The shoreline trail at Oak Point Farm is wide enough for skiers to enjoy.
March may be approaching, but we can usually count on a snow storm or two before the season wraps up for good. With the acquisition of a pickup truck and plow last summer, this winter the preserves have been more accessible than ever before. Visitors can count on eleven locations where lots are being plowed including Oak Point Farm, Gregory Trail, Porter, Ovens Mouth East and West, Zak, Cross River, Singing Meadows, Pine Tree, Lobster Cove Meadow, Ocean Point, and Penny Lake. Plowing occurs after snowfall is complete, which in some cases means the following day. Occasionally even plowed lots can become icy during repeated thawing and freezing, so be mindful of possible icy conditions when choosing where to go.
Below are some winter activities that will have you cheering on the next winter storm, along with recommended locations to make the most of the season:
Cross-country Skiing: If you love to get out on skis but don’t have all day to drive and ski, a few great locations right on the peninsula offer quick and easy outings. Oak Point Farm, Singing Meadows, and Zak Preserve have wide open fields and meadows with some gentle hills as well as wooded trails. My family has made a habit of stopping by Singing Meadows after school where my kids find the highest point and spend the afternoon making innumerable runs down the slope. Oak Point Farm’s trails are wide enough for skiers to enjoy the wooded shoreline as well as the open fields. Zak is one of BRLT’s most extensive preserve systems with acres of open fields perfect for a ski.
Ice formations at Saunders Preserve
Winter Walking: BRLT’s trails offer beautiful winter scenery that can be every bit as stunning as the views during Maine’s milder seasons. The low sun provides some truly spectacular lighting this time of year, as well as stunning winter sunrises and sunsets full of color. These are visible over the shore at Oak Point Farm and from a number of other South-facing vistas. The many remarkable ice formations, that can be found near waterways make for great exploring near tidal areas and streams at Cross River, Zak and Saunders. Pine Tree Preserve has beautiful quiet woods with a lovely pond, as does Gregory Trail. The key to enjoying a good winter walk is having the right clothing and gear. Many of our trails are easily accessible throughout the winter with a sturdy pair of boots and crampons for slick/ icy conditions. On BRLT’s many wooded trails, the trees hold much of the snowfall, making the trails easier to traverse even without specialized gear. However, after a heavy snowfall, snowshoes offer another great way to enjoy the preserves while getting some exercise.
Sledding at Oak Point Farm is magical when the base is thick enough.
Sledding: For sledding, we love the hill at Oak Point Farm just down from the cottage, but conditions need to be just right. We recommend getting over to the hillside soon after a good snowfall of at least 6 inches (or less if there is a base already present). The hill is south-facing and tends to melt quickly when the sun is shining, so timing is everything. In good conditions, sledders will enjoy a nice long run down the hillside which opens onto a large open field overlooking Hodgdon Cove. BRLT has sleds available for borrowing in the covered walkway approaching the farmhouse entrance (please return after use). Spectators can enjoy the scenery and catch all of the action from a bench placed at the top of the sled hill. The sled hill is best accessed from the parking lot at Oak Point Farm by heading right on the road that leads to the farmhouse (away from the farmhouse/ garage). Shortly beyond the parking lot visitors will see a pathway alongside a seasonal cottage on the left side of the road. This path leads to the top of the sled hill marked by a bench.
Tibbets Pond at Ocean Point Preserve is a favorite spot for ice skaters when the conditions are good.
Ice Skating: Tibbetts Pond at Ocean Point Preserve and Langaanes Pond at Oak Point Farm are some favorite local spots for ice skaters. Please keep in mind that BRLT does not monitor ice thickness and ice skaters should exercise the upmost caution when venturing onto the ice. The ice should be a minimum of 5 inches thick, and it is always safest to skate around the rim of a pond rather than the center, where ice is generally thinner. As spring approaches, the skating season for this winter may have passed, but keep it in mind next year during cold, dry stretches.
We hope these suggestions help you savor the fun and beauty of winter seasons. Happy trails!
