Not long ago, during one of those picture perfect weekends that we've, rather infrequently had here on the mid-coast, my faithful companion Ray and I hiked a portion of The Brooks Esker Trail.
Driving in to the trail head you realize why it was named as it is. The access road actually runs along the top of a long gravel sand bar, the esker, that was formed during a past ice age.
The land that the trail is located on is private property with the accompanying signs of private ownership, meaning locked gates. But don't be deterred, the owner of the property allows public access and your rewards will be many.
The "trail" is actually a gravel road that follows along the shoreline of Ellis Pond.
It's a lovely, shaded walk with easy footing accompanied by the sounds of an occasional loon and the fragrance of evergreens.
But be alert as this property is a working forest with evidence of that work deposited at various intervals along the trail.
There are plenty of opportunities for a thirsty and hot labrador retriever to get a drink or a quick swim.
It's roughly a 2 mile walk into Halfmoon Pond but Ray and I began to hear the sounds of wood harvesters up ahead. Deciding not to intrude on their operations we stopped at about the half way point, a small, somewhat worn torn, work bridge that spans a small brook.
On the way back to the parking area we took a small trail that shoots off from the woods road. With it's carpet of soft needles dropped by a large gnarly, weathered pine tree, the scene could be ripped from a Robert Frost poem.
In an open area we came across a small berry patch with a few blackberries still on the vine in various stages of ripening.
A lovely hike and highly recommended..
