The 4,300-acre Great Pond Mountain Wildlands property in East Orland, purchased by Great Pond Mountain Conservation Trust on June 30, 2005, is one of the largest acquisitions ever made by a local land trust in Maine.

The Wildlands Campaign, completed in 2007, raised $2.86 million for purchase of the property and a Stewardship Endowment. The project received a major boost in the spring of 2006 when the State’s Land for Maine’s Future Program awarded it a grant for $346,000.

Managed for wildlife habitat and low-impact recreation, the Wildlands is a place where you may see a moose while mountain biking, paddle a pristine shore, or enjoy an amazing view from more than one mountain – all within minutes of Rte. 1.

The Great Pond Mountain Wildlands is in two pieces. The Dead River Section is 875 wooded acres on the western flank of Great Pond Mountain, sweeping from the summit down to two miles of shoreline on the Dead River – the northern arm of Alamoosook Lake. Loons cry and osprey fish along this undeveloped stretch of deadwater, and beaver and otter haunt marshy Hellbottom Swamp. Access via boat launch at Craig Brook National Fish Hatchery on Alamoosook Lake; or on foot from Don Fish Trail, 0.5 mi. past the Hatchery. There are 3 miles of gravel road and hiking paths on this section, and a connector to the Great Pond Mtn. Trail.

Hothole Valley is 3,420 acres of wooded valley in between the peaks of GreatPond Mountain on the west; Oak Hill, Flag Hill and Flying Moose Mountain on the east; and Hothole Mountain, Condon Hill and Hedgehog Hill to the north. The valley is bisected by Hothole Brook, windingnorth three miles through swamps and beaver meadows to plunge into pristine Hothole Pond. Fourteen miles of gravel roads akin to Acadia’s carriage trails traverse the property; some open to vehicle trafficon summer and fall weekends; all open to horses, bicycles and foot traffic. Discover footpaths leading to spectacular views on Flag Hill’s bald summit, a rushing stream, or a quiet shore on HotholePond.

Welcome uses of the Wildlands include hiking, jogging, x-c skiing, snowshoeing, bicycling, horseback riding, fishing, hunting, photography, nature study, paddling, geocaching, swimming, picnicking and snowmobiling on designated trails. Dogs are allowed under leash only at all times; feces must be removed from trails and roads. No ATVs areallowed. No camping or fires.

Have a GPS unit? Want to find our Wildlands geocaches? Go to www.geocaching.com.

GPMCT requires that hunters register with GPMCT and familiarize themselves with our policy. Contact Jake Maier at 207 944 0032 or j.m@jmforestry.com

Questions regarding use of the Wildlands? A problem to report? Contact Property Steward Jake Maier at 207 944 0032 or j.m@jmforestry.com