Access Improvement Plan- Phase I

On December 17, 2002 the Land for Maine's Future Board (LMFB) approved a grant of approximately $66,000 to the Belgrade Regional Conservation Alliance (BRCA) for Phase I of an Access Improvement plan, to be carried out during spring and summer of 2003. The application detailed the following planned activities:

Project 1- Round Top Trail

• Construct a five-car trailhead parking area at the intersection of the Wildflower Estates Road and the Watson Pond Road, on the eastern edge of the Kennebec Highlands (30'x50'x18" gravel pad, rough grade, two hours excavator).
• Improve the Round Top Trail (approximately 2.1 miles long) by further clearing, trail-marking, stone step construction, providing drainage, etc. from the Watson Pond Road trailhead to the summit of Round Top Mountain and then down to the Snowmobile Trail, utilizing a Maine Conservation Corps crew for two 8-week periods @ $2300/week.

Project 2- Sanders Hill Loop Trail

• Provide a three-car trailhead parking area at the intersection of the Sanders Loop Trail and the Watson Pond Road by reducing the presently available space with vehicle barriers to prevent further encroachment and rubbish disposal on the trail itself. (30’x50’x16" gravel pad, stone barrier around perimeter. Four hours excavator, two hours bulldozer)
• Improve the Sanders Hill Loop Trail (approximately 2.5 miles) with additional clearing and trail-marking as necessary, utilizing a Maine Conservation Corps crew for one 8-week period @ $2300/week.

Project 3- McIntire Pond

• Construct a resource protection barrier to motorized vehicles at the intersection of the Kennebec Highlands Trail and the McIntire Pond Trail. Also construct water bars and ditching as necessary.

Project 4- Boody Pond

• Provide a resource protection barrier to motorized vehicles at the intersection of the Kennebec Highlands Trail and the York Hill Road extension. Also construct water bars and ditching as necessary.
• Hand-work for water bar constructuion — two days MCC trail crew.

Project 5- Removal of illegally dumped material

• Sanders Hill Trailhead: two washing machines, one couch, one chair, approximately two tons of miscellaneous metal and refuse.
• Beaver Brook drainage: ±60 rubber tires, one couch, one gas tank, car parts and approximately two tons of metal and refuse.
• Dolley Property: Abandoned truck and bulldozer.
• Three refrigerators (Certified service technician removal).
• Car & trailer from the Vienna Mountain trailhead area.

Project 6- Dolley Property

• Regroup rocks at Dolley road entrance on the Watson Pond Road and construct and install "road plug" to BPL standards.

Project 7- Securing "Saddle Camp"

• The "Saddle Camp" is an unused but well-constructed cabin on the edge of a viewshed in the northeast "saddle" between McGaffey and Round Top Mountains. Though beginning to suffer from casual vandalism, it has future potential for summer staff housing or seasonal income production. Installation of a "road plug" and minimal building security measures in the near future will — together with periodic visitation by staff — contribute significantly to its preservation.

Project 8- Trail Signs

• Construct appropriate permanent trail signs and/or markings for planned trails.
• Construct permanent, all-weather site map displays at primary trail access points and/or parking areas.