The new Messalonskee Stream Trail begins just a stone's throw from downtown Oakland, at a bulldozed parking lot surrounded by chain link fence. Not much to look at you might say.

But just minutes down the trail, past the old Central Maine Power facility and defunct Cascade Woolen Mill, the trail takes you into a deep dark forest of towering hemlocks, as the civilized world melts quickly away.

Trailhead in downtown Oakland.
All photos by Carey Kish

A week ago Saturday, Peter Garrett of Winslow, Executive Director of Kennebec-Messalonskee Trails and a most enthusiastic urban trails advocate, led a small but hearty group of hikers on a six-mile snowshoe tour of this the group's latest trail project.

Trip leader Peter Garrett leads the way.

The trail led along the ridge above a deep gorge before winding down to meet the stream, which had now opened up to lake-width.

The forest changed back and forth from hardwoods to softwoods as we snowshoed happily along, occasionally crossing well-constructed log bridges spanning the ravines.

On the snowshoes for the first time since ???

Crossing one of several nicely constructed wooden bridges en route.

The wind was fierce and the temps low, but it was good to be outside, as always, exploring new terrain.

Garrett stopped occasionally to huddle the group and explain some tidbit of local history or a fact or two about the land, how it was acquired, the building of the trail.

Finally, we rounded a peninsula and could peer down the stream-turned-lake, wind full-on in our faces, a beautiful winter view before us.

View from the Peninsula Loop near the far end of the trail.

On up the hill we turned down a power line and followed it to a dam at the head of Rice Rips, the turnaround point of our day’s outing.

Away from the dam and out of the wind we shared Thermos’ of hot tea and cocoa while Garrett regaled us with plans by the Kennebec-Messalonskee Trails group to build a 25-mile network of trails linking the communities of Winslow, Waterville, Oakland, Benton and Fairfield.

Atop the dam at Rice Rips.

With this new addition to the system, KMT has completed 8 miles of multiple-use trails.

I’m forever amazed at the number of trails projects that are going on around Maine, many of them in urban areas where they are sorely needed as close-to-home outlets for health, fitness, recreation and community.

Cheers to Garrett and KMT for their fine work to date and good luck as you forge ahead with your ambitious plans.

Check out the KMT trails system and come on up to take a look-see... You’ll like what you find!

Heading back through the hemlock forest.