Cross Cushing Preserve contains a beautiful 25-acre Midcoast forest with a lush, mossy understory and towering coastal pines and spruce. Rolling mist from the ocean often drifts through the trees and sunlight dapples the understory throughout the day. Come and enjoy the 1.5-mile loop through this enchanting forest. Or, across the street from the parking lot, and follow a short trail to the water to admire the tidal flats and shorebirds of Maple Juice Cove.  

Conservation History
This property was protected through the efforts of a motivated group of community members in 2010 who recognized the shrinking amount of undeveloped shorefront in the Cushing peninsula and the important woodland and water habitats. 

Trails

The trail system is made up of a 1-mile loop with a spur on the backside of the preserve that brings users down to a tidal section of the Meduncook River on an abutting private property protected with a conservation easement. The center loop of the trail goes through large pine groves, weaving through a mossy forest with elevation changes along the way. The 0.4-mile spur brings users down 150 feet to the water’s edge, utilizing switchbacks for a gentler descent. As most of this spur trail system crosses into a private landowner’s property, we remind users to please respect the land and stay on the trail marked with blue blazes. 

Across Pleasant Point Road there is a small section of the preserve with a 200-foot trail that brings users to a view point on Maple Juice Cove. 

Length: 1.75

Width: 3 feet

Surface: Packed earth

Obstacles: Rocks, roots, bog bridging, seasonally wet areas