Blog Post
See the Sites: Carrying Place Preserve
BY GUEST BLOGGER: Ben Eisinger
Located just three miles from Deer Isle Village, along the Sunshine Road, Carrying Place Preserve is among the newest ones officially opened to the public by the Island Heritage Trust (IHT). It’s a mid-sized preserve, quiet, and scenic; perfect for an invigorating walk or exploration at any time of the day. This preserve is partly situated on Bray’s Mountain, one of the highest points on Deer Isle so the trails here offer hikers the chance to quickly move from tidal flats to points of higher elevation. Wildlife abounds and there’s a raft (plural for a group of otters) that’s dwelled on this piece of land for generations. In the fall their pups may be seen swimming outside of the den on occasion, rolling about in the seaweed and frolicking along the shore.
Across the water from the 1.5 miles of wooded trails of the Carrying Place, you will spy Whig Island, which is also under the oversight of IHT. While there are no trails on Whig, Kayakers are welcome to land for daytime visits when the tide is right. The island offers another good place to be on the lookout for otters and is also a good spot to be on the lookout for Great Blue Herons. These striking birds rest and look for food on and around Whig during the summer months. Finally, Whig is home to a shell midden, evidence of the Indigenous peoples who used this area as a canoe route starting roughly 3,000 years ago.
The preserve and island both offer beautiful views on a sunny day but are also wonderful to visit on overcast or rainy ones. The Carrying Place trails are clearly marked, and there is no risk of getting lost in the woods out here! Highly recommend visiting at least once when you’re in the area.
Ben Eisinger is part of the waterfront staff at Osprey’s Echo Sea Kayaking.
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