Nahmakanta Public Reserve Lands
Another one of the treasures of Maine in the
Public Reserve system managed by the
Bureau of
Parks and Lands of the Maine Department of Conservation is
Nahmakanta.
There are two hiking trail systems in the
reserve. The Turtle Ridge Trails provide great day hikes.
The trail head is 16 miles up the Jo Mary Road (be careful and watch
for logging trucks!) off Route 11 between Milo and Millinockett.
(Lands are managed for recreation by
The North Maine
Woods.)
The trail system has two loops; we took the
Henderson Pond loop counter clockwise a beautiful early October.
The first sight was Rabbit Pond.
Continuing on through classic examples of
Acadian Forest, there were lots of reminders that Maine was once
covered by glacier.
Continuing toward to South end of the reserve,
the hike takes you to the north shore of Henderson Pond. From
here there is a spectacular view of Jo Mary Mountain over the pond.
The prize of the hike comes near the end.
After about three and half hours of leisurely hike through stunning
forest you are rewarded with a surprise.
Katahdin!
