West Ridge Trail

Dogs No Dogs

Features Fall Colors · Views

There are no facilities at the trailhead or along the trail, so make sure you have water, food, and sun protection.

To get to the trail, take ME-302, turn north on Menotomy Road (on the left when traveling from Fryeburg; right when traveling from Bridgeton). In about one mile, look for the The Nature Conservancy Preserve signs at the preserve parking area on the right. The trail enters the woods at the back of the parking lot and passes the foundation of an old home site.

The singletrack dirt trail weaves through the woods and crosses small brooks that might require rock hopping if it has been raining. The trail joins up with a road for a short distance before breaking off to the left and climbing up to a rock ledge. The trail is marked by white blazes, so keep an eye out for the trail breaking off to the right and starting to climb up the mountain as the trail can disappear at certain points.

From this point on, the trail climbs more steeply up the hillside as it works its way around the mountain. There are a couple of obstructed views as you climb up the hillside. When the trail gets to the top of the mountain, there are a couple of blazes on the ground that lead you out to a sign that marks the summit of Mount Tom at 1,040 feet.

At this viewpoint, Pleasant Mountain sits across the valley from you and great views of the area spread out before you. From here, you can turn around and follow the trail back to your car, or take the Old Mount Tom Trail down the mountain to a cemetery a couple of miles down the road. You'll either need to arrange a shuttle or hike about 2 miles along the road back to your vehicle.

Squirrels and deer can be seen in the woods around you as you hike through the woods.