Down East Sunrise Trail Relay
COURSE 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 scenic relay route traverses a variety of landscapes providing spectacular views of coastal mountains, forests, open wetlands, and blueberry barrens. Along the way, twenty-eight bridges span tree-lined streams and salmon rivers. Sections of the trail are described below going from west to east.

The official Sunrise Trail ends at Ayer's Junction in Pembroke. Runners will then follow MATS-206, a classic Maine off-road, back-woods ATV trail. Runners will cross US Route 1 and continue on the Sipayik Trail through Pleasant Point to scenic Route 190 with phenomenal views of Cobscook Bay to the east, and the Bay of Fundy to the west. The relay finishes along the seawall in historic downtown Eastport.

Please keep in mind that this is a trail race, not a road race. The 102.7-mile racecourse is not wheel measured. The maps included in the Race Handbook round mileage to the nearest 1/10th, and were all drawn using GPS mapping software on MapMyRun.com when the race was first founded. Since then, as the trail and road-side parking has improved over the years, race organizers have made a few small changes to some of the leg exchanges, and the corresponding maps have been updated accordingly. However, please be advised that the MapMyRun website has also evolved over the years, and the mileage for some of the original Race Handbook maps may differ slightly from what is displayed live on the MapMyRun website, or downloaded from MapMyRun.com.

Click HERE for the Race Handbook with complete PDF versions of these running instructions & maps. Your team is required to have a printed a copy of the Race Handbook at race check-in.

LEG 1:  8.9-miles

Washington Junction to Franklin Crossing

  • Start: Washington Junction - Mile Post 2 (MP2)

  • GPS Coordinates: 44.556751, -68.377764

  • Location: Railroad Siding Street, Ellsworth

  • Trail Section Length: 8.9-miles (Mile Posts 2-11)

  • Leg Description: The western terminus of the Down East Sunrise Trail is located at Washington Junction in Hancock. For the first few miles, the trail provides excellent opportunities for wildlife watching as it crosses Egypt Stream and a couple small dirt roads. In Franklin, the trail crosses several roads.

Click HERE to view on MapMyRun with elevation profile.

LEG 2:  7.5-miles

Franklin Crossing to Tunk Lake Road/ME 183

  • Start: Franklin Crossing - Mile Post 11 (MP11)

  • GPS Coordinates: 44.588122, -68.231327

  • Location: Intersection of DEST and Winter Street in the center of Franklin

  • Trail Section Length: 7.5-Miles (Mile Posts 11-18)

  • Leg Description: This section of trail is bordered by the Donnell Pond Public Lands Unit for over two and a half miles and by the Frenchman Bay Conservancy's Schoodic Bog Preserve for over a mile. These conservation lands offer extraordinary scenery and recreation opportunities. A dramatic view of Schoodic Mountain sneaks up on trail users entering Schoodic Bog from the west. Swimming, picnicking, and camping can be enjoyed with a side trip to Donnell Pond's Schoodic Beach.

Click HERE to view on MapMyRun with elevation profile.

LEG 3: 7.6-MILES

Tunk Lake Road/ME 183 to Unionville Crossing

  • Start: Tunk Lake Road/ME 183 - Mile Post 18 (MP18)

  • GPS Coordinates: 44.549113, -68.112082

  • Location: Four miles north of US 1 on ME 183 where DEST intersects

  • Trail Section Length: 7.6-Miles (Mile Posts 18-26)

  • Leg Description: The trail continues through remote forestland and crosses just a few logging roads before reaching Unionville.

Click HERE to view on MapMyRun with elevation profile.

LEG 4: 4.5-MILES

Unionville Crossing to Cherryfield Crossing

  • Start: Unionville Crossing - Mile Post 26 (MP26)

  • GPS Coordinates: 44.578503, -67.990254

  • Location: Unionville Rd.

  • Trail Section Length: 4.5-Miles (Mile Posts 26-30)

  • Leg Description: The trail parallels and eventually crosses Tunk Stream as it leaves Unionville. The trail intersects ME Route 182 at the eastern end of the Blackwoods Scenic Bay. It then traverses 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.

Click HERE to view on MapMyRun with elevation profile.

LEG 5: 6.2-MILES

Cherryfield Crossing to Harrington Crossing

  • Start: Cherryfield Crossing - Mile Post 30 (MP30)

  • GPS Coordinates: 44.607481, -67.925294

  • Location: Trail crosses ME 193 in Cherryfield.

  • Trail Section Length: 6.2-Miles (Mile Posts 30-37)

  • Leg Description: The trail skirts downtown Cherryfield's Historic District and then parallels US Route 1 for almost three miles before crossing several roads and the Harrington River.

Click HERE to view on MapMyRun with elevation profile.

LEG 6: 6.1-MILES

Harrington Crossing to Columbia Falls Crossing

  • Start: Harrington Crossing - Mile Post 37 (MP37)

  • GPS Coordinates: 44.624753, -67.809701

  • Location: Trail crosses North St. just north of Harrington.

  • Trail Section Length: 6.1-Miles (Mile Posts 37-43)

  • Leg Description: After crossing North Street in Harrington, the trail heads north into more remote forestland before dropping south again into Columbia Falls. In this section, the trail crosses the Pleasant River.

Click HERE to view on MapMyRun with elevation profile.

LEG 7: 3.8-MILES

Columbia Falls Crossing to Jonesboro Station

  • Start: Columbia Falls Crossing - Mile Post 43 (MP43)

  • GPS Coordinates: 44.657246, -67.727695

  • Location: Columbia Falls at Tibbetstown & Centerville Rds.

  • Trail Section Length: 3.8-Miles (Mile Posts 43-47)

  • Leg Description: The trail becomes semi-remote again in the four mile stretch from Columbia Falls to Jonesboro Station.

Click HERE to view on MapMyRun with elevation profile.

LEG 8: 7.7-MILES

Jonesboro Station to Whitneyville Crossing

  • Start: Jonesboro Station - Mile Post 47 (MP47)

  • GPS Coordinates: 44.670039, -67.646248

  • Location: Trail crosses Station Road northwest of Jonesboro.

  • Trail Section Length: 7.7-Miles (Mile Posts 47-55)

  • Leg Description: The trail becomes increasingly remote, crossing the Chandler River, numerous streams, and beaver ponds.

Click HERE to view on MapMyRun with elevation profile.

LEG 9: 3.6-MILES

Whitneyville Crossing to Machias

  • Start: Whitneyville Crossing - Mile Post 55 (MP55)

  • GPS Coordinates: 44.719446, -67.521875

  • Location: Trail crosses ME 1A just south of Whitneyville.

  • Trail Section Length: 3.6-Miles (Mile Posts 55-59)

  • Leg Description: 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 Railroad Station.

Click HERE to view on MapMyRun with elevation profile.

LEG 10: 3.9-MILES

Machias to East Machias

  • Start: Machias - Mile Post 59 (MP59)

  • GPS Coordinates: 44.719645, -67.451473

  • Location: Trail crosses US 1 in Machias.

  • Trail Section Length: 3.9-Miles (Mile Posts 59-63)

  • Leg Description: In this section, trail users can experience an aspect unavailable on multi-use trails elsewhere in Maine: proximity to salt water. Before reaching the US Route 1 bridge in East Machias, the trail crosses extensive salt marshes while providing beautiful views across the Machias and East Machias rivers.

Click HERE to view on MapMyRun with elevation profile.

LEG 11: 7.4-MILES

East Machias to McGeorge’s Crossing / Rocky Lake

  • Start: East Machias - Mile Post 63 (MP63)

  • GPS Coordinates: 44.735186, -67.392283

  • Location: Trail crosses Willow Street.

  • Trail Section Length: 7.4-Miles (Mile Posts 63-70)

  • Leg Description: The trail quickly ventures away from the coast and runs through fields and forests while paralleling ME Route 191. The trail intersects the southeast corner of the Rocky Lake Public Lands Unit before swinging east towards Dennysville. It's just a short side trip to the boating and camping areas on Rocky Lake's shore.

Click HERE to view on MapMyRun with elevation profile.

LEG 12: 10.6-MILES

McGeorge’s Crossing / Rocky Lake to Dennysville

  • Start: Rocky Lake Crossing - Mile Post 70 (MP70)

  • GPS Coordinates: 44.834722, -67.420254

  • Location: Trail crosses ME 191 just south of Diamond Match Rd.

  • Trail Section Length: 10.6-Miles (Mile Posts 70-80)

  • Leg Description: Forests and numerous ponds and streams define this trail section. Enjoy beautiful views over Harmon's Stream, the East Ridge and Great Works Wildlife Management Areas, and the Denny's River before reaching Dennysville Station.

Click HERE to view on MapMyRun with elevation profile.

LEG 13: 6.7-MILES

Dennysville to Ayers Junction

  • Start:Dennysville - Mile Post 80 (MP80)

  • GPS Coordinates: 44.901932, -67.247068

  • Location: Trail crosses Milwaukee Rd. in Dennysville.

  • Trail Section Length: 6.7-Miles (Mile Posts 80-87)

  • Leg Description: The trail continues through relatively remote forestland until it reaches its eastern terminus at Ayers Junction, just a few miles north of the village of Pembroke.

Click HERE to view on MapMyRun with elevation profile.

LEG 14: 3.5-MILES

Ayers Junction to Little Falls Road

  • Start: Ayers Junction - Mile Post 87 (MP87)

  • GPS Coordinates: 44.985302, -67.235818

  • Location: Trail crosses ME Route 214/Ayers Junction Road in Pembroke.

  • Trail Section Length: 3.5-Miles (Note: Miles are not marked!)

  • Leg Description: The DEST ends at Ayer's Junction. You will be following MATS-206, also a rails-to-trail surface. There are several ATV trails that intersect the route on the leg, keep in mind that you are following the old railroad and trains can't make sharp turns. Stay the straightest course.

Click HERE to view on MapMyRun with elevation profile.

LEG 15: 8.0-MILES

Little Falls Road to Split Rock / Pessikapskiyak Road

  • Start: Little Falls Road

  • GPS Coordinates: 44.965628, -67.172754

  • Location: Trail crosses Little Falls Road in Pembroke.

  • Trail Section Length: 8.0-Miles (Note: Miles are not marked!)

  • Leg Description: From Little Falls Road Road, continue following MATS-206 for 5.3-miles. Where MATS-206 ends, CROSS US Route 1 and continue STRAIGHT on the paved (pedestrians ONLY) Sipayik Trail, follow 2-miles. Continue STRAIGHT onto Treatment Plant Road, follow 2/10-miles. Stay STRAIGHT on Bayview Drive, follow 3/10-miles. Turn LEFT on Route 190, follow 4/10-miles. (Note: Run facing traffic on wide paved shoulder.) Hand-off is on Route 190 at Pessikapskiyak Road / Split Rock, along Eastport causeway.

Click HERE to view on MapMyRun with elevation profile.

NEW LEG 16: 6.7-MILES

Split Rock / Pessikapskiyak Road to Finish in Eastport

  • Start: Split Roack / Pessikapskiyak Road off of Route 190, just past Pleasant Point along the causeway.

  • GPS Coordinates:44.950858, -67.039382

  • Location: Route 190 at Pessikapskiyak Road along Eastport causeway.

  • Trail Section Length: 6.7-Miles (Note: Miles are not marked!)

  • Leg Description: 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: 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. Turn LEFT onto the Eastport Harbor Walk, 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.)

  • Finish Line GPS Coordinates: 44.905386, -66.984429

Click HERE to view on MapMyRun with elevation profile.

Land Acknowledgement

The Down East Sunrise Trail Relay runs on unceded territory of the Wabanaki Confederacy.

We recognize and honor the current Tribes who comprise the Wabanaki Confederacy—the Penobscot, Passamaquoddy, Maliseet, and Micmac peoples—as distinct, sovereign, legal and political entities with their own powers of self-governance and self-determination, who have stewarded this land throughout the generations. We respect the traditional values of these Tribes and affirm their inherent sovereignty in this territory. We support their efforts for land and water protection and restoration, and for cultural healing and recovery.

We pause in remembrance of the Tribes of the Wabanaki Confederacy whose lives and land were taken through genocidal strategies of colonial settlement of this land.

We pay respect to elders both past and present, and we commit to the ongoing work of decolonization in Maine and beyond.

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All settlers, including recent arrivants, have a responsibility to consider what it means to acknowledge the history and legacy of colonialism:

❖ What are some of the privileges settlers enjoy today because of colonialism?
❖ How can individuals develop relationships with peoples whose territory they are living on in the contemporary geopolitical landscape?
❖ What might you be doing that perpetuates settler colonial futurity rather than considering alternative ways forward?
❖ Do you have an understanding of the on-going violence and the trauma that is part of the structure of colonialism?

The resources below are a great starting point as you contemplate your position relative to the land you occupy, but we encourage you to dig deeper, as well—to seek out additional information and to build authentic connections within your own communities.

#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.