Happy and rocky trails to you

“Do not go where the path may lead; go instead where there is no path and leave a trail”

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Heading up the rocky trail

Now that is a huge bolder.

Nothing like seeing wildlife along the trail

A foundation from an old home

TURNER, Maine — If you are looking for a stroll in the sun at Androscoggin Riverfront Park, take a good look at the ankle-turning trails and rough terrain up ahead.

There are peaks and valleys that will make you feel like you trudging along on a Stairmaster. You will be looking down a lot until you reach walking trails with no hazards. Huge tree roots and protruding rocks are like small landmines along the narrow trails, making it easy for any careful hiker to trip and fall.

"That was a killer trail," said my wife, whose soar back and feet can attest to challenging paths throughout the snaking 12-mile trail.

A weekend ago, we headed to the new park that is still being transformed into a hiker's paradise. The trail runs around the Androscoggin River. For the moment, it is free to the public. Take advantage before the state installs a gate and demands that you pay a park fee.

Beware, though, there aren't many outhouses along the way. I found that out the hard way when I received an urgent call from nature. And the trails are barely marked, and if you miss trees that are color coded, you will be in for long haul back to your car. There are no maps, yet.

I put mother nature on hold when a fellow hiker told me there was a one-holer down the trail a might. I figured it wasn't more than a quarter of mile to find the outhouse. Well, after marching through the wilderness for at least a mile, I started scouting for a secluded place to take of business. I sent my scout, Anthony, up ahead in search of relieve, aah, I mean an outhouse. He was like cavalry marching ahead of a regiment. He moves faster than me. He has youth and sturdier legs on his side.

Just when I thought I would have to take cover in the barren bushes, Anthony found one of the cleanest outhouses I have ever seen in the wilderness. Was there an attendant on duty? Would I have to tip him or her for the use of this backwoods facility?

I sprinted toward the toilet as Anthony kept an eye for Terri. I pleaded with Mother Nature for a reprieve.  I promised to be nicer to people if I made it in time. I swung open the door and made my peace with Mother Nature.

We carefully headed back up the trail, and I was feeling like a new man again.

I have tacked on information from Maine.Gov's Website about the trails:

Trails

• 12 miles of multiple use / shared use trails
  10 miles of hiking trails (6.6 miles shared with mountain bikes)
  6.6 miles of single-track mountain bike trails (existing and planned)

Multi-Use Trail (9.5 miles one-way), a central spine down the Turner parcel, is popular among ATV users, snowmobilers, bicyclists, horseback riders, and hikers. ATVs must use the north entrance parking area for off-loading.

Homestead Trail (4.5-mile loop with a 2.6-mile option; allow 2.5 hours for full loop) provides riverside hiking form the northern parking lot to the Picnic Meadow (1.1 mi.), where you can take the "Harrington Trail" (0.5 mi) and Multi-Use Trail back to the the parking area (1.0 mi.). To extend your hike, continue south on the trail past Picnic Meadow to the juncture with the Multi-Use Trail that leads back to the main entrance (1.8 mi.).

Ridge Trail (6.85 miles) is reached by following the extended Homestead Trail to the Multi-Use Trail (2.0 mi.). Turn left, proceed over a bridge, turn right and continue up to a ledge outcrop overlooking the river (1 mi.). Turn left and descend steeply toward the river on the Ledges Trail (0.4 mi). Turn left on the Multi-Use Trail and return 2.25 miles to the Picnic Meadow, and on to the parking area via the Homestead Trail (1.1 mi.).

Deer Path Trail (8.0 miles) adds an additional loop beyond the Ledges Trail, with the Bradford Loop Trail (0.5 mi) that connects with the Deer Path Trail. At 1.5 miles, bear right at a fork and follow 0.5 mi to Multi-Use Trail. Return via the Homestead Trail (2.0 mi).

Bradford Loop Trail (12.2-mile loop) requires advanced ATV and snowmobiling riding skills. It can be accessed from the north end of the Park by following the Multi-Use Trail.

Bradford Hill Trail (variable length trips, starting with a 9.6-mile loop) offers hiking from the Conant Road entrance. Follow the Multi-Use Trail approximately 3.8 miles, turn left onto Bradford Hill Trail, then turn right on the Bradford Loop Technical Trail and follow the Multi-Use Trail back to the parking area.

Pine Loop Trail (5.7-mile round trip) from the Conant Road parking lot runs along the river. Hike along the Multi-Use Primitive Trail 1.6 miles (please see the map - this is a rough trail section), then veer right to reach the Pine Loop Trail.