Local Natural Wonders - Day 46

Photo: mainetrailfinder.com

Local Natural Wonders Day 46 - Ovens Mouth Preserve in Edgecomb, ME

This 146-acre preserve is bordered by tidal waters, salt marsh, and coves and offers over 5 miles of various level hiking trails on two peninsulas, connected by a 93-foot footbridge. “Ice House Cove” is located on the Boothbay side of the preserve. In 1880 the demand for ice was growing, and so this cove was damned to form a fresh water pond. An ice house was built and ice was shipped to Boston and New York by schooner. Today, when standing on the bridge that connects the two peninsulas of the preserve, you can see what’s left of the dam. A salt marsh now exists where the ice pond once was.

From Boothbay Region Land Trust: “Ovens Mouth Preserve is comprised of two distinct peninsulas connected by a pedestrian bridge. This preserve features BRLT’s most extensive trail system with over 5 miles of hiking trails in total. Both the East and West sections of Ovens Mouth are heavily wooded and feature partial water frontage and shoreline trails, quiet coves, and salt marsh, as well as stunning areas for picnicking, nature studies and watching the dramatic tidal change of the Ovens Mouth passage.”

Directions for Ovens Mouth East: From the roundabout at Boothbay Center, travel north on Route 27 for 1.6 miles. Take a left onto Adams Pond Road. Proceed .1 miles. Turn right onto Dover Road. Continue 1.9 miles and bear right onto Dover Ext.  Parking is on the left at the end.

Directions for Ovens Mouth West: See Ovens Mouth East but go only 1.9 miles on Dover Road and bear left onto Dover Cross Road. The parking lot is 0.2 mile on the right.