Just a five-minute drive from Bass Falls Preserve on Route 218 in Alna is the 126-acre Trout Brook Preserve also open to hiking, fishing and hunting. 

The Sheepscot Valley Conservation Association maintains both of the preserves. In January, SVCA merged with Damariscotta Lake Watershed Association, Hidden Valley Nature Center and Sheepscot Wellspring Land Alliance to become Midcoast Conservancy. Midcoast Conservancy is based in the former CEI building on Water Street, Wiscasset.

The Trout Brook Preserve is located off Route 218 just past the Alna Store on the left. SVCA asks all visitors to sign their guest book. Be sure to include the date. SVCA, a non-profit organization, relies on grants and private donations, and donors want to know how many people are enjoying their preserves. The kiosk and trail system is sponsored in part through a generous donation given by Carleton Realty - Roy Farmer Associates. (Ames True Value sponsors the Bass Falls Preserve.)

From Wiscasset you can take either Route 218 (Federal Street) or West Alna Road to Trout Brook Preserve. On West Alna Road from the Wiscasset General Store near the junction of Fowle Hill Road head north. You’ll pass Wiscasset Speedway along the way. At the Route 218 junction in Alna bear right, just down the road on the right you’ll see the turnout for the preserve. It’s just before you cross the concrete bridge spanning Trout Brook.

The trail system consists of two loops, the blue blazed one .6-mile and the red one 1.1 mile. Both start and end on the right-of-way of the onetime Wiscasset, Waterville & Farmington Railroad that operated from 1894 until 1933. It runs due south into the preserve. On the trek in you’ll see a number of gnarled apple trees, the remains of a small orchard. Many of these trees look to be second-generation growth but a few of the originals are still standing.

Along the brook there were still some large cakes of ice, although the brook itself was clear. I noticed beaver tracks on the shore and saw several small beaver stumps. The old narrow gauge right-of-way ends abruptly at the brook where a small wooden trestle once stood, nothing now remains of it.  Here the trail (blue) turns abruptly to the right and runs sharply uphill. It’s steep but the climb is much easier by the addition of wooden steps anchored to the ground. At the top the trail levels and leads through a mucky area identified on the map as “Trout Lilly Glade.”

There were plenty of muddy places along the trail. Don’t complain. This time last year there was still close to two feet of snow on the ground! The blue trail comes to a divide at the “Big Ash Tree” splitting off into the red trail that’s identified as the “Hoffman Trail.” It was dedicated by SVCA to Maureen and Paul Hoffman in Oct. 2012 for their effort at establishing public preserves throughout the Sheepscot River Valley.

I came across just a few patches of snow remaining in the shady areas. On one, I discovered a true sign of spring, a newly hatched swarm of tiny “snow fleas” hopping around by the millions. I also caught sight of a few wild crocuses in bloom.

It was on the red trail I caught up with an elderly couple visiting the preserve from South Bristol. They had wisely carried along walking sticks that came in handy in the muddier areas. They told me they were in their 80s, which proves as I have said many times hiking is an activity for all ages.

The red trail runs along the brook a ways over some hilly terrain across several sturdy timber bridges. Eventually it wound its way upwards to a place identified on the map as the “Hemlock Heights Overlook.” Through the towering trees you could see the brook winding its way westward. At this point the sun broke through the clouds making it a picture perfect scene. This hike just kept getting better and better as the morning drifted into the afternoon. Continuing on, the red trail loops back northwards through the woods linking up again with the blue trail carrying you back to the parking area.

As to the degree of difficulty, call it moderate if you intend to do the whole preserve in one visit. I spent about 90 minutes here on March 9 when the mercury hit 60 degrees! Both trails are well-blazed and include numbered wooden pylons along the way to mark the distance.

Visitors are welcome to enjoy the Bass Falls Preserve from dawn to dusk. Fires are prohibited. Dogs are allowed but should be under the control of their owners. As always remember to carry along a compass, GPS and cell phone. Until the drier weather arrives expect the trails to be muddy so wear appropriate footwear.

To learn more about SVCA and Midcoast Conservancy visit www.sheepscot.org where you can download trail maps for this and other SVCA preserves.