Haystack Mountain (Vermont) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Haystack Mountain |
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Haystack Pond as seen from Haystack Mountain
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 3,445 ft (1,050 m) |
| Prominence | 384 ft (117 m) |
| Geography | |
| Location | Wilmington, Vermont, U.S. |
| Parent range | Green Mountains |
| Climbing | |
| Easiest route | Hiking trail |
Haystack Mountain is a mountain in Wilmington, Vermont. It is part of the Green Mountains range. The mountain's top is 3,445 feet (1,049 meters) high. It is connected by a ridge to Mt. Snow to the north.
Haystack Mountain has a pointy top and a large, deep lake right below it. From the summit, you can see amazing views all around. Local plans say Haystack Mountain is a very important landmark. It offers beautiful views from many spots in Wilmington. Many hiking trails lead to its top, giving you a great view of the valley. In 1861, Edward Hitchcock called Haystack Mountain "one of the wildest, most rugged, and imposing peaks" in Southern Vermont.
Haystack Pond
Just below the top of Haystack Mountain, at 2,984 feet high, is Haystack Pond. This pond is about 36 acres in size. It is surrounded by wetlands and can only be reached by a hiking trail. Its location on the mountainside makes it a beautiful sight. You can enjoy its beauty from the mountain's top or from its shore.
Nearby is Crystal Pond, which is about three acres. It is now surrounded by woods and wetlands. Binny Brook connects Haystack Pond to Crystal Pond. This brook then flows down Haystack Mountain. It eventually empties into the Harriman Reservoir.
Why Haystack Pond is Unique
Haystack Pond is special because it does not support fish or other water animals. This is because its water is very acidic. Scientists took samples from the bottom of the pond. These samples show that the pond's water was acidic between 1700 and 1925. This explains why attempts to put fish in the pond in the late 1800s did not work.
From 1925 to 1970, the pond became even more acidic. This was due to acid rain from pollution in the air. Since then, the pond's acidity has returned to its earlier levels.
Exploring Haystack Mountain
The Haystack Mountain Ski Area is located on the northeast side of Haystack Mountain. It covers 834 acres. Chimney Hill is a neighborhood with many homes. It is on the lower southeast side of the mountain.
Most of Haystack Mountain is part of the Green Mountain National Forest. You can find hiking trails open to the public. These trails go from the Chimney Hill neighborhood all the way to the mountain's peak. Another trail goes around the west side of the summit. It passes Haystack Pond and connects to a ridge trail. This ridge trail leads to the top of Mt. Snow.
