Wildflowers are just starting to come into bloom. Finding and identifying them is fun and challenging, too. This past Saturday we were doing just that as we walked along the Bristol Recreational Trail, maintained for the town of Bristol by the Pemaquid Watershed Association.

The mile-long trail is located off Route 130 behind the elementary school. It’s about 10 miles from downtown Damariscotta, 17 miles from Wiscasset. A kiosk and sign are on the right marking the trail’s entrance. There’s a small area to pull off and park. You can also park in the school’s parking lot and walk to the trail head. Trail maps and a sign-in sheet were available at the kiosk when we visited. The path is easy to follow, blazed with small yellow markers tacked to the trees and trail signage.

From the trail head we headed northwest through a stand of pines to a stone wall. Along the way we passed large patches of wild Trout Lilies  just coming into bloom. They’re easy to identify by their yellow or white blossom that faces downwards. These were of the more common “yellow” variety. The flower gets its name because its green leaves are mottled with brown spots something like the body of a trout. We also saw lots of wild Columbine thriving here although it won’t blossom until June. There were also patches of tiny flowering Bluets.

One solitary white flower blossoming in a shaded area had us completely stumped, although we later learned it was a Wood Anemone commonly called a “nightcap.” Along the stream bed and marsh we saw a great deal of skunk cabbage. It’s easy to recognize by its rounded shape and huge bright green leaves. It gets its name from the smell it gives off.

A wooden stairway carries you down a small hill to a stream bed through a stand of older spruce trees. On one broken branch was a sizable chunk of “spruce gum.” Years ago folks headed into the Maine woods in the spring and fall and collected spruce gum that was chewed ­— like chewing gum.  

The path winds its way around a small tidal inlet where a brook was spilling over a rocky bank. Further along, the trees thinned out, offering some nice views of the Pemaquid River.

The tide was low during our visit and the black flies were out but fortunately not biting (as long as we kept moving). It’s always a good idea to occasionally stop and visually check for any ticks. We didn’t find any.

Several spots along the trail offer an excellent place for bird-watching, an activity that’s usually best just after sunrise. After we crossed a footbridge we caught sight of a great blue heron that took flight, soaring gracefully away over the harbor. The path gradually runs uphill behind the school and carries you to Route 130. You can either retrace the trail back to where it started or walk back along the road.

The trail is suitable for all ages, a great place for parents to introduce kids to the Maine outdoors, perhaps on the way to Pemaquid Beach.

The Bristol Recreational Trail is open year-round from sunrise to sunset. Dogs are permitted but must be leashed or under voice command. No fires or ATVs are permitted.

The trail is among a number of shorefront properties maintained by the Pemaquid River Watershed, a non-profit organization dedicated to conserving the natural resources of the Pemaquid peninsula. Bath Savings Institution helps sponsor the Bristol Recreational Trail.

For more information visit www.pemaquidwatershed.org.