Trails are CLOSED during Spring Mud Season. Trails will open May 11, 2024.

Hazen's Notch Association Trails
Visitor Information

Three Nature Preserves in Montgomery, Vermont

  1. High Ponds Farm Nature Preserve, 478 Rossier Road, Montgomery VT Web page 🡕
  2. Burnt Mountain Conservation Area, 478 Rossier Road, Montgomery, VT Web page 🡕
  3. Bear Paw Pond Conservation Area, 1000 Hazen's Notch Road, Montgomery, VT Web page 🡕
Moosewood Ponds, High Ponds Farm, Montgomery, VermontBeaver Pond, High Ponds Farm Nature Preserve, Montgomery, Vermont
Trail Users: There is a new brochure with trail map and suggested routes for people visiting the High Ponds Farm to visit the Moosewood Ponds, go to the High Meadow or ascend to the summit of Burnt Mountain.

The link to the map is here: High Ponds Farm and Burnt Mountain Area Map 2024.pdf
The link to the Suggested Routes is here: High Ponds Farm and Burnt Mountain Suggested Routes.pdf

  The High Ponds Farm in the Hazen's Notch area of Montgomery, Vermont is a privately owned nature preserve that is open to the public on a limited basis.  The High Ponds Farm was widely known as the Rodney Dodge Farm from 1876 to 1900 at the High Meadow (Rodney Dodge); and from 1900 - 1945 as the 212-acre John Rodney Dodge Farm.  The current 232-acre property was initially purchased by the Anderson family in 1995.  The adjoining 160-acre Burnt Mountain parcel was also purchased by the Anderson family in the 1990's to ensure access to the trail up Burnt Mountain which Rolf Anderson created in 1990.  Detailed information about the trails of the High Ponds Farm including the trail to the summit of Burnt Mountain can be found on the website of the Hazen's Notch Association: Burnt Mountain, Montgomery, Vermont

Note that the trail once known as Lower Window Rock Trail has been renamed as Dodge Trail. New trail signs are being installed in December 2023.

Please limit your use of trails in Spring to restored wood roads with firm surfaces to minimize damage in Mud Season. Please do not hike above the High Meadow at the High Ponds Farm until mid May. Thank you.

Open Trails

Hazen's Notch Association Trails

Cross Country Skiing + Snowshoeing
Dec 11, 2023 - April 1, 2024

Mud Season
April 2 - May 11, 2024 (Trails Closed)

Hiking + Walking
May 12 - Nov 10, 2024
Nov 27 - Dec 1, 2023

Hunting
Nov 12 - 26, 2023 (Trails Closed)
Dec 2 - 10, 2023 (Trails Closed)

High Ponds Farm and Burnt Mountain Conservation Area (478 Rossier Road): Beaver Ponds Trail to Moosewood Ponds and beyond to the Bear Paw Pond Area; High Meadow Trail to the High Meadow and the Notch Trail; Sunset Ridge Trail to summit of Burnt Mountain; Dodge Trail - the bridge over Flood Brook has been completely refurbished in 2022; the trail is open to the Notch Trail. however, the trail which once lead to Window Rock is closed; a bridge over Black Bear Brook on the Notch Trail was replaced in 2021 which allows a 1.5 mile loop that includes the Notch Trail to the High Meadow.

Bear Paw Pond Conservation Area (1000 Hazen's Notch Road): Dark Entry, Woodfern Loop, Little Dipper, Dogtooth, Northstar, Coyote Meadow and Sugar House trails.

Welcome Center: Hayfield Loop below the Welcome Center and Barn, Coyote Meadow Trail starts 0.2 miles West of the Welcome Center and is an additional access point for the Bear Paw Pond Area.

The Hazen's Notch Trails are maintained and managed by the Hazen's Notch Association, a non-profit conservation organization in Montgomery, Vermont. Ten landowners generously allow 15 miles of trails to pass over 1,500 acres of private land for public use. Ensure continued landowner generosity for public access to private lands by obeying the rules listed here and on posted signs. Please respect private property and landowner privacy by staying away from all dwellings, camps and outbuildings.

In Winter, trails are open from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM daily. Trails are not open at night. When snow cover is thin, trails are icy or thawing conditions exist, trails may be closed for user safety and to prevent further deterioration of trail surfaces. Observe all "Trails Closed" signs to ensure personal safety. Snowboarding, Snowmobiling and All Terrain Vehicles are not allowed. Winter trail access is from the Welcome Center only. There is no trail access at the High Ponds Farm in Winter. The Welcome Center is not staffed and is not open in Winter.

Skiing / Ski De Fonds

  • Question: Where do the trails for Moosewood Ponds, the High Meadow, Little Rock Pond and Bear Paw Pond hide?

  • Answer: Moosewood Ponds and the High Meadow are at the High Ponds Farm located at 478 Rossier Road in Montgomery.

  • Little Rock Pond and Bear Paw Pond are located at 1000 Hazen's Notch Road in Montgomery.

The Hazen's Notch Trails are open in winter for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Since 1978 an area use fee was charged in winter. There is no longer a fee for using the trails in any season. The Welcome Center is not staffed and is not open in Winter. Winter trail access is from the Welcome Center parking area only. There is no trail access at the High Ponds Farm in Winter.

Stay on marked trails. Landowners have granted permission for use of the marked trails only. Areas that lie both outside and within the marked trails are not open to the public. Respect "Trail Closed" signs where present. Do not bushwack. Snowboarding, Snowmobiling and ATV's are not allowed.

Trails, parking areas and private roads and driveways may be closed at any time at landowners' discretion. Please observe and respect all signs, barriers, and gates. Please do not litter. If you carried it in - carry it out. Thank you!

Snowshoeing / Raquettes

All of the Hazen's Notch Trails are open to snowshoeing. Several trails are dedicated to snowshoeing and are marked with the snowshoer symbol. While snowshoers may occasionally encounter skiers on these dedicated snowshoeing trails, snowshoeing trails are ungroomed. The Welcome is not staffed and not open in Winter.

Stay on marked trails. Respect "Trail Closed" signs where present. Winter trail access is from the Welcome Center only. There is no trail access at the High Ponds Farm in Winter.

Trails, parking areas and private roads and driveways may be closed at any time at landowners' discretion. Please observe and respect all signs, barriers, and gates. Please do not litter. If you carried it in - carry it out. Thank you!

Trails Fee / Billets des Sentiers

There is no charge for the use of trails in any season. Donations help meet the many expenses associated with the maintenance and management of the HNA trails. Thank you!

Winter Hiking / La Marche en Hiver

From December 20 to April 15, trail users must use either snowshoes or skis unless the ground is bare. Walking on trails in winter deteriorates the condition of the snow surface. The resulting "post holes" can create a hazard for others. Winter Hiking, therefore, is not allowed.

Attention: The new landowner to the East of the HNA Welcome Center has closed all access to his property. As a result, the East Meadows Trail is no longer available to the public.

Open trails: Hayfield Loop below the barn at the HNA Welcome Center; Coyote Meadow Trail which ascends from Route 58 a short distance to the West of the HNA Welcome Center; from the intersection of Coyote Meadow Trail, Sugar House Trail and Woodfern Loop: Sugar House Trail, Northstar, Dark Entry to the Old Sugar House; Sugar House Trail back to Coyote Meadow and uphill to junction with Beaver Ponds Trail; continuing on Beaver Ponds Trail to the Moosewood Ponds; High Meadow Trail to Sunset Ridge Trail to summit of Burnt Mountain; at Bear Paw Pond Conservation Area: Dark Entry, Dogtooth, Woodfern Loop, Little Dipper are all open.

Closed trails: East Meadows Trail.

Summer & Fall Hiking / La Marche en Été et Automne

Approximately 10 miles of the Hazen's Notch trail network are open for walking and hiking in Summer and Fall. These trails are located at the High Ponds Farm, a privately owned nature preserve located in the Hazen's Notch Area of Montgomery, Vermont. At the High Ponds Farm, visit the Moosewood Ponds to see beavers and wildflowers. Above the Moosewood Ponds, the High Meadow with its beautiful views is a great destination for a picnic.

In Summer and Fall, trails are open from sunrise to sunset. Trails, parking areas and private roads and driveways may be closed at any time at landowners' discretion. Please observe and respect all signs, barriers, and gates. Thank you !

Stay on marked trails. Respect "Trail Closed" signs where present. Please do not litter. If you carried it in - carry it out. Thank you!

Spring / En Printemps

Spring Mud Season: Trails are closed during Spring Mud Season. Starting in the third week of April, walkers may enjoy the flowers and song birds. At the High Ponds Farm do not walk past the High Meadow. The trail to the summit of Burnt Mountain will open in mid May. Thank you for your cooperation.

Hazen's Notch Road Conditions: Contact the Town of Montgomery Tel: 802.326.4719.

Group Visits / Visites des groupes

Please note that while the HNA Trails are open to the public at no charge in the summer, a fee is charged for groups. This includes school, home school, church or other community groups. This includes both non-profit and for-profit groups and whether your visit is self-directed or facilitated by HNA staff.

There are many costs associated with the management of trails that are open to the public. Group use fees and membership contributions help the HNA office to meet these expenses. Please contact the HNA office to arrange your group visit. Thank you.

Dogs / Chiens

Dogs are not allowed on trails in the Winter. In Summer and Fall, pets must be kept on a short leash at all times.


Picnicing / Picnique

Picnicing is permitted at the High Ponds Farm on the Rossier Road and at Bear Paw Pond and Little Rock Pond on the Hazen's Notch Road. A picnic shelter is located near the Moosewood Ponds on the High Ponds Farm. The High Meadow is also a good place to enjoy a lunch or snack while taking in the panoramic view. Fires are not allowed at any time. Thank you!

Hunting / La chasse

More Information on hazensnotch.org

Hunting on the High Ponds Farm is restricted to the rifle and muzzle loader portions of the whitetail deer season. In addition, hunting for ruffed grouse and woodcock are permitted during the regular season only.

The following are NOT ALLOWED: Bear Hunting, Bow Hunting, Tree Stands, Trapping, & Fishing. Hunters as well as hikers can respect their own safety as well as others by wearing an article of clothing that is in blaze orange. Observe all signs restricting public access to ensure continued hunting in the Hazen's Notch Area. Thank you!

Please observe the following restrictions:

The following are NOT ALLOWED: Fires, Camping, Tree Cutting, Plant Collecting, Motorized Vehicles & Bicycles, Snowboarding, Boating, Wading, Swimming, Radios, Overnight Parking & Commercial Activities.
Thank you very much for your cooperation in observing the above rules of use.

Trails, parking areas and private roads and driveways may be closed at any time at landowners' discretion. Please observe and respect all signs, barriers, and gates. Thank you !