Recreational Kayaking in Maine: Wadleigh Pond (Wadley Pond), Lyman

* A NEW place! (not in the book)

Body of Water: Wadleigh Pond, Lyman, ME [Maine Gazetteer Map 2, B5]

(Also seen in places as Wadley Pond.)

*Note: you could use these same directions to access Roberts Pond. There is a culvert that connects the two, but it was a bit too short/narrow for my liking.

Directions: From Portland go south on the turnpike. Take Exit 32 (Biddeford) After coming off the exit turn right onto Rt 111 for 3.5 miles then turn Right onto Hill Road for 2.1 miles. At the stop sign, turn left for 1.7 miles onto South St. which becomes South Waterboro Rd. Turn right onto Clarkswoods Rd for 2.7 miles then turn right onto Frye's Bridge Road for about 0.5 miles.

Boat Launch: Since I had been here last summer, when I went to Roberts Pond the area has changed a bit. Last summer there was a place right next to the launch for Wadleigh Pond, a pull out area, where people could park. This summer it has been blocked off with boulders and No Parking signs.

Between these rocks and the bridge on Frye Bridge road there is a place that is accessible. It isn't wicked steep, but it is a decline and there are large rocks, not gravel over which you have to walk. The rocks are very loose and it would be easy to sprain an ankle. I used my cart, but it would be easier with two people carrying each end of the kayak.

Parking: Roadside, along Frye's Bridge Road after the bridge on the left. From the parking area it is a bit of a walk to the launch area. Again, my cart was a big help. Having an extra person would have been nice too!

Fees: None

Bathroom: None

Wildlife: Blue heron, red tail hawks, ducks, turtles, beaver (signs of them at least!). I would suspect deer visit here as well as eagles. I saw a man made platform I think would be used for a loons nest but saw no signs of loons.

Notes: This is a map of Wadleigh Pond and Roberts Pond. As you can see there are lots of places to explore. Wadleigh Pond has a good balance of non developed shores mixed in with houses/camps. It seems to be a shallow pond, but I have not looked it up. There were a few hidden stumps just below the surface and I came the closest to tipping I have ever been! (But didn't!)

The light was funky while I was out... clouds filled the sky and changed the light again and again. So, the lighting in the pics are not as good as I usually like them to be... but hope it shows the beauty!

This is the culvert that goes to Roberts Pond.

It was nice to see some blue sky...behind the clouds.

Those little lily pads look peaceful enough... but... just when I relaxed tadpoles or frogs (too quick to see which) would splash the water and disappear. Made me think of my mom... she and I used to paddle in a place we named Tadpole Terrace... where the tadpoles would be just under the surface of the water getting some warmth and when we disturbed the they would jump and startle me. Mom got the biggest kick out of that!

The shores that were undeveloped were fun to explore.

Turtle!

This was a cool bridge...

After going under the bridge there was a marshy area and I saw this heron...I didn't get a better picture because it flew away...

Ferns are open!

This was kind of cool... pollen had made this design at the bottom of a tiny tiny waterfall on a tiny little stream.

Oh! THIS guy! I was paddling along and saw something coming towards me and realized it was a SNAKE! I have never seen a snake swimming before today and can't say I loved it. It was probably feet long.