High Pond Trail at Half-Moon Pond State Park

I wanted to return in winter in order to walk on the frozen pond at the top of the trail and to see if there were any visible changes in the beaver pond since we were here in December (there weren’t). This is a beautiful forest and as the trail is short and only moderately hilly in places, it’s perfect for a quick and easy hike.

The new beaver pond has created wetlands, the benefits of which include flood control, reduced soil erosion and greater biodiversity. Almost half of endangered and threatened species in North America rely upon wetlands.

The terrain is variable and interesting along the trail.

High Pond At Half Moon Lake, 3.15.2021

Sony A7RIV and Voitlander 50mm f/2

Tree snag along the edge of High Pond

High Pond At Half Moon Lake, 3.15.2021

Sony A7RIV and Voitlander 50mm f/2

Today, the pond was frozen solid and was safe to walk on. What this image shows, however, is evidence of recent runoff when the temperatures were warmer. I’d always assumed a the surface of a pond was flat, even when frozen, but apparently not.

High Pond At Half Moon Lake, 3.15.2021

Sony A7RIV and Voitlander 50mm f/2

The the darker surface of the twig absorbs heat from the sun and melts the lighter colored and cooler surface of the ice.

High Pond At Half Moon Lake, 3.15.2021

Sony A7RIV and Voitlander 50mm f/2

Another example of a darker, warmer surface melting the lighter, cooler surface of the ice.

High Pond At Half Moon Lake, 3.15.2021

Sony A7RIV and Voitlander 50mm f/2