Flint Mountain Wildlands
Description
Our first forever-wild preserve is located at a high point near the headwaters of the scenic Flint Brook in Albany Township. The Rapa Nui trail climbs .5 miles passing under cliffs and past stately old trees. The trail ends at Flint Mount summit with stunning views over Chalk Pond to the south.
Special Features
The Rapa Nui trail at Flint Mountain is so named for a massive stone head along the trail bearing resemblance to the great carved heads of the Rapa Nui on Easter Island. See if you can spot the head on your hike?
Abundant stone walls criss-cross the Flint Mountain Wildlands, a testament to the land use history and extensive pastures that once covered the property. Passing through the final stone wall brings visitors into an older forest, too high and too steep for early loggers to get into with horses. Gigantic sugar maples, oak, and ash rise from between boulders under the Flint Mountain cliffs.
How To Get There
From Bethel, follow ME-35/ME-5 south for 12 miles. Turn left onto ME-35S. After 0.9 miles, turn left onto Sawin Hill Road. Turn right onto Dresser School Road after 2.3 miles. The parking lot and MLT kiosk are on the left in the first 0.2 miles. Winter parking is available on the Sawin Hill roadside near the Dresser School Rd intersection.
NOTE: Dresser School Rd and Sawin Hill Road are not through roads. Do not follow Google Map directions from Hunts Corner Road.
How This Place Became Open To the Public
The Flint Mountain Wildlands started with a single 295-acre purchase by Mahoosuc Land Trust from Ken Wille. Ken, a life-long Albany resident, started the process by seeking out a Forever Wild conservation designation with Northeast Wilderness Trust (NEWT) on his own land. NEWT recommended working with Mahoosuc Land Trust, and the use of a Forever Wild Conservation Easement. Flint Mountain Wildlands will grow to include an additional 140 acres in 2026, and join neighboring MLT-conserved lands.
Flint Mountain Wildlands was purchased, in large part, with money donated to the Wildlands Fun. Inspired by and in memory of MLT board member and volunteer Ken Hotopp, the purpose of the Wildlands Fund is to acquire and designate land to be protected in its natural condition, in perpetuity, as free from human manipulation and disturbance as possible. These properties will allow minimal impact, non-mechanized recreation access such as hiking, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and canoeing. The property is owned by MLT, and held under a Forever Wild Conservation Easement with Northeast Wilderness Trust (NEWT).
