undertaken by the Maine Conservation Corps from 20072009. The MCC, with assistance from BPL staff, installed
stone steps, a wooden footbridge, switchbacks, water bars
and opened up scenic vistas. For the stouthearted the
former fire tower provides expansive views of the region.
In addition to the Deboullie Pond trail loop the recently
completed Black Mtn. trail loop offer hikers long distance
(5-9 miles) options. Both loop trails have scenic vistas
offering panoramic views of the Unit. “Ice caves” (narrow,
shaded crevices where snow and ice can remain year-round)
can be found on both loops. The trailhead for the tower trail
and the two loops is located at the east end of Deboullie
Pond. There is also a trail from Denny Pond that connects
to the Deboullie Pond trail loop and to the Gardner Pond
trail. Several short trails provide access to ponds and to
Red River Falls. During the winter months the public
access road provides a connector trail between the ITS
snowmobile trails in Portage and the ITS snowmobile
trails in Allagash.
In 2000 a 7,253-acre Ecological Reserve was
designated on the Unit, an area that encompasses the
shorelines and waters of 11 ponds. These ecosystems will
remain in their natural condition and be monitored
periodically to document changes. Maine’s only population
of Arctic Sandwort (Minuartia rubella) is found on the
talus slopes within the Ecological Reserve. Other rare
plants found on the Unit include fragrant cliff wood-fern,
few-flowered spikerush, alpine rush, northern slender
pondweed, northern woodsia and smooth woodsia.
93% of the Unit is forested, with 33% in softwood,
42% in mixedwood and 25% in hardwood. The Bureau
of Parks and Lands manages the public lands to achieve
multiple benefits – public recreation, wildlife habitats and
timber sales (revenues help fund land management). BPL’s
forest practices are green-certified by two independent
auditors, the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and the
Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI).
The Northern Region office is located in Ashland at
the Department of Conservation Headquarters, telephone
number 207 435-7963.