'Trek for Trails’ supports outdoor recreation in Lakes Region this September

Do you enjoy spending time outside in the Lakes Region? Have you ever hiked Pleasant Mountain, Bald Pate Mountain or Pismire Mountain? Maybe you've enjoyed the sunset from the top of Hacker's Hill or a stroll on the accessible trail at Peabody-Fitch Woods. The one thing these places have in common is that they are owned and managed by Loon Echo Land Trust, which means that public access to these Lake Region gems is guaranteed forever.

And now, with access to the outdoors more important than ever, you can give back to these trails and special places by participating in the 2022 Trek for the Trails, presented by Norway Savings Bank. The Trek is LELT’s largest annual fundraising event and 100 percent of the $20 registration fee helps maintain the trails you know and love, the ones you have yet to discover, and helps build new trails.

To participate in the Trek, all you have to do is register, and then visit any LELT trail or preserve throughout the month of September to hike, walk, bike (on trails where biking is permitted) or take in the view. Trail runners can compete for the best time via Strava segment on three trail running routes – one on Pleasant Mountain, Bald Pate, and at Raymond Community Forest to compete for pie (and bragging rights). Trekkers can also choose to raise money from friends and family to support their Trek & LELT trails. 

All Trek participants are invited to a celebration on Friday, Sept. 30 and will automatically be entered into a raffle for prizes from local businesses, including a 2022-2023 season pass to Shawnee Peak Ski Area, gift cards from Bridgton Books, a two-night stay at Pleasant Mountain Camping, and more. 

The Trek begins on Sept. 1 and runs through Sept. 30. Registration is $20/adult, and the Trek is free for students ages 16 and under. Registration can be done online at LELT.org/trek or by mailing a check to LELT (memo: Trek) at 8 Depot St, Suite 4 Bridgton, ME 04009. Participants may register up until Friday, Sept. 30.

Funds raised from the Trek help Loon Echo steward more than 8,500 acres of land and 30-plus miles of trail in the Lake Region. LELT’s goal this year is to raise $15,000 – a quarter of the annual cost to maintain LELT’s trails and preserves, all of which are available to the public year-round and free of charge.

The 2022 Trek for the Trails is generously sponsored by Norway Savings Bank, Chalmers Insurance Co, Hancock Lumber, Shawnee Peak, Minuteman Press, Squeaky Clean Laundromat, Jones & Matthews P.A., Clement Bros Landscaping, The Good Life Market, and many other local businesses in the Lakes Region of Maine.

Loon Echo Land Trust (LELT) is a community supported, non-profit land trust that works to protect the land and natural resources of the northern Sebago Lake region for future generations. For more information on LELT preserves, upcoming events, or how to get involved, visit lelt.org or the Loon Echo Land Trust Facebook page. <