Author: zyadmin

The Round the Mountain Trail is a keystone project of the Round the Mountain Collaboration, a multi-year fundraising campaign led by Coastal Mountains Land Trust, with significant support from Maine Water Company, Maine Coast Heritage Trust, local municipalities, and numerous local outdoor recreation groups. The vision of the Round the Mountain Trail is a 8.5-mile, multi-use trail that circumnavigates Ragged Mountain offering access for a wide range of users and abilities. As well as permanently conserving 1,500+ acres around Mirror Lake and Grassy Pond, construction of the trail began in 2019.

OBP Trailworks, a Maine-based trail construction business, will continue work on the trail in 2021. The Land Trust is looking forward to the possibility of hosting a formal trail dedication in the summer of 2021. Fundraising for the approximately $200,000 needed to complete trail construction and secure the long-term care for the trail continues.

Directions:
Thorndike Brook Trailhead: 223 Hope Street in Hope (Google maps does not show this accurately). For the Thorndike Brook Trailhead turn onto Hope Street from Route 17 (eight miles north of Rockland) or from Gillette road. The new parking lot is just past the existing parking lot for the Georges Highland Path (¾ miles from Route 17). The new Round the Mountain Trail can be accessed directly from the parking lot, including a ¼ mile accessible, stone dust path.

Camden Snow Bowl Barnestown Road Trailhead: Park on the left side of the lot (the toboggan parking), follow the Round the Mountain Trail signs (the ~1-mile utilizes the existing Kuller Trail).

(Note: Google maps does not show this accurately).

Additional information about the trail system, including a detailed map, trail conditions reports, seasonal closures, volunteer opportunities and how one can support the effort can be found online at coastalmountains.org.

After two seasons of work, a 4.5-mile, out-and-back, section of the trail on Ragged Mountain is open for hiking, running, and biking. Access is available from the Camden Snow Bowl (See Trail Map for details).

Construction of the trail beyond 4.5 miles is ongoing. For your safety and the safety of our contractor, the trail beyond 4.5 miles is closed. PLEASE stay off this clearly marked section of trail closed 24/7.

Our contractor is working incredibly hard to finish this section of trail, expect it to open next spring.

​Please follow all trail guidelines (posted at the kiosks). Share the trail and be respectful of other users. Bikers please go slow, communicate your approach, and pass slowly. Please do not skid around corners.

​Trail conditions will necessitate closures this winter and spring. All closures will be to protect the trail from long term damage. Closures will be posted online, at all access points to the trail.

​The Round the Mountain trail connects to nearly 25 miles of existing mountain biking and hiking trails, managed by CMLT and our partners, the Camden Snow Bowl (www.camdensnowbowl.com) Midcoast New England Mountain Biking Association (www.mcnemba.com), and Georges River Land Trust (www.georgesriver.org) Please respect rules for other trails.

Every year, Coastal Mountains Land Trust recognizes volunteers, community groups, and land donors for their commitment and involvement. This year the Land Trust is thrilled to announce its selection of Midcoast Chapter of the New England Mountain Biking (McNEMBA) as one two recipients of the Connecting Nature & Community Award which honors the individual or entity that has demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to engaging the people of our community with the outdoors and the lands protected by the Land Trust.

Since 2008, the group has partnered with the Land Trust on the construction, maintenance, and promotion of a growing network of mountain biking trails near the Camden Snow Bowl. An all-volunteer organization, members have been dedicating themselves to taking care of the places that they ride, preserving open space, and educating the mountain bike community about the importance of responsible riding. McNEMBA members contribute significant volunteer trail stewardship efforts and sponsored a mile marker on the Round the Mountain Trail.

If you would like information on the organization’s activities, please email mcnembatrails@gmail.com, or join their Facebook Group “Midcoast Maine NEMBA”.