, a hiking friend convinced me that an adjustable hiking pole would provide me with additional support and add years to my hiking life by absorbing some of the pounding that my legs would otherwise experience. I bought a Climb High hiking pole and have been hooked ever since.

The Camden Hills truly provide alternatives for all hiking enthusiasts. There are all day traverses, short nature hikes and numerous scenic coastal summits. The choices are not just limited to the Georges Highland Path, as the nearby Camden Hills State Park has a network of well-maintained mountain and nature trails. Frequently, we end a day of hiking with a round of shopping in some of the local outdoor gear stores and dinner in one of the many fine restaurants in the area. In short, this is a Mid-coast experience that is hard to beat.