The Calais Branch railroad corridor is 127 miles long and connects Brewer to Calais in Downeast Maine. It was acquired by the Maine Department of Transportation in 1987 from Maine Central Railroad for the purposes of rail preservation and has been unused by the rail operators since that time. The Down East Sunrise Trail (DEST) is an inter-agency project of the Maine Department of Transportation (Maine DOT) and the Maine Department of Conservation. The project has rehabilitated 85 miles of the Calais Branch rail corridor for possible future rail use while at the same time providing a wide compact gravel-based trail for immediate use. The DEST is managed for use by snowmobilers, ATV-ers, pedestrians, bicyclists, cross-country skiers, and equestrians and other outdoor enthusiasts. Currently 85 miles of multi-use trail is open for permanent year-round use from mile marker 2 at Washington Junction in Hancock, east to mile post 87, Ayers Junction in Pembroke (except for mud season).