Bates–Morse Mountain Conservation Area — Attraction in Phippsburg

May 16, 2021 - Imagine using “Blow pop” to describe your Bates-Morse adventure . . . It’s two treats in one ! There’s a 1 mile gradual gravel road hike to the Morse Mt. summit. Then you can trek the 1 mile descent on a semi-paved mini-road . . . to secluded Seawall Beach ! Million $ views at both destinations! I’d rate this a solid 4.8 adventure ( with two suggestions).

As you pass the Popham Beach sign, on Rt. 209, you continue on Rt. 216, ready for a left turn on Morse Mt. road. The parking lot is limited to about 40 cars, and fills up quickly on a nice day. Usually there’s a volunteer at the kiosk, with information . . . No fee, only donation box. Rules apply, so come prepared! No bathrooms, no water fountains, no snack shacks! There are private homes, and a few cottages for researchers to stay within the Bates Morse Mt. Conservation Area ( BMMCA). The public is asked to respect property boundaries, and stay on the roads. The 600+ acres are managed by . . .

Bates College St. John Family The Nature Conservancy Maine Audubon Small Point Association

My advice ( late spring & summer months) to hikers would be . . . to carry in water, camera, some snacks, and bug spray! Less is best! Read the rules, mostly “Don’ts”!

Bird Watchers: You might see . . .

American Black Ducks Common Eiders Piping Plovers Least Tern & Arctic Tern Sanderlings Black Crowned Night Heron Black Bellied Plovers Great Egret

Historical Background

Pre 1600’s - Native Abenaki Indians 1607 - English attempt Popham Colony 1607 - George Popham built Fort St. George 1608 - “Virginia”, 1st large ship built . . . Popham Colony dissolved 1653 - Thomas Atkins buys land, Phippsburg 1670’s to 1700’s- Indian wars with settlers 1793 - Mt. Ararat purchased by Daniel Morse ( renamed to Morse Mt.) 1814 - Phippsburg incorporated 1860’s - Fort Popham built 1912 - Fort Baldwin built 1978 - St. John family formed BMMCA 2010 - Phippsburg population is 2,216

Currently - thousands visit the Bates- Morse Conservation Area (BMMCA) each year, including students from all grades & researchers who study the natural surroundings & animals.

I’m always thankful to those who donate their time, talents, and resources for the good of posterity!

My suggestions: (BMMCA)

Establish a nature center/education center

Create a website that informs the public

Both would greatly improve the public’s awareness of the larger issues that our children will face...

Morse Mountain Seawall Beach is a treasure. When the tide is less than high you can walk all the way to Popham Beach and back. At low tide you can walk up to one of the small islands. The hike in is a combination of gravel and paved. It is 4 miles round trip. About 1/4 of the way in you can take a quick detour and have a view from an overlook. There is lots and lots of beach. Many shells and sea glass. Be careful of very very sharp metal lobster trap remnants hiding just under the sand in some places. Especially at mid-tide. There are fewer people because parking is limited. If you aren’t there before 10am you probably aren’t parking and there is no where to park in the area. From the parking area you will walk through a shaded forest with lots of greenery and several rocky formations. Fairly easy short uphill and then down to the ocean. No bathrooms or changing areas so come prepared. The mosquitos are vicious on your walk in and out but it is absolutely worth it. I live locally and I visit Morse Mtn in all seasons. Snowshoe down in the winter with your jet boil and make some camp coffee while you hide from the wind between the rock outcroppings and watch the waves roll in and out. You will not be...

The semi-private Seawall Beach is, bar none, the most pristine and unspoiled I've ever had the pleasure to access in New England. It's almost a polar opposite of the sometimes overcrowded Popham beach state park nearby. An amazing experience, requiring at least half a day to make it worthwhile. The experience is not for everyone, though. There are very good reasons why the beach is so beautiful and wild: No facilities of any kind, not even port-a-potties A 1/2 hour to 45 minute one-way hike with a significant, but not too steep, climb. Small parking lot that fills up quickly (by 10:30-11am) in high season. There's a much smaller lot right next to the beach, exclusive to renters/owners with permits from the 5-6 houses nearby. Mosquitoes in the marshy areas along the way during bug season. The beach itself is usually breezy enough for them not pose a problem once you arrive. I won't deduct any stars because of any of the above inconveniences - that's simply mother nature. If you want to enjoy it, come prepared. Arrive early, bring insect repellent, carry all of your food and beverages, don't wear flip-flops on the trail, and be OK with taking care of your bathroom needs...