About 8 miles east of Monson (up near Moosehead) on Elliotsville Road, is the Borestone Mountain Audubon sanctuary. This is part of Maine's one hundred mile wilderness. After the bridge over Big Wilson Stream, follow the signs left. The parking area is up the hill, over the railroad tracks, and on the left.
From the gate, the Base Trail leaves the access road and heads left, through piles of shale, climbs steeply through some really nice big old trees- hemlock, spruce, aspen, maple, birch, and other magical beings. The trail is filled with interesting staircases and can be steep.
After about three quarters of a mile, the trail meets the access road and continues about a quarter of a mile to the Audubon visitors center and two small ponds. It is very spectacular to see the autumn foliage reflected in the pond.
There is a donation box at the visitor's center. There is an area that invites us to make fairy houses in the jumble of rocks and soft ground. Leah loved this area; she loved finding the little houses that many others had tucked into thick moss, nestled in the duff, and perched against trees.. She and Andrew spent a long time perfecting their beautiful little spot. We decided not to bag the peak, but to turn back at this point,; we followed the access road about a mile and a quarter down to the car. Along the access road, there is a spur trail to a lookout. This makes a nice two-ish mile loop.
For a more adventurous day, the trail continues from the pond up the side with scrambles and some nice climbs (I remember iron handholds...) and up to the beautiful open peaks in about a mile. The many mountains of the Moosehead area are visible, as are bunches of lakes and ponds. This is a particularly sweet time of year for sweeping views.
L O V E the photo of Leah! She is such a wonderful soul!
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