Exposed brick(yard): Exploring Brickyard Point with Portland Trails

Portland is a city. A small one, to be sure, but with the same urban appeal (or better) than it's oversized cousins to the south and west.

But mixed in with the 14-story skyscrapers and citified streets are a system of scenic (and functional) trails through nature. Nature! In the city!

For nearly two decades, Portland Trails has been acquiring land and carving trails amidst Greater Portland's continuous development. The Back Cove Trail, Eastern Prom Trail and the Fort Allen Park Trail (which my colleague Avery recently wrote about) are a few well-known - and well-used - examples of the nonprofit's efforts.

But there are a few less-traveled trails. Trails that you may not even know existed. Trails that almost feel like secrets.

It's not that the folks don't want you to know about places like Brickyard Point. But unless you're an avid trail seeker, or you spend inordinate amounts of time hanging along the roadside of 295, the 14-acre Brickyard parcel might have escaped your notice.

But thanks to Portland Trails' Discovery Treks Series, a dozen of us curious trailers had an in-person look-see at the property.

The added bonus: a brief boat ride up the Presumpscot River.

Brickyard, you see, isn't easily accessible by land. So the Maine Island Trail Association was kind enough to ferry over two boat-loads of Brickyard adventurers.

The trail along the southern shore peaks out to the water. But careful, the path is narrow and steep, making it ideal "fall down" walking if you're not watching your feet.

But should you be so inclined to peer through the stretched branches of a trail tree (stop walking first - remember the "fall down" thing), you can see civilization in the distance.

On the western side, the buzz of over-excited mosquitoes gets interrupted by the regular whoosh, whoosh of highway traffic. It's almost a surprise to come upon I-295 in a place that feels so geographically remote. But then you remember, this isn't back woods Maine. It's Falmouth.

The trail partners with 295 only briefly, then back to the high grasses, wild flowers and tree congregations. And sometimes a break in the crowd allows for a glimpse over to Skitterygusset Creek.

Tour guide and Portland Trails member (and former PT president) Roger Berle led the entire tour, giving insight to the property's acquisition five years ago and the efforts to connect the Brickyard Trail to the Tidewater Farm Trail. A bridge over the Skitteryguesset will eventually enable trailgoers to go from Brickyard Point to Tidewater Farm to Maine Audubon's Gilsland Farm Nature Center.

And while it's true that "you can't get there from here" very easily now, Portland Trails efforts will remedy that in no time.

Find existing trails in Greater Portland on www.trails.com

Brickyard Point map and details