Directions: The preserve is located on Rt. 218, just 1.2 miles past the Alna Fire Station (heading north on Rt. 218). Parking is on the right next to the kiosk.
A densely wooded forest makes for cool hiking at the Bass Falls Preserve in Alna during the hot summer months. The 100-acre preserve, owned by the Sheepscot Valley Conservation Association, borders the Sheepscot River.
From the parking area, hikers follow a series of birdhouses downhill and around the perimeter of a field. Follow a narrow trail through tall grass, turning left onto a wide mowed road. Shortly, the trail turns left off the mowed path and is marked with white blazes. From the white blazed trail, a blue blazed (turquoise trail) branches off to the right and a red blazed trail to the left. All three trails join at the Sheepscot River by an old camp, forming a double loop trail.
Plan on 40-45 minutes to hike down and back, a distance of about two miles. Plan on longer to explore both the red and turquoise trails.
From the camp, the red trail branches to the left and the blue trail to the right. Both follow the Sheepscot River for about 100 yards before turning uphill. Care should be taken on hiking down to the rock streambed, as the banks are muddy and slippery, and overuse will lead to erosion.
Turn right at the camp and the turquoise trail follows the river then heads steeply uphill for about 5-10 minutes. It then follows a moss-covered ledge and levels out, before rejoining the white main trail.
A short distance down the turquoise trail there is a narrow path to the river near a large hemlock tree. At this spot there are natural rock steps down to the riverbed, which overlooks Bass Falls and a beautiful view both up and down the stream. Fish can be seen jumping against the current in this peaceful and secluded spot.
This spot on the Sheepscot is home to several rare mudplants, including Parker’s Pipewort, burr marigold and spongy arrowhead. Federally endangered wild salmon swim up the Sheepscot that runs along the property to their spawning grounds further upriver.
Be sure to bring water on this hike, as a portion of the trail is steep, especially on the trail back to the kiosk and parking area.
SVCA expanded the preserve in 2005, with the addition of 63 acres purchased from the Barth family of Alna, including 1700 feet of short frontage on the Sheepscot River. All 7500 feet of frontage from the Barth property has been put into conservation easement.
The late Dr. Joseph Barth Sr. helped organize the Sheepscot Valley Conservation Association in 1969 and was well known for his development of varieties of daylilies. Twelve of his 36 registered daylilies carry the river’s name.
