Hobbit Land: Vaughan's Woods

An easy amble through Vaughan Woods (AKA Hobbit Land -- generations of children of central Maine have built fairy houses in an open field in the woods). Weather was near perfect -- blue skies, cool to start, and warmer as we walked the trails of the woods. We were able to enjoy the foresightedness of the Vaughans, who donated the land to the public long ago, and built stone bridges and granite steps up and down the steeper slopes. Lunch followed at the Liberal Cup, Hallowell's microbrewery. Wonderful gathering of a group of wonderful men. 

NOTE: THIS HIKE IS IN CENTRAL MAINE.  The Vaughan Woods is a 240-acre recreation area within the grounds of the Vaughan Homestead. Designed for recreation and nature appreciation by the Vaughans in the early 1900s, classic stone bridges, picturesque waterfalls, and other windows into the past make these some of the most unique walking trails in Maine. In 1991, prior to the Homesteads incorporation as a nonprofit, then owners Diana Vaughan Gibson and her husband George, donated a conservation easement on the Woods to The Kennebec Land Trust, ensuring its protection for future generations. Today, the Homestead manages the Woods for public use and allows access from dawn to dusk for recreational activities such as trail walking, nature study, picnicking, snow shoeing and cross-country skiing. The Woods contain approximately 3 miles of trails that vary in width and degree of difficulty for walking. We will follow the Corniche Trail, Heifer Field Loop Trail which is 1.9 miles. Dogs allowed. Afterwards, we can meet at the Liberal Cup in charming downtown Hallowell (walking distance from the trail) for food and/or hot beverages.
https://vaughanhomestead.org/
https://www.theliberalcup.com/

DISCLAIMER-

As a condition of your voluntary participation in this activity you acknowledge and agree to the following: this activity involves inherent risks that can cause property damage, injury, illness, disability, and/or death to participants and/or others; you assume all risk associated with this activity; you are responsible for having the necessary knowledge, skills, abilities, clothing, and equipment to safely participate in this activity; you know and will follow the Hike Safe Responsibility Code (Home - Hike Safe); the organizer(s) of this activity are volunteers; and you release, hold harmless, and indemnify the organizer(s) and all members of this group from any and all claims for property damage, injury, illness, disability, and/or death - including those caused by negligence and/or other reasons. (In other words, you may be hiking with us but you alone are responsible for your personal safety. The host of this event is a facilitator not a guide or a trip leader).