2024 Summer Trail Challenge

July 1 - August 31 (8pm)

DIscover New Adventures Close to home

Explore the trail network, enjoy views of the White Mountains AND LITTLE DUCK Pond, come across A GLACIAL ERratic, A CAVE, and more. 

Congratulations to our 2024 Trail Challenge Finishers!

The Challenge:

We’re so excited to announce that the second annual Summer Trail Challenge, the challenge will be from July 1st - August 31st at the Land Trust’s largest combined conserved region of East Windham Conservation Area and Lowell Preserve in Windham, totaling around 900 acres. This challenge is free and intended for all ages and hiking experience levels. The challenge is to locate and photograph six landmarks within the Lowell Preserve and East Windham Conservation Area. This is a multi-use trail system and a great challenge to explore by mountain biking, hiking, or trail running! Explore this expansive trail system, which treats hikers and bikers to breathtaking views of the White Mountains, Little Duck Pond, and lush forested landscapes. Along the way, discover the different trail challenge landmarks, like a glacial erratic, a cave, a panoramic view of the White Mountains and more. 

TWO LEVELS: There will be two levels of completion for this year’s challenge, participants who locate and photograph at least three landmarks will receive a co-branded water bottle, while those who locate and photograph all six will receive a co-branded trail challenge water bottle, and a Presumpscot Regional Land Trust (PRLT) branded hat with PRLT’s new logo. All participants will receive a co-branded sticker. 

CHALLENGE: Visit and photograph three or six landmarks within the East Windham Conservation Area and Lowell Preserve Trail Network:

1) Landmark: White Mountains Overlook | Accessible by wide path/dirt road
2) Landmark: Little Duck Pond Overlook | Accessible by wide path/dirt road
3) Landmark: White Mountain Range Panorama | Accessible by wide path/dirt road
4) Landmark: McIntosh Brook | Accessible by wide path/dirt road
5) Landmark: Glacial Erratic
6) Landmark: Hidden Cave

PRIZE: The Trail Challenge is sponsored by REI Co-op. All participants who visit the three landmarks and complete the challenge by August 31st will receive a co-branded water bottle, while those who locate and photograph all six will receive a co-branded trail challenge water bottle, and a Presumpscot Regional Land Trust (PRLT) branded hat with PRLT’s new logo. All participants will receive a co-branded sticker. 

ACCESSIBILITY: The trail system terrain is hilly with a mix of wooded paths with uneven terrain as well as wide gravel roads with a more consistent terrain. Landmarks #1, #2, and #3 are on a more accessible trail that is a wide path dirt road with a mostly level surface and more jogger stroller-friendly, however, these trails are still very steep. The trail is hilly to get to these landmarks. Landmark 2, the trail is mostly wide and flat down to this overlook, however, as you approach the pond the terrain can become a little more uneven. 

The Trail Challenge is now closed.

See the trail challenge destinations in the map below:

2023 Trail Challenge Participants