Audubon's Mast Landing Sanctuary in Maine
Serene Spot Just Minutes From the Shopping Mecca of Freeport
Sep 23, 2009
Mast Landing Sanctuary is a Maine Audubon property just minutes from frenetic downtown Freeport, the home of L.L. Bean's flagship store as well as outlets for Patagonia, Ralph Lauren, Dansk, etc.
Maine Audubon's Mast Landing Sanctuary
The Mast Landing Sanctuary is an example of the special spots that help define Maine—a network of comfortable walking paths through serene woods, away from the rushed pace of our busy world.
Mast Landing Sanctuary is open to the public, 8am till dusk, year round. And it's free of charge! There's 3.5 miles of trails, with names such as Ridge, Larch Spur, Deer Run, and Orchard. Don't bring dogs to walk—no pets allowed in the sanctuary.
To get to the sanctuary, turn off US Route 1 directly across from L.L. Bean's in Freeport onto Bow Street. Travel one mile and turn left onto Upper Mast Landing Road. Continue up the hill to the Mast Landing sanctuary sign posted on the right. Signs direct visitors to the small gravel parking lot and the trailhead kiosk.
The sanctuary encompasses about 140 acres in the head of tide area of the Harraseeket River estuary. The Harraseeket flows into Casco Bay. The property has open fields, upland ridges, mature pine/hemlock forests, alder lowlands, old apple orchard, freshwater stream, plus the estuary. In the 1800s part of the estuary was dammed as a water power source for a gristmill and sawmill; some remnants are still visible.
The British harvested mast-size trees for their sailing ships from these forests (hence the name "Mast Landing"). In fact, in Freeport's ship building heyday, the town had four shipyards. Present-day Freeport is a blending of four villages that were settled in the 1700s: Mast Landing, Porter's Landing, South Freeport, and Freeport Corner.
Wildlife Watching and More at Mast Landing
Be alert to the wildlife in the fields and along the paths: birds (woodcocks, songbirds, migrating shorebirds) and mammals (deer, porcupine, mink, fisher). The Maine Birding Trail (as well as Audubon) can help those interested in birdwatching with checklists and additional resources.
Maine Audubon, in its mission to promote environmental education and wildlife conservation, offers Mast Landing Camp. This summer camp teaches pre-teen children how to explore the outdoors and appreciate the beauty and importance of what they find. The camp has existed for over 40 years, having been established in 1965.
Another Audubon Sanctuary to Explore
Maine Audubon's Borestone Mountain in Elliotsville offers a dramatically different experience from Mast Landing. It's a 2.3 mile hike past three alpine ponds to an open summit with excellent views of pristine forests and sparkling lakes, far, far away from outlet stores.
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