50 State Challenge - Maine

When you think of Maine you probably think of the famous Maine lobster, rocky coastline, and beautiful mountains. When you think of Maine, I can promise that you would never think of a desert.

THE DESERT OF MAINE

Locate in Freeport, Maine is New England's one and only desert.  The Desert of Maine is 40 acres of exposed glacial silt (which is a sand-like substance, but much finer than sand) surrounded by a pine tree forest. 

Background Info:

The Desert of Maine came to be when the Tuttle family purchased it and began farming in 1797.  A poorly run farm combine with land clearance and overgrazing by sheep led to soil erosion. The soil erosion then led to the land exposing a dune of glacial silt that gradually spread and took over the farm land. In 1919, Henry Goldrup purchased the land from the Tuttles and converted it to the tourist attraction it is today.

Visiting The Desert:

As of right now (3/5/14) the desert is closed to the public but will be opened from May 6th - October 14th. The admission rates are broken down to into three categories. Adults have to pay $10.50, teens (13-17) pay $7.75 and kids pay $6.75. 

There are 30 minute tour rides starting at 9 am and the last one leaves at around 4:30 pm. The Desert of Maine also offers walking trails and marked nature trails and kids 12 and under can do a FREE gemstone hunt! A new butterfly room has been added and it comes included with the cost of entry. There is enough fun things to do here that it will keep the kids entertained for hours. 

Deserts Dunes of Maine Campground is set in the pine forest adjacent to the actual desert.  Campers receive a pass to explore the nature/walking trails, the Desert, the 1790s Tuttle Barn and its museum.  The 2014 Camping Rates can be found HERE 

95 Desert Rd. Freeport, ME 04032

Phone #: 207.865.6962

Email: info@desertofmaine.com

Traveling the A.T.

The West coast has the PCT (Pacific Crest Trail) and the East coast has the A. T.  (Appalachian Trail). The Appalachian Trail is about 2,200 miles long and goes through 14 states. It ranges from Springer Mountain in Georgia to Mount Katahdin in Maine.

 

Some adventurers, know as "thru-hikers" try their hand at hiking the entire trail in a single season. I've only done trails in Massachusetts but would love to hike the Appalachian Trail in it's entirely. I've heard that the best way to hike the whole trail, is to start in Georgia and work your way up to Maine in the fall for the changing of the leaves. It's an absolutely beautiful hike and I can't wait to do it. 

The Appalachian Trail has more than 250 shelters and campsites that are available to hikers. The shelters and campsites are mostly maintained by local volunteers and the shelters are in great condition. I remember watching a program about the trail on Discovery Channel and they talked about how friendly the locals are. 

The trail crosses numerous roads, which give the hikers a chance to hitchhike into a near by "trail town". The trail towns are use to seeing hikers, so there are a lot of accommodations specifically geared to those hiking the trail. Trail towns are where the hikers get to see the generosity of the locals. Locals almost always provided food, a hot meal, or shelter for hikers. 

Scenic lookout from the trail in Massachusetts

The Appalachian Trail has increased in popularity over the years and it can get crowed at times. You will run into a lot of fellow hikers, so if you are looking for a more secluded trail this is not the one for you. I'm hoping within 2 years I'll be hiking the entire trail, and you bet your ass I'll write about it!

If you have ever hike the Appalachian Trail in its entirely don't be afraid to share your story with me. I would love to hear some personal stories. 

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