mast landing sanctuary

This is a nature sanctuary first and foremost and its spartan visitor facilities reflect that purpose. Access is by a short dirt road. Parking is on a hardpan gravel lot. Public use is free. A few picnic tables are located nearby. A trailhead box may hold trail maps or may be empty. The trails are well enough marked with painted blazes for those used to hiking in the Maine woods; they are intended for hiking, not biking. Tall plants encroach on a narrow creek-side trail but this trail and others are mowed time to time. A few rustic benches dot the trails. A caretaker's private house stands near the sanctuary's center. The stone ruins of a mill and mill dam are on a tidal inlet nearby. I like best the chance for quiet contemplation of nature here. If fearful of or allergic to poison ivy, I'd avoid walking the creek-side trail.

We were looking forward to a nice hike around the sanctuary. Unfortunately, it seems so few people visit, the trails are mostly grown over, with vines, sticker branches and poison ivy everywhere. We hike so we are not babies. This place could be really nice with a little TLC and trail maintenance.