Down East Sunrise Trail Relay
DRIVING INFO
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The 102.7 Mile Down East Sunrise Trail Relay starts at Washington Junction in Ellsworth, Maine, the western terminus of the 85-mile Down East Sunrise Trail (DEST). The Relay ends at Eastport, Maine, the Eastern Most City in the USA.
The Down East Sunrise Trail is closed to vehicular traffic. Therefore, all support vehicles must follow these driving directions to reach the next leg exchange.
Click HERE for the Race Handbook with complete PDF versions of these driving directions & maps. Your team is required to have a printed a copy of the Race Handbookat race check-in.
DRIVING Directions to Start
Washington Junction: 44.556751, -68.377764
From Ellsworth: Take Main Street east from junction of US Route 1A, US Route 1, and ME Route 3. Continue 2.1-miles and turn LEFT on Railroad (Siding) Street. Look for parking and trail head signs.
From East: Traveling South on US Route 1, continue 1.8-miles west of the intersection with ME Route 182. Turn RIGHT on Washington Junction Road. Continue for 1.9-miles before turning RIGHT on Railroad Street. Look for parking and trailhead signs.
Parking: Large off-street lot
Points of Interest & Side Trips: Restored rail cars by Down East Heritage Rail at Washington Junction. Wildlife-watching opportunities on this section of the trail and most impressively near wetlands. Watch out for deer crossing the trail. A side trip to Franklin Memorial Park is a nice stop to take in local history and have a picnic. Lamoine State Park and Acadia National Park offer additional cycling & hiking adventures.
DRIVING DIRECTIONS TO LEG 2 START
Franklin Crossing: 44.588122, -68.231327
Directions: Go back out Railroad Siding Street. Turn LEFT on Washington Junction Road, follow 1.9-miles. Turn LEFT on US Route 1-North, follow 1.8-miles. Turn LEFT on ME Route 182, follow 5.8-miles. Turn LEFT on Winter Street and park at the DEST lot.
Total Driving Distance: Approx 10.04-miles.
Parking: DEST parking lot at crossing.
Points of Interest & Side Trips: Schoodic Bog and the view of Schoodic Mt. is stunning, especially in autumn. A picnic table awaits you. Take North End Rd. from trail to Schoodic Beach Rd. for hiking on Schoodic and Black Mts. and camping and day use on Schoodic Beach. NOTE: Trailhead is a 1/2-mile walk from beach.
DRIVING DIRECTIONS TO LEG 3 START
Tunk Lake Road/ME 183: 44.549113, -68.112082
Directions: Reverse direction on Winter Street, follow 1/10-mile. Turn LEFT on Rout 182, follow 1/10-mile. Bear RIGHT on Rout 200 (Hog Bay Road, which becomes Bert Gray Road), follow 5.8-miles. Turn LEFT on US Route 1-North, follow 2.5-miles. Turn LEFT on Route 183, follow 4.1-miles. DEST trail crosses Tunk Lake Road.
Total Driving Distance: Approx 12.8-miles.
Parking: Limited parking next to the trail.
Points of Interest & Side Trips: Trail passes through remote forestland and crosses a few logging roads before reaching Unionville. Hike , swim, and camp at Donnell Pond Public Lands. From trail take North End Rd or ME 183. The Schoodic National Scenic Byway (US 1). To learn more about the geology of the area, view Maine's Ice Age Trail here.
DRIVING DIRECTIONS TO LEG 4 START
Unionville Crossing: 44.578503, -67.990254
Directions: Reverse direction on Route 183, follow 4.1-miles. Turn LEFT on US Route 1-North, follow 11-miles thru Gouldsboro. In Steuben turn LEFT on Smithville Road (becomes Unionville Road), follow 6.0-miles. DEST trail crosses Unionville Road.
Total Driving Distance: Approx 21.48-miles.
Parking: Limited trailside parking.
Points of Interest: Trail parallels and then crosses Tunk Stream as it leaves Unionville. It intersects the eastern end of the Blackwoods Scenic Byway/ME 182, then crosses the Narraguagus River at Cable Pool in Cherryfield via an early 20th-century steel trestle bridge. Cable Pool, now a town park, is a historically significant salmon pool. It makes a great picnic spot.
DRIVING DIRECTIONS TO LEG 5 START
Cherryfield Crossing: 44.607481, -67.925294
Directions: Continue on Unionville Road, follow 2.6-miles. Turn RIGHT on Route 182, follow 7/10-mile. Turn LEFT on North Street, follow 6/10-mile. North Street crosses Route 193 and becomes Willey District Road, follow 1/10-mile. DEST trail crosses Willey District Road.
Total Driving Distance: Approx 4.16-miles.
Parking: At North St. - North St. intersects ME 193 about 1-mile north of US Route 1, and 1/4-mile south of the DEST/ME 193 crossing.
Points of Interest & Side Trips: A side trip to the historic district for the history and cafes makes for a fun lunch stop. To learn more about the geology of the area view Maine's Ice Age Trail here.
DRIVING DIRECTIONS TO LEG 6 START
Harrington Crossing: 44.624753, -67.809701
Directions: Continue on Willey District Road, follow 4.0-miles. Turn LEFT on US Route 1-North, follow 1.9-miles. Turn LEFT on North Street, follow 3/10-mile. DEST trail crosses North Street.
Total Driving Distance: Approx 6.22-miles.
Parking: Limited parking at Harrington Crossing. Summer and weekend parking at Narraguagus High School.
Points of Interest & Side Trips: Pass by blueberry barrens and the Pleasant River before the trail becomes semi-remote.
DRIVING DIRECTIONS TO LEG 7 START
Columbia Falls: 44.657246, -67.727695
Directions: Reverse direction on North Street, follow 3/10-mile. Stay LEFT on US Route 1, follow 4.4-miles. Turn LEFT on Tibbetstown Road, follow 100-feet. DEST trail crosses Tibbetstown Road, just before the intersection with Centerville Road.
Total Driving Distance: Approx 5.23-miles.
Parking: Limited at Columbia Falls Crossing.
Points of Interest & Side Trips: The Wild Salmon Resource Center, Pleasant River Community Forest, Forest Hills Cemetery, Gallison Library, and Ruggles House & Garden are great side trips. A country store, 1mile east of Columbia Falls is known for doughnuts and makes a good lunch and provisions stop.
DRIVING DIRECTIONS TO LEG 8 START
Jonesboro Station: 44.670039, -67.646248
Directions: Continue straight on Tibbetstown Road, follow 100-feet. Continue straight thru intersection onto Centerville Road, follow 3.3-miles (Note: Be careful to stay straight on Centerville Road, Tibbestown Road turns off to the left.) Centerville Road turns left, stay STRAIGHT for 8/10-mile. Turn RIGHT on Station Road, follow-2.4 miles. DEST trail crosses Station Road.
Total Driving Distance: Approx 5.44-miles.
Parking: Limited parking next to the trail.
Points of Interest & Side Trips: This section of the trail passes by the corner of the Jonesboro Wildlife Management Area and provides good opportunities for wildlife viewing.
DRIVING DIRECTIONS TO LEG 9 START
Whitneyville Crossing: 44.719377, -67.522374
Directions: Continue on Station Road, follow 4.2-miles. Turn LEFT on US Route 1, follow 1.5-miles. Turn LEFT on Route 1A Whitneyville Road, follow 3.5-miles. Slight LEFT onto Middle Street. DEST trail crosses Middle Street.
Total Driving Distance: Approx 9.35-miles.
Parking: There is a DEST parking area on the left, just beyond the trail crossing.
Points of Interest: An 1868 schoolhouse turned library in 1966 is located close to the trail in Whitneyville. Leaving Whitneyville, the trail crosses the Machias River and cuts through freshwater marshes and upland forests. Skirting downtown Machias, the trail crosses just two roads in this section before reaching the Machias Station 98.
DRIVING DIRECTIONS TO LEG 10 START
Machias: 44.719645, -67.451473
Directions: Continue STRAIGHT on Middle Street, follow 1/10th-mile. Turn RIGHT on Cross Street, follow 1/10th-mile. Turn LEFT on Route 1A, follow 4.1-miles. Bear LEFT as Route 1A turns into US Route 1, follow straight 2/10-mile. DEST trail crosses US Route 1 just past the Machias causeway.
Total Driving Distance: Approx 4.54-miles.
Parking: At green boxcar and Station 98 just west of causeway (dike) and on causeway (no trailers)
Points of Interest & Side Trips: The trail crosses the Machias Dike, where both flea and farmers' markets take place in the summer. A motel, ATM, and nationally famous blueberry pie-making restaurant provide amenities just west of the dike (causeway). Explore town, then consider a side trip to Roque Bluffs State Park for an on-road bike loop ride.
DRIVING DIRECTIONS TO LEG 11 START
East Machias: 44.735175, -67.392345
Directions: Keep going straight on US Route 1, follow 3.4-miles. Turn RIGHT on Willow Street, follow 1/10th-mile. DEST trail crosses Willow Street.
Total Driving Distance: Approx 3.46-miles.
Parking: Large lot on Willow Street, just east of US 1.
Points of Interest & Side Trips: This section of the trail runs through fields and forest while paralleling ME 191. It is just a short side trip to the boating and camping areas on Rocky Lake's shore. Visit the East Machias Aquatic Research Center (EMARC) to learn about Maine's fisheries. Cutler Coast Public Lands, Cobscook Bay and Quoddy Head State Parks and lighthouse are recommended side trips.
DRIVING DIRECTIONS TO LEG 12 START
Rocky Lake Crossing: 44.834722, -67.420254
Directions: Reverse direction on Willow Street, follow 1/10th-mile. Turn RIGHT on US Route 1, follow 2/10th-mile. Turn LEFT on Rout 191, continue for 6.9-miles. DEST trail crosses Route 191.
Total Driving Distance: Approx 7.28-miles.
Parking: West side of ME 191 at trail
Points of Interest & Side Trips: Don't miss Rocky Lake Public Lands. Consider a picnic by the smaller Patrick Lake (access off ME 86). Enjoy beautiful views over Harmon's Stream, the East Ridge, Great Works Wildlife Management Area, and the Denny's River. Cobscook Bay & Quoddy Head State Parks are great side trips from Dennysville.
DRIVING DIRECTIONS TO LEG 13 START
Dennysville: 44.901932, -67.247068
Directions: Keep going straight on Route 191, follow 3.1-miles. Turn RIGHT on Route 86, follow 8.8-miles. Turn LEFT at Milwaukee Road, DEST trail crosses at Milwaukee Road.
Total Driving Distance: Approx 12.15-miles.
Parking: US 1 north to ME 86 west to Milwaukee Rd. north 100-ft. to where trail intersects the road.
Points of Interest & Side Trips: Add to your adventure by visiting the village of Pembroke, Reversing Falls, and Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge.
DRIVING DIRECTIONS TO LEG 14 START
Ayers Junction: 44.985302, -67.235818
Directions: Reverse direction on Milwaukee Road, go straight on Route 86, follow 1.3-miles. Turn LEFT on US Route 1, follow 4.4-miles. Turn LEFT on Route 214 / Ayers Junction Road, follow 3.6-miles. DEST ends on the LEFT side of Ayers Junction Road, MATS-260 starts on the RIGHT side of the road.
Total Driving Distance: Approx 9.48-miles.
Parking: Gravel parking lot on the left side of the road where the trail intersects the roadway.
Points of Interest & Side Trips: Add to your adventure by visiting the village of Pembroke, Reversing Falls, and Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge.
DRIVING DIRECTIONS TO LEG 15 START
Little Falls Road: 44.965628, -67.172754
Directions: Continue STRAIGHT on Route 214/Ayers Junction Road, follow 4/10-miles. Turn RIGHT on Mt Tom Road, follow 3.1-miles. At STOP sign, continue STRAIGHT onto Little Falls Road, follow 1.9-miles. The trail crosses Little Falls Road.
Total Driving Distance: Approx 5.40-miles.
Parking: On the LEFT side of Little Falls Road.
Points of Interest & Side Trips: Perry is located on the 45th Parallel -- halfway between the Equator and the North Pole. There is a pink granite marker at a state roadside park on US Route 1 North. Straddle the line, and see if one side is cooler than the other! Sipayik is home to Pleasant Point and the Passamaquoddy Tribe.
DRIVING Directions TO LEG 16 START
Split Rock / Pessikapskiyak Road: 44.950858, -67.039382
Directions: Continue STRAIGHT on Little Falls, follow 6/10-mile. Turn Left on US Route 1, follow 5.3-miles. Turn Right on Route 190, follow 2.2-miles.
Total Driving Distance: Approx 8.10-miles.
Parking: On your LEFT, at Pessikapskiyak Road/Split Rock. (There is a small parking area.)
Points of Interest & Side Trips: Eastport is the easternmost city in the United States. Downtown Eastport is brimming with art galleries. For a quick bite in Eastport, locals swear by Rosie's Hot Dogs, where owners William and Paula Bouchard have served sought- after franks for nearly 40 years. No shopping trip to Eastport is complete without a visit to Raye's Mustard Mill. The working mill has been in operation since 1900. Before you shop, take the tour that begins with a sign that reads, "Experience the flavor modern technology left behind." Raye's is the only American mustard made with hand-cut millstones.
Note: We are really excited to include the very scenic, car-free, paved Sipayik Rail-Trail through the Passamaquoddy Tribal Lands (Pleasant Point ) to our race course! Your Leg 15 runner will be joining this trail when they exit MATS-206 in Perry and cross US Route 1. Please be respectful of the Passamaquoddy Tribe by NOT driving your team vehicle into their community. Instead, please go directly to the leg handoff at Pessikapskiyak Road / Split Rock.
DRIVING DIRECTIONS TO the FINISH IN EASTPORT
Downtown Eastport: 44.905386, -66.984429
Follow scenic Route 190, which passes thru Carlow Island with views of Cobscook Bay on your right, and Canada, across the Passamaquoddy Bay, on your left. (Note: Your Leg 16 runner must run FACING traffic on wide paved shoulder.) Keep going on Route 190, follow 3.9-miles. Bear RIGHT on County Road, follow 7/10-mile. Turn LEFT on Lincoln Street, follow 2/10-mile. Turn LEFT on High Street, follow 9/10-mile. Turn RIGHT on Clark Street, follow 2/10-mile. Turn RIGHT on Water Street, follow 7/10-mile and park where directed and walk to the finish line on the Eastport Harbor Walk waterfront. Your Leg 16 runner will turn LEFT onto the Eastport Harbor Walk, and follow 2/10-mile to the waterfront finish line at the Sutherland Overlook Park Amphitheater. (Located on the waterfront, near the fisherman and mermaid statues.)
Total Driving Distance: Approx 6.5-miles.
Parking: As indicated in downtown Eastport.
Note: This driving map is the same route as the final (Leg 16) running map, except for approx. the final 2/10 mile where runners will enter the Eastport Harbor Walk. Teams should assist their runners to make sure that they turn at each designated intersection in order to stay on the relay route. These intersections will be marked with paint in the road.
#DESTRELAY • run downeast
Crow Athletics is proud to host the Down East Sunrise Trail Relay, the award-winning Mount Desert Island Marathon, and the FREE Millinocket Marathon & Half.