Directions: The Stetser Preserve is located off Egypt Road in Jefferson. From Rt. 194 in Newcastle turn onto Rt. 215 (South Clary Road) and drive 4.4 miles and turn left on Egypt Road.
From Rt. 126, turn onto Rt. 215 and drive 4.4 miles and turn right onto Egypt Road. A small parking area is located off Egypt Road, 1.35 miles from Rt. 215.
From the Alna end off Rt. 194 (Head Tide Road) take the Egypt Road and drive 2.55 miles and the parking area will be on the right.
The 150-acre Stetser Preserve in Jefferson is owned by the Sheepscot Valley Conservation Association (SVCA). Its official opening and dedication will be held on October 17.
The preserve property was donated to SVCA by Janet Stetser in two parcels. Stetser donated 60 acres in 2006 and an additional 90 acres in 2007.
Stetser bought the 60-acre parcel in 1967 from Roy Hayward, and he sold it to her for a low price because she was committed to protecting the property from development. At the time she transferred ownership to SVCA, Stetser said she, “was pleased to pass ownership of the property along to SVCA to assure it be kept in its wild state in perpetuity, in accordance with her wishes and those of the man (Hayward) who sold the land to her.”
The preserve is located within a 5000-acre un-fragmented tract of land that also includes the Jefferson Whitefield Wildlife Sanctuary.
“I feel very strongly that if we do not set aside property now, we will not have any later,” Stetser said in 2007 when donating the second parcel. “My hope for the future would be to see people hiking, bird watching and just enjoying the out-of-doors in this peaceful and safe location that is close to home for our local people,” Stetser added.
Stetser’s hopes were realized this summer when bog bridges and a wooden bridge were built and trails were cleared. A small parking area was recently installed, the edges of which are still soft, so care should be taken not to park too close or drive near the edges.
The preserve consists of mixed terrain ranging from steep hills over moss-covered ledges, to a small pond and wetlands with numerous bog plants. It is maintained as a sustainable forest with mixed growth of hardwood and softwood trees.
Several wetlands and the pond drain to the west side of Egypt Road into Ben Brook, which flows into the Sheepscot River.
The preserve serves as excellent wildlife habitat for a variety of animals and birds. Stetser has seen deer, moose, beaver, raccoon, fox, rabbit, fisher and many birds, including pileated, downy, and hairy woodpeckers, evening and rose breasted grosbeaks, nuthatches, mourning doves, turkeys, partridge, barred and great horned owls, and a large variety of song birds.
There is a loop trail on the preserve with a spur trail going to the pond. From the parking area, the trail starts at the large rocks, crosses a bridge and bog bridges to a wide path along an old woods road. The trail is well marked with blue and orange plastic streamers and is very easy to follow. Sturdy footwear is a must as some of the terrain over the ledges is rugged.
Cross the bridges and turn right at the start of the loop trail and head up over a fairly steep ledge. The loop trail (marked in orange) turns left off the wide woods road, but proceed straight ahead, then bear right to hike down to a picturesque little pond.
Hike back up the hill, and turn right to complete the loop. The trail turns left off a grassy trail just before a small grass clearing, and comes to a large rock outcropping on the right, covered with a variety of ferns and mosses.
Near the outcropping are two groupings of Indian Pipe. Continue on and hike between a ledge that appears to be split in two. From the top of the ledge the trail descends quickly down a slanted slope and care should be taken to maintain footing in this area.
The trail then crosses a boggy area with soft moss underfoot and returns to the beginning. Turn left, cross the bridges and return to the parking area.
Allow about 40 minutes to hike to the pond and complete the loop trail.
