Trails

Description

Amherst Mountains Community Forest is a 4,974 acre Public Lands parcel with recreation trails and ecologically important forestland surrounding six ponds in the town of Amherst. Wildlife, including peregrin falcons, brook trout, deer, bear, partridge, and wood cock, thrive here; and thousands of migratory birds arrive each spring to nest on these lands.

Secluded remote designated pond camping (2 sites), hiking, snowmobiling, and ATVing are available here. The two designated campsites each have a fire ring, picnic table and privy. The ducktail pond campsite is located at Lat 44.858632, Lon -68.399116. The Partridge Pond campsite is located at Lat 44.859174, Lon -68.400307.

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Rules

• Abandonded Property - Bureau of Parks and Lands staff may take custody of any personal property left unattended for more than 3 days (unless advanced written permission is given).
• Fires - Kindle fires only in the designated authoized campsites with fire rings. Do not cut live vegetation. Help stop the spread of forest pests, see www.maine.gov/forestpests.
• Pets - Pets in campsites must be leashed and attended; outside of campsites, pets must be under control.
• Trash - Carry out all trash.
• Fishing - All those fishing must have valid license and review the State's oppen water fishing regulations. Anglers are asked to use lead-free sinkers and jigs to prevent metal poisoning of loons, eagles and other wildlife. See www.maine.gov/ifw
• Hunting - Although hunting is allowed in season, do not discharge weapons within 300 feet of any picnic, camping, parking area, marked hiking trail or other developed area.
• Camping and Limit of Stay. - Camp only in designated authorized campsites with fire rings. Campers may not exceed a 14-day stay in a 45-day period.
• Power Equipment - Use no chainsaws, generators or other power equipment around campsites.

Consider lending a hand. Contact us if you would like to help with stewardship or maintenance work.

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Trails

Bald Bluff Trail (easy to moderate, 2-mile spur and loop): Begins and ends at the trailhead at the northwest corner of the lands off the 22-00-0 Rd. Follow the spur from the trailhead for 0.3 miles and gain of 180-ft elevation to the 1.7 mile loop. Two scenic viewpoints and the quiet, remote feel make this a rewrding hike.

Ducktail Pond Trail (moderate. 0.7 miles): Provides access to Ducktail Pond and campsite at the half-mile mark of the trail. Continue 0.25 miles past the pond, as the trail turns southward, to connect to the Partridge Pond Trail.

Halfmile Pond Trail (moderate, 0.1 miles): A short hike down to the pond overlook. Note that road to parking is closeed during mud season.

Partridge Pond Trail (moderate, 1.7 miles): Provides access to Patridge Pond and a campsite at 1.3 miles. At 0.8 miles the trail intersects the Ducktail Pond Trail. At 1.1 mile the trail forks: the right forl ends at the Partridge Pond and campsite in 0.2 miles; the left fork continues for 0.6 miles on the west side of Partridge Pond before it dead ends.

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Services and Facilities

• Trails
• See Visitor Accessibility

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