River Elf Trail

The 150-acre Willow Farm abuts the inactive St. Lawrence and Atlantic (state-owned) railroad. Just northwest of this conservation easement is a 239-acre private farm on Morgan Hill conserved by Maine Farmland Trust in 2023, and RRCT's 67-acre Little Meadow Preserve, also conserved in 2023.

River Elf Trail: The 2-mile lollipop loop trail begins at 400 Cobbs Bridge Road in New Gloucester. The 4-car trailhead parking lot is off-road and plowed in the winter. If the lot is full, park along the road shoulder of Cobbs Bridge Rd, on the same side as the parking lot.

From the parking lot, the trail runs along an old woods road before turning right through a field. The trail continues through the woods following old stone walls. After 0.5 mi, the trail splits to form a mile long loop, either direction leading to a scenic stretch along the banks of the Royal River. The trail meanders over undulating rolling topography, with mature oaks and beech. As the trail approaches the river, where there are steep slopes, hemlock trees dominate the overstory.

Reminder: Public access is on-trail only. Dogs must be on leash at all times. Please respect private property and nearby residences.

Royal River Conservation Trust (RRCT) and Maine Farmland Trust (MFT) in June 2024 announced the establishment of a 150-acre conservation easement on a farm on Cobbs Bridge Road in New Gloucester. The farm — known by the landowner as Willow Farm — remains in private ownership, with a conservation easement held by RRCT.

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The landowner, Elizabeth Randall, reflects on protecting this property.

"Thirty-five years ago, when my husband John and I were searching for land to farm and raise our children on, we stumbled on this150-acre property consisting of fields and woods and river valley and a dilapidated 200-year-old house and barn. It was much larger than what we had imagined, but we loved the rolling hills, the light, and the river. What clinched it for my husband was a walk he took out back. First, he encountered a large porcupine; then a coyote on the edge of the hill who stopped to stare at him; finally, a majestic buck with full antlers greeted him as he headed back towards the house. He promised all of them on the spot that we would preserve and keep their home unspoiled and undeveloped to the best of our ability. 33years later as John was dealing with late-stage Parkinson’s disease, we decided to solidify our promise. We started working with RRCT and Maine Farmland Trust to protect our land, Willow Farm, as a legacy to our eight children, and as a monument to John who passed away in 2024, several months after the easement was finalized. Just a few weeks ago I was driving home thinking about what this land means to us as a family — and what it could mean to the human and more than human community around us. Then, as I started the turn into our driveway, a large bald eagle swept up and across my windshield. Yes, I thought, this is your home, too."

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Both RRCT and MFT provided funds for the project, with support from many funders including the Casco Bay Estuary Partnership, the Maine Outdoor Heritage Fund, and the Ram Island Conservation Fund of the Maine Community Foundation.

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The conservation easement and River Elf Trail fall within RRCT’s four-town ‘hotspot’ where Auburn, Durham, New Gloucester, and Pownal meet and represents another major conserved property in a critical up river region. As development in the watershed continues, and as sea run fisheries may be restored by the removal of Yarmouth’s dams, RRCT is accelerating its efforts to conserve and connect resilient lands, protect ecological integrity, mitigate the effects of climate change, and provide accessible respite for the region’s growing population.

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The 150-acre working farm conservation easement is located within one of the larger remaining undeveloped habitat areas in Greater Portland – those greater than 1,000 acres — and includes conservation of one mile of shoreline of the Royal River.

• Permitted uses on the trail include hiking, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, bird watching, and bank fishing on the Royal River. 
• Public access is on-trail only, respecting ongoing farming operations, sensitive habitat, and nearby residences. 
• Dogs must be on leash at all times. 
• Hunting for deer in November is allowed solely with the express permission of the landowner of the private farm. During hunting season, all trail users should wear blaze orange. 
• Biking, equestrian use, ATV use, and snowmobiling are prohibited. 
• No camping, overnight parking, fires, or smoking.

River Elves — Wabanaki educational content

Author: Natalie Waloven, RRCT Native American Intern 2023-24

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“Have you ever been traveling along the river, and it felt like someone was watching you? While it might have been an animal or other hiker, Wabanaki culture presents a different, more exciting possibility: the river elves.

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The legend of the river elves can be traced throughout Wabanaki tradition. One of multiple types of little people in the culture of the five tribes that made up the Wabanaki Confederacy (that is, the Abenaki, Maliseet, Mi’kmaq, Penobscot, and Passamaquoddy), River Elves are spirits that occupy rivers across Maine and the nearby territories.

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According to typical legend, river elves are infamous tricksters that like to cause mischief upon unsuspecting passer byers. However, their actual motives are rarely malicious. According to my mentor and relative, activist Imelda Perley (Opolahsomuwehs), river elves mainly try to teach lessons. For instance, when a girl once received a fancy, white dress, the little people splashed her with mud to warn against vanity.

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In many cases, the river elves (Manogemasak in Abenaki-Penobscot and Wanagemeswak in Passamaquoddy-Maliseet) are actually quite friendly with the Wabanaki people. When barbers refused to cut my great-grandfather’s hair because of his race, the river elves would supposedly trim it for him while he sat in his canoe. Little people will often also leave gifts when infants are born, and ward off unkind visitors.

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Although river elves are rarely seen—supposedly due to their unseemly appearance, albeit the accuracy of this is disputed—signs of them can be spotted in many places around the region. When traveling on the river, canoers can often hear the soft tapping of little people making furniture from the trees or river sediment. Avid artists, the river elves also often carve geometric sculptures with the rocks by their homes, which bring good luck to the people that find them; be sure to keep a lookout for them on your next Royal River hike!

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While using a name based on Wabanaki culture may not seem significant at first, the simple recognition and appreciation of our culture makes a huge impact. There is a common misconception that indigenous people exist only in the past, the culture lost, unimportant, or forgotten. By acknowledging the people of this land, both past and present, an effort is expressed that proves the devotion of unity between the tribes and settlers; through small steps such as with the River Elf property, we make leaps and bounds towards an equal, supportive society.

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So, next time you’re along the Royal River and it feels like someone is watching you, remember that it just might be the river elves!”

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RRCT has donated “Little People of the Dawn” books by local author Minquansis Sapiel to libraries in Gray, New Gloucester, and Yarmouth to supplement interpretation efforts. Yarmouth’s Merrill Memorial Library includes these books in Adventure Backpacks, free to check out, to enhance outdoor adventures.