Sanders Hill Trail
| Location: | Watson Pond Road Rome, ME |
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| Website: | Website |
| Clients: | Distance: 2.8 miles round-trip Trailhead: Park in the small parking area on the west side of Watson Pond Road 1.3 miles south of its junction with Route 27 in Rome. Disclaimer: Because trails and conditions change and a map or trail description cannot describe every feature, the Belgrade Regional Conservation Alliance (BRCA) cannot accept responsibility for trail conditions or for trail information. BRCA does not accept liability or legal responsibility for any injuries, damage or losses caused by using our maps or trail descriptions. Trail Designations: Paths designated as hiking trails are suitable for foot traffic only. Unimproved trails vary in condition, but some are suitable for cross-country skiing, mountain biking, and snowmobiling. |
| Services: | Description: The Sanders Hill Trail was the second trail added to the Kennebec Highlands. The trail is a loop and can be hiked in either direction. The counterclockwise direction is described here. The trail leaves from the north side of the parking lot and briefly parallels an old logging road. It winds westerly and at 0.2 miles has nice views from the south end of Watson Pond. Crossing the inflow for Watson Pond, the trail briefly follows what was a logging road, then narrows and begins climbing moderately to the west. Eventually the trail turns right (north) and follows the ridgeline through a rock field, where there are views to the east of Watson Pond, Mt. Phillip, and French Mountain. The trail cuts directly through and over some large granite slabs at 0.9 miles and continues on to a sparsely wooded area with views to the east and south through the trees at 1.1 miles. The trail continues northwest over the 854' summit of Sanders Hill, descending to join the Kennebec Highlands Trail at 1.3 miles. Turn left (south) and follow this broad gravel trail to a bridge over upper Beaver Brook at 2 miles. Just before the bridge, turn left (east) back into the woods along the brook. The trail opens up into a logging road, which leads north and east back to the parking lot. |
