High Pond Natural Area

Hikers can now track their position while exploring our trails using the Avenza Maps app on their smartphones. To learn how to record your route, drop placemarks, and more using the Avenza Maps app, please see our Avenza How-to Guide and download the natural area’s trail map.

What to See: Plants

Mixed northern hardwood is the most common forest type in the High Pond Preserve, composed of maples, birches, ash, oaks, cherry and hemlock, among other species. Another feature of the preserve is the community of old growth hemlock, one of fewer than 10 of its size and age that can be found in Vermont, a nearly pure stand of chestnut oak, and a distinctive, fire-influenced red pine community high on the ridge beside High Pond.

What to See: Animals

A number of mammals such as bobcat, fisher and bear can be found at High Pond Preserve, as well as birds like the pileated woodpecker and the black-backed woodpecker. There is also an abundance of amphibians in the vernal pools and the ponds of the preserve.

With the help of a Vermont Youth Conservation Corps team, TNC recently made an addition to the one-mile visitor’s trail to provide access to the north side of High Pond. The trail leads through the preserve to High Pond itself, passing through a number of different forest communities including a hemlock ravine and mature northern hardwood forest with abundant black birch.