The Jockey Cap Project

Introduction

USVLT is partnering with the Town of Fryeburg to protect the beloved Jockey Cap property. At only 15.6 acres in size, Jockey Cap is small but mighty: it contains rare pitch pine habitat, popular hiking trails and rock climbing routes, and most notably, a large granite dome that offers sweeping views to the White Mountains.

A Beloved Community Destination

Jockey Cap is located in the downtown village center of Fryeburg, Maine. It is already a popular destination for both locals and visitors seeking a beginner-friendly hike to the 610’ foot summit. Jockey Cap’s cliffs offer some of the most unique rock climbing in Maine and the boulder garden below is enjoyed by rock climbers for its high quality bouldering problems.

Jockey Cap is also used as an outdoor classroom by students and teachers at many local schools. The property contains about 6 acres of rare pitch pine woodlands as well as scrub oak and early succession mixed hardwood forest.

The Jockey Cap property has pre- and post-colonial historical significance. There is a memorial to arctic explorer Admiral Robert Peary at the summit, and Molly Ockett, likely the last member of the Pequawket Tribe (western Wabanaki confederacy) to live locally, is rumored to have resided onsite in “Molly Ockett’s Cave.” Jockey Cap was home to Maine’s first rope tow for skiing, which was in operation from 1936-1938.

The Project

Due in part to a problematic ownership structure, the Jockey Cap property has suffered from years of neglect. Since the Town is only a 50% owner of the property, it has been unable to invest in it or properly manage and protect it. The Jockey Cap project has three steps:

Step 1 is for USVLT to purchase the 50% ownership interest in the property from the private citizen who currently holds it.
Step 2 is for USVLT to donate this ownership interest to the Town of Fryeburg so that the Town becomes the sole owner.
Step 3 is for a conservation easement to be put in place on the property in order to preserve public access for low impact recreation and protect the rare natural features onsite.

This acquisition and conservation easement project will ensure that the Town can work with USVLT and other partners to give Jockey Cap the love it deserves. Planned future improvement projects include creating a welcoming trailhead with a parking lot, bike parking, and information kiosk, erosion control, many trail projects, and more.

Funding

USVLT and the Town of Fryeburg have completed fundraising for the Jockey Cap acquisition. Support has been provided by:

The Land for Maine's Future Program
The Maine Land and Water Conservation Fund
The Clarence E. Mulford Trust
The Kendal C. and Anna Ham Foundation
The Maine Community Foundation
Saco River Brewing

Jockey Cap in the News

Oct 24, 2022, Portland Press Herald: Hiking in Maine: Land trust seeks to preserve popular trails in Fryeburg

Oct 17, 2022 ABC News, Channel 8: Maine brewery, land trust team up to protect Fryeburg's Jockey Cap

Sept 11, 2022 Portland Press Herald: Breweries lend a hand to conservation and land-protection efforts

Fall 2022 Vibe Magazine: Partners in conservation join forces to preserve the Valley's climbing areas

Summer 2022 Vibe Magazine: New Life on its way for Fryeburg's Historic Jockey Cap

Sept 16, 2022 Conway Daily Sun: Ed Parsons: Preserving Jockey Cap

Sep 13, 2022 Conway Daily Sun: Sales of Jockey Cap IPA to benefit USVLT

June 14, 2022 Conway Daily Sun: Grant program awards Fryeburg $138k for Jockey Cap

May 18, 2022 Conway Daily Sun: Fryeburg official bullish on Jockey Cap deal

May 13, 2022 Conway Daily Sun: USVLT, Fryeburg to host Jockey Cap Jockey Cap tour Thursday

April 26, 2021: Conway Daily Sun: Jockey Cap to appear on Fryeburg town warrant

Directions

Directions, a trail map, and more details are available at Maine Trail Finder.

From Fryeburg’s village downtown, travel east on US-302/Bridgton Road. Turn left into the parking lot of the Jockey Cap Country Store just before the Dollar General. Two parking spots for the trailhead are located on the far left of the lot, within view of the trailhead kiosk.