Tuesday
Mar172009
The Edwin L. Smith Preserve
Tuesday, March 17, 2009 at 03:17PM Jim and Agnes Steele Trail:
Currently the longest trail, it is located at the beginning of the Guinea Road and has parking for 4 to 6 cars. It is the main access to over 1,300 acres of pristine wildlife habitat and along with other lands,
located in Arundel and Biddeford, makes up one of the largest un-fragmented parcels on the Southern Maine Coast. The newly expanded trail system has over ten miles of trails to explore. Much of the land was deeded to the Trust by the residents of the Town of Kennebunkport and the balance was purchased or donated by Jim and Agnes Steel. The trail will cross the highest elevation in Kennebunkport and has many large ledge outcroppings, vernal pools and rare and uncommon flora and fauna.
Reader Comments (5)
Would you please provide a link to a pdf trail map that can be printed out? thanks!
Yesterday my husband took our dog for a hike on this land. There were no maps available in the box at the trail head. After he had been on the hike for about 2 hours he called me on his cell saying he got turned around because the trails were not marked well. It was pouring rain and getting dark -- no sun to find direction. I went to the trail head and blew my horn several times, but he could not hear it. After 4 hours he finally came upon a road and followed it, coming out on the Barton Creek road almost 2 miles from the trail head. My husband is no stranger to the woods -- he taught hunter safety, he hunts in northern Maine. He was embarrassed and disgusted by the predicament he was in. It's good that he had his cell phone with him.
Along the way he had met a biker who was also lost and eventually came back to the trail head and asked me if I was waiting for a man and a dog. The biker had come out on the Cole Benson Road, saying he lost sight of markings and even the trail!!
Please provide maps at the trail head and better markings. If even an experienced hiker and a biker can get lost imagine what would happen to inexperienced people!!
My experience is quite the opposite. I was mountain biking the trails this past weekend and I have to say that they are very clearly marked with either yellow, red, blue or green tape on the trees. All the trails are also well travelled.
I believe the trail system is not to blame. Never go in the woods alone ever anywhere. I biked on these trails recently and has a great time. As avid bikers we pedalled until we had enough and then followed the trail back . Great trails marked with colored tape. A large map at the trailhead would suffice and save money from printing maps. Nice work folks.thanks
Walked for a couple of hours yesterday(10/25/12) in the Preserve with my lab. Found easily traversed trails, very well marked. I heartily commend the land trust for their work. Beautiful piece of land.