A Secret Fog Forest in Maine

I couldn’t believe my eyes, moss covered rocks everywhere, lots of wild life, and beauty. I had found Crockett Cove Woods. An hour’s drive from SeaCat’s Rest, but worth the ride, this 98 acre preserve is a treasured gem.

A dense spruce and fir forest covers this sliver of land between the shore front houses and the west road to Stonington on Deer Isle. On the island’s north shore, along Eggemoggin Reach, the trees are mostly white pine mixed with oak and other hardwoods. Here, along the southwest shore, lichens and mosses thrive in the cool, moist air of this coastal fog forest. A wide variety of coniferous forest birds can also be seen here. The preserve and its trails are maintained and managed by a local volunteer stewardship committee. In 1975, Crockett Cove Woods Preserve was donated to The Nature Conservancy.
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The preserve has two parking lots, each with a short loop and then a long, wet trail connecting the two. The wet part of the trail is wet all year long, because the moss keeps the trail spongy. I’d recommend the Indian Pipe section if you just have a short time. It packs a mossy and boulder filled experience into just about 1/2 mile trail up and around a hill. The moss does absorb the sound, and makes for a very peaceful place. This place is not for the masses, as there are only two or three parking spaces at either end, but that makes it even more special for me. I like to be outside with small groups and experience the forest like it must have been 200 years ago. This place will do that for you.

For lunch or dinner you have many great choices. Right on the harbor in Stonginton, Fisherman’s Friend for the freshest seafood on the planet. Also, back a bit in Deer Isle, a wonderful small secret spot: Lily’s restaurant. They used to bake cakes for Julia Child’s birthday celebration. Also a Portugese restaurant is talked about way around at the goose cove bed and breakfast – open seasonally only though. Off island, just before the reach bridge is El El Frijoles is a California-Style taqueria located in a barn. They offer fresh and delicious Mexican cuisine in a most unusual setting (opens on May 20th) and recently I stopped at the Barncastle Hotel and Restaurant in Blue Hill, all good choices. You might have to make several trips over a few years to try all these places out.

Thanks Island Heritage Trust for helping preserve such a special place.

Where is Crockett Cove Woods?
Take 15A, the Sunset Road about three miles beyond the Sunset Post Office. Turn right on Whitman Road and then right on Fire Road 88 where you will find the preserve entrance.

Here’s a link to the map and self-guided walk. http://www.nature.org/wherewework/northamerica/states/maine/files/crockettmap.pdf

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