Land Trust Spotlight #3: Rangeley Lakes Heritage Trust
Welcome to the third installment of our land trust spotlight series, showcasing the importance of these pivotal organizations for both conservation AND wilderness access (yep, hiking 😉). To learn more about the roles of land trusts in Maine, check out the first article in our series.
The subject of this article is all things Rangeley Lakes Heritage Trust. We partnered with Molly Shaw, Communications Director at RLHT, to help you discover some unique outdoor spots in the region and to explain a bit more about the org itself.
There’s no better way to introduce this terrific organization than via the below video about their current historic conservation achievement along the Magalloway River. Turn on your sound for all the feels. We get goosebumps every time we watch it! Thank you RLHT — for all you do — and for making Maine a better place.
About RLHT
Since 1991, the Rangeley Lakes Heritage Trust has been working to conserve, restore, and steward the Rangeley Lakes Region.
Based in the heart of western Maine, RLHT works to create a network of interconnected, conserved, accessible lands and waters that promote the region’s ecological, economic, and social vitality.
From hikers to hunters, paddlers to anglers, Rangeley is known for its incredible outdoor playground, acclaimed for pristine waters, high peaks, and vast wilderness. Beyond the recreational appeal, the region represents one of North America’s most ecologically significant landscapes for fish and wildlife.
Over the years, RLHT and its partners have helped conserve more than 125,000 acres—and they’re not slowing down anytime soon. Their latest project? Teaming up with The Nature Conservancy, Northeast Wilderness Trust, and the Forest Society of Maine to protect 78,000 acres in the Magalloway region (see the video above!). It’s one of the biggest conservation wins Maine has ever seen. To learn more about this newly conserved region, check out magalloway.org.
Another cornerstone of RLHT’s work is habitat restoration. This is part of a comprehensive plan pairing conservation and restoration. It includes restoring forests, reconnecting habitat for fish and wildlife, improving stream crossings, monitoring water quality, and managing invasive species.
RLHT stewards more than 45 miles of public trails (you hear that @Mainehikes followers?!) that invite everyone to get outside and explore the wonders of Rangeley. On the map attached to this section, you’ll see a collection of three RLHT favorites.
So let’s get to it — here are a few of our favorite adventures you can enjoy on RLHT’s conservation trails:
📍 Manor Drive, Rangeley
Located just a few minutes from downtown Rangeley, Hatchery Brook Preserve offers 1.2 miles of wooded trails following the Russell Cove shoreline of Rangeley Lake. The Hatchery Brook loop trail provides easy walking and three waterfront rest areas for picnicking or enjoying the beauty of Rangeley Lake. Stretches of wide bog bridging offer easy access over delicate wetland habitats. In the winter months, Hatchery Brook offers snowshoeing and Nordic skiing opportunities.
📍 Town Hall Rd, Sandy River Plantation
Cascade Stream Gorge is located off Route 4 in Sandy River Plantation. It offers an incredible 90-foot-deep gorge, providing access to a series of waterfalls and chutes.
The 1-mile trail leaves the parking area, passes under a power line, and continues into the woods along the Cascade Stream. The trail eventually connects with the Fly Rod Crosby Trail. There are several nice viewpoints of the gorge bedrock and falls along the trail, with a few wood staircases to help hikers ascend. Be cautious after rain, the rocks can be quite slippery.
📍Mingo Loop Road, Rangeley
RLHT acquired the Mingo Springs Birding Trail in 2024. At over 100 acres, this relatively short, easy trail winds through forest and meadow, offering the opportunity to see animals, like deer and many species of birds (like the Swainson’s Thrush and Boreal Chickadee pictured above). Over 90 species of migratory birds have been documented at the Mingo Springs Birding Trail. June is a special time of year at Mingo Springs—the property becomes a sea of vibrant pink and purple when lupine are in bloom.
That’s a Wrap
As always, follow the Leave No Trace principles while enjoying RLHT’s conservation trails. For more information and trail video content, follow @rangeleyheritagetrust on Instagram and visit rlht.org to show your support. If you're in the Portland area and want to learn more about RLHT's work, join them on Thursday, May 15 for a conservation happy hour at Apres Drinks - RSVP via Eventbrite!
Thanks for reading, supporting, and conserving! See you out there! 🌲 🥾 🌷
About Land Trusts in Maine
Land trusts have worked tirelessly to conserve 12% of Maine’s total land, which is double the size of state parks, national parks, and national forests combined. There are 84 land trusts in Maine. While that number continually evolves, a couple of things stay the same:
Most of the permanent conservation of these lands is made possible by generous private landowners, who selflessly entrust their beloved family land to these trusts for conservation, environmental education, and community benefits.
Members and volunteers are the driving force behind land trusts, from creating and maintaining hiking trails, to environmental research, to nature-based community programs. Their efforts, both physical and monetary, make our favorite trails possible.
