Snowshoeing by the light of the supermoon

JAY — Novice and experienced snowshoers of all ages gathered under the light of Tuesday’s supermoon to explore a wooded parcel along the Androscoggin River. The moon lit up the river and nearby fields, and peeked through the trees where the group explored. At times it shone so brightly that the headlamps and flashlights used by the group seemed unnecessary.

The occasion was a guided snowshoe hike along the 2.5-mile network of riverside trails at French Falls Recreation Area, a 29.4-acre property owned and conserved by the Androscoggin Land Trust and leased to the Town of Jay.

Alfred Dufour of the Jay Recreation Committee keeps a fire going Tuesday at French Falls Recreation Area. Snowshoers circled the fire before and after exploring the riverfront trails during a supermoon snowshoe hike hosted by Androscoggin Land Trust and the recreation committee. Franklin Journal Photo by Dee Menear

The Jay Recreation Committee has hosted full moon snowshoe walk in the past, said Jenny Easter. This year, the ALT jumped on board to co-host and nearly 75 people from the tri-town area and beyond showed up.

“We are thankful for the great relationship we have with the town and recreation committee,” said Shelley Kruszewski, ALT executive director. “They do a wonderful job of hosting events and maintaining the area. Randy and Don are amazing stewards of the land.”

Randy Easter and Don Leclerc help maintain the trails for year-round foot-traffic use. Easter, Leclerc, and Marty Thorne led the trail tours and shared their knowledgeable of the natural and historic landmarks such as sections of abandoned roads and an old dam.

“There is a sign there that explains about the dam,” said Jenny Easter. “We just can’t see it under all this snow.”

At one point, the trail opens to an overlook of French Falls. Randy Easter pointed across the river to a towering pile of rocks. He said the rocks were removed from the river long ago to make log driving easier.

“My favorite part is snowshoeing down by the river,” said Barrett “Bear” Bryant, 7 of Livermore Falls.

Snowshoers warm up by a bonfire Tuesday after exploring the riverfront trails during a supermoon snowshoe hike hosted by Androscoggin Land Trust and the recreation committee. Franklin Journal photo by Dee Menear

Snowshoers were given the opportunity to explore short sections of the trails or the entire 2.5 mile network. Bernadett Harvell of Farmington and Ruby Couturier of Livermore Falls attended the event together and explored most of the trail. Harvell said she snowshoes regularly on her property and uses only traditional wooden snowshoes.

Couturier donned a pair of aluminum-framed shoes. “I used to snowshoe a lot,” Couturier said. “I’m just getting back into it this year. I’m glad Bernadett and I did this. It’s beautiful out here.”

Devin Bryant, 10, of Livermore Falls said her family snowshoes a lot. “We’ve never snowshoed at night before,” she said. “This was our first time. It is a lot of fun.”

“We were excited to hear a lot of local people saying they didn’t know the trails were here, or knew but didn’t know they were maintained in the winter,” said Kruszewski after the hike ended. “Part of the reason we hold events like this is that it exposed people to the places they might not have been aware of before.

Bernadette Harvell of Farmington, front, and Ruby Couturier of Livermore Falls snowshoe Tuesday evening at French Falls Recreation Area in Jay. Franklin Journal photo by Dee Menear

“I am thrilled with the adventurous spirit of the people who came out to join us. I am happy we had such a clear night to enjoy the supermoon. We are hopeful people will continue to use the trails as a way to connect with the Androscoggin River and to enjoy the outdoors.”

A supermoon happens when the moon is in its fullest phase and also close to the earth in its orbit, she said. According to The Old Farmer’s Almanac, the next and final supermoon for 2019 will occur on the spring equinox, March 20.

“I was blown away by how magical it was with the moonlight and the river,” said Julia Harper, ALT associate director.

French Falls Recreation Area is located at the end of French Falls Drive. A trail map is posted at the arch entrance. Four trails loop and intersect, giving users a variety of options for hike length and difficulty. The majority of trail sections are level with very slight elevation changes. The blue-blazed trail offers more of a challenge with a steeper grade.

Founded in 1989, the trust conserves 6,000 acres of land from Jay to Durham. “Our focus is along the Androscoggin River watershed,” said Kruszewski.

Last night was the final winter event at the recreation area, she added. Future events include Earth Day celebrations and the Music in the Park summer concert series. For more information about French Falls Recreation Area and other ALT parcels, visit androscogginlandtrust.org.