Douglas Mountain: Easy hike's reward is great view

By SELENA RICKS, Portland Press Herald Writer

Copyright © 2003 Blethen Maine Newspapers Inc.

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Trail name: Douglas Mountain Nearest town: Sebago Region: Western Lakes and Mountains Length: 0.25 miles Difficulty: Advanced Beginner Elevation gain: 300 feet Other: Most parking $3. Leashed animals are welcome. There are trash barrels and a portable toilet in the parking lot, which closes at 6 p.m. For more information, call 787-8884. Directions: For the Woods Trail, take Route 113 to Douglas Hill Road then turn onto Douglas Mountain Road in Sebago. There is another trail head on Dyke Mountain Road that offers a larger parking area. To get to that trail take Route 107 in Baldwin to Douglas Hill Road to Dyke Mountain Road. Maps: Get driving directions from MapQuest. View a topo map from Maptech MapServer. Staff art

SEBAGO — During the summer, the crowds at southern Maine's sandy beaches and other seaside attractions may leave you wanting to explore the state's less-populated, pristine beauty. But unless you are experienced in outdoor adventures, a jaunt into the Maine wilderness can be intimidating.

Sure, you could drive for hours to Mount Katahdin, the state's highest peak, or Cadillac Mountain in Acadia National Park — these outstanding peaks are famous for good reason. But at the height of tourist season, don't be surprised if these summits resemble a mob scene.

Just 50 miles northwest of Portland is a smaller and less-crowded destination, Douglas Mountain in Sebago. The mountain's two trails are accessible for hikers of most abilities, and the steep hike to the top is only a quarter of a mile. A stone lookout tower at the summit offers panoramic views of the White Mountains and Sebago Lake, Portland's water supply and the second-largest lake in the state. On a clear day views can stretch from Mount Washington to the Atlantic Ocean.

The Maine chapter of the Nature Conservancy bought the 169-acre mountain in 1971 for preservation, and donated it to the town of Sebago in 1997 with the stipulation that it be kept in its natural state.

In late summer, the bushes of wild blueberries that line the trails are ripe for picking. If you're used to seeing the thumbnail-sized, cultivated blueberries at the grocery store, you may be initially disappointed to see that Maine's wild blueberries are pea-sized. But a handful of fresh-picked, wild blueberries found on Douglas Mountain tastes just as delicious, if not better, than the store-bought variety.

Stopping to pick berries also offers an opportunity to scout for wildlife, such as birds, squirrels and tree frogs. Don't forget the bug spray.

Depending on how many stops you make along the way, the trail leads directly to the summit in as little as 15 minutes. To see the panoramic view, climb about a dozen steps up the stone tower, built in 1925 by the mountain's previous owner. The edges of the tower are fenced in for added safety.

Also at the summit is a large boulder inscribed with a Latin phrase by the former owner: "Non sibi sed omnibus" — not for one, but for all.

Under the care of local stewards and volunteers, Douglas Mountain's trails are maintained for all, but its limited parking and lack of public facilities should ensure that the mountain remains unspoiled for generations.

Staff Writer Selena Ricks can be contacted at 791-6365 or at: sricks@pressherald.com