Carlton Pond is a 223-acre jewel in the southeastern corner of Readfield, a scant mile from the Manchester line. The Greater Augusta Utility District owns the pristine pond and 730 surrounding acres to protect water quality in the Kennebec River watershed and as a reserve drinking water supply. A couple of foot trails maintained by local folks offer access to the hiking public for exploring this beautiful section of town.
On a cold but sunny morning several months ago, I shouldered my pack at the Route 17 trailhead and headed in, passing the metal gate and sauntering down the forest road, which also serves as a snowmobile trail in wintertime. Veering off to the right, I meandered alone along the pond’s undeveloped shoreline, enjoying the tall pines and the wild feel of the place. Several pleasant miles and a joyful hour later, my loop walk was complete.
The hike at Carlton Pond was among several recommended to me by Rob Peale, the chair of the Readfield Trails Committee, a volunteer for more than a decade and a Readfield resident for over 35 years. The committee was established back in 2006, and its members devote anywhere from 150 to 300 hours annually to working on the more than 10 miles of trails in town, in collaboration with the Readfield Conservation Commission.
“We’re 100 percent volunteer-based and outside all the time maintaining existing trails. We’re always looking to develop more trails, too, to connect trails around town, the neighborhoods and the open spaces, to create more opportunities for people to recreate year-round,” said Peale. “We’re also trying to meet the growing demand for accessible trails for those persons with wheelchairs, baby carriers and mobility issues.”
The Readfield Trails Committee shares maintenance duties with the Conservation Commission; the latter is responsible for the Readfield Town Forest and the Torsey Lake/Echo Lake trails, while the committee takes care of the rest of the 10-mile total. In addition, the Kennebec Land Trust has 10 miles of trails in town, bringing the tally to some 20 miles overall, not only for hiking, but for skiing and snowshoeing as well.
Torsey Lake was high on my to-do list, so I continued on through beautiful Readfield. Incorporated in 1791, the town encompasses 31 square miles of rolling terrain and nine lovely lakes and ponds, including Maranacook Lake, the scenic heart of this village of 2,600 denizens. Hilltop vistas along the highway extend to Maine’s western mountains and beyond, to Mount Washington and the high peaks across the New Hampshire state line.
The round trip into the southern end of Torsey Lake is but 1.5 miles, but the short walk yields a fine view from the wildlife blind on the boggy western shoreline. The lake covers 770 acres and spans the town lines of Mount Vernon and Readfield. Originally named Greeley Pond, the lake was renamed for Dr. Henry Torsey, a former headmaster at the prestigious Kents Hill School just down the road.
My Readfield tour-du-hike was a classic case of “so much to do, so little time.” The early afternoon sun cast long shadows by the time I reached Rosmarin−Saunders Family Forest. Along the upper portion of the Beaver Trail, I was rewarded with sightings of two beaver lodges out amid the ice of the shallow pond, plus plenty of freshly gnawed red maple trunks, the sure handiwork of Castor canadensis.
The Fairgrounds Trail is the core of the Readfield Trails system. Sandwiched by the Readfield Corner Cemetery and Maranacook Lake, this 1.5-mile web of accessible crushed-gravel paths was a most excellent way to complete my day at the golden hour. History displays at the Church Road entrance were a nice bonus.
“Readfield is a really special place,” said Peale. “It’s a fine place to raise kids. Good schools. Lots of outdoor activities. Plenty of people interested in volunteering. Lots of woods and trails right out my back door where I can go for miles.”
Make a trip to Readfield, take a good look-see around for yourself, and you’ll no doubt discover what Peale and many others find so wonderful about the town. Start your adventure with a visit to www.readfieldmaine.gov to get a copy of “Walking Trails in Readfield, Maine.”
Carey Kish of Mount Desert Island is a Triple Crown hiker, freelance writer and author of three hiking guides. Connect with Carey on Facebook and Instagram and at [email protected].
