Trails and Wonders of Maine Report M01

Maine Greenway Trail – Report M01: The Mackworth Island Trail 1-2 miles


Background:

Mackworth Island is located about a mile and a half north of Portland Maine in Falmouth Maine off Route 1.

Permitted uses are hiking, dog walking (on lease), cross country skiing (weather permitting) and snow shoeing (winter only).

The island was a gift to the state of Maine by former governor Percival Baxter. As the home for the state school for the deaf, there is no camping or fires permitted on the island.

The gift of this island by Percival Baxter was one of many he made to protect some of the natural wonders of the state.


Mackworth Island Trail – Report M01

The trip to Mackworth Island begins as we enter from Route One coming north from Portland, Maine. There are no large signs to the Island so we look for a small blue sign for “The Baxter School for the Deaf”. This small sign is the only indication of a clear path to the island.

We take a right onto a two lane town street lined with the familiar wood framed houses that are the standard dwelling in this part of Maine. After the last houses on the street it continues out onto a causeway with Ocean on both sides. Today is a calm day with the tide out.

The causeway is a built out from both the mainland and island sides. It is paved with blacktop and fenced in with those aluminum railings that are designed to keep cars from accidentally falling in the water should the driver miss the road. This is a common occurrence during winter weather conditions along coastal roads.

In the center of the causeway there is a wooden bridge joining the mainland portion to the island portion. This allows the waters to flow freely around the island and most likely makes the causeways safer during nasty weather.

As we thump, thump, thump our way across the wooden bridge span we get a sense of the rustic nature of the island. Back on the pavement it is smooth sailing to the island.