Mount Tire'm and Hawk Mountain

Mount Tire’m, Waterford

Difficulty: Easy

Description: When you arrive in the village of Waterford just past Keoka Lake, turn left onto Plummer Hill Road. The trailhead begins on the left just a hundred yards past the Wilkins Community House. You may have to park on the shoulder of the road. The official name of the trail is Daniel Brown as can be seen by a marker (but Tire’m is well suited if you walk briskly up the initial ascend). This short walk through the woods begins with a steep incline but levels off to a slow ascent to granite ledges from which one can view farms and fields as well as Bear Pond, Long Lake and neighboring peaks. On a clear day you may catch a glimpse of Sebago Lake.
This easy scenic jaunt would combine well with a Fall visit during apple season to the orchard at the crest of the hill on Plummer Hill Road. Ask for the Apple Doc at the Mt. Tire’m Cider Mill. If all goes well they’ll be pressing cider Saturday afternoons (September thru November) starting at 1:00 p.m. See http://www.theappledoc.com/

Directions:
278 WHITES BRIDGE RD, STANDISH going toward WESTERLEA WAY go 2.9 mi
Turn LEFT on US-302 go 12.3 mi
Turn RIGHT on ME-35 go 16.7 mi
Continue on WATERFORD RD(ME-37) go <>

Note: If apple cider and apple sauce and apple juice from the orchard makes your stomach sour, you are not too far from Melby’s Market on Route 35/Valley Road in North Waterford—the home of the Buffalo Burger (five ounces of pure-grass-fed bison served up with homemade onion rings and a bottle of Moxie while your at it!). Oh, and by the way you are only a few short miles from that locally famous yet internatioal road sign at the intersection of Routes 35 and 5. Or if that is a little too far on the wild side of the dietary spectrum, you can double back from the orchard and recline your gentile soul at the Lake House Restaurant in the heart of the Village of Waterford (reservations si vous plait).


Hawk Mountain, Waterford

Difficulty: Easy

Description: The walk up Hawk Mountain is an easy .5 mile ascent on a broad rocky trail that only recently restricted horse, ATV and Jeep traffic. The trailhead is obvious though unmarked and there is a small parking lot on the left side of the road. At the top there is an outcropping of granite that provides a view of the northern portion of Long Lake and more immediately Crystal Lake as well as Bear Pond--to the west of course one sees Mount Washington.
This would be a good spot to visit when the foliage is bright (but I suspect you will be joined by many others) or it might be enjoyed in combination with other stops in and around the friendly town of Harrison; for example, if it is hot then a dip into Crystal Lake or an ice cream across from the Long Lake park; if it is Summer then consider taking in a show at Deertrees Theatre (http://www.deertreestheatre.org/).

Directions:
278 WHITES BRIDGE RD, STANDISH going toward WESTERLEA WAY go 2.9 mi
Turn LEFT on US-302 go 12.3 mi
Turn RIGHT on ME-35 go 15.6 mi
Turn RIGHT on MILL HILL RD go 0.6 mi
Turn RIGHT on HAWK MOUNTAIN RD go 0.6 mi
Arrive at HAWK MOUNTAIN RD, WATERFORD