High Pond Trail at Half Moon Pond State Park
12.07.2020. Today’s temperature was in the upper 20s and the dense clouds meant that even at mid-day the light was dim. While the hike is less than 2 miles out and back, its beauty more than compensates for its short length. The trail meanders over hilly terrain dense with massive helmlocks. Two lovely ponds abut the trail; the lower is a beaver pond that has submerged the lower trunks many trees in the forest there; the upper, named High Pond, is remote seeming and pristine. The low temperatures formed a crust of silvery ice on both ponds and each pond’s icy surface was covered with a fine debris—green colored on the beaver pond and white on the upper. We had strong winds and some rain yesterday from a nor’easter that must somehow account for the dusting, although I could not identify the source of the particles. We identified two large woodpeckers at work, but they were too far to identify their markings. Next time we won’t forget our binoculars! On our way down from High Pond, we heard a heavy crash on the ridge above us, but our vision was obstructed by a ledge and we saw nothing. Perhaps we heard a large deer or moose, although I have seen several moose here in Vermont and they move amazingly stealthily, especially given their startlingly massive bodies, so perhaps it was just a large branch falling.
Partially submerged trees, some downed by beavers.
High Pond Trail, 12.07.2020
Fuji XH1 & Fuji 16-55 f2.8
Beaver dam and behind it—submerged trees.
High Pond Trail, 12.07.2020
Fuji XH1 & Fuji 16-55 f2.8
Some of the trees are fairly large. 12.07.2020
High Pond Trail, 12.07.2020
Fuji XH1 & Fuji 16-55 f2.8
Green debris scattered over the surface of the frozen beaver pond.
High Pond Trail, 12.07.2020
Fuji XH1 & Fuji 16-55 f2.8
High Pond has a fine dusting of white forest debris on its frozen surface—and an untamed quality that I love.
High Pond Trail, 12.07.2020
Fuji XH1 & Fuji 16-55 f2.8
