About Us

Hidden Valley Nature Center is a community-based and supported nonprofit organization (501c3) in Jefferson, Lincoln County, Maine. It encompasses 800 acres of diverse, unspoiled land. Its 25 miles of trails connect Little Dyer Pond with one of the most ecologically diverse and undeveloped roadless tracts of forestland in the region, comprising over 11,000 acres, as identified by Sheepscot Valley Conservation Association. It is a gem of wilderness in the midst of the rapidly developing Midcoast region.

Hidden Valley seeks to inspire sound stewardship of natural resources by providing a unique community outdoor center that encourages people to learn from, exercise in, and interact with their environment.

A core group currently runs the day-to-day operations at Hidden Valley. A committed group of professionals – ornithologists, ecologists, naturalists, geologists, artists and foresters – conduct educational programs on nature-based subjects and traditional but disappearing outdoor skills. Hidden Valley has a Retired But Not Tired Program that gets retired folks outside helping with trail-making and construction projects.
Gary Hayward, a Maine Guide and Director of Hidden Valley, oversees the rental of the cabins and campsites, is the principal manager of the property and offers his guiding services for fishing, hiking, and canoeing on the property.

Our Mission rests on three interrelated pillars: recreation, education, and sustainable forestry.

Recreation. Hidden Valley offers an affordable “wilderness experience” close to home, unique in Midcoast Maine. Though privately owned, all of the land is accessible to the public through a long-term lease between Hidden Valley Nature Center and the property owners .  Hidden Valley maintains three cabins and several campsites for overnight stays; the property includes steep rock walls, gorges, vernal pools, many small ponds, a 100-acre “great pond,” and a sustainably managed forest. It has become a popular destination for hiking, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, camping, bird watching, canoeing, ice fishing, bike-riding, rock-climbing and skating. Chewonki, Wavus Camp for Girls and Summit Achievement have used Hidden Valley for overnight trips and staff training, yet this is only a fraction of the property’s potential use.
Our 25 mile trail system has become a magnet for cross-country ski and snowshoe enthusiasts. Selective grooming of the trails makes them enjoyable when trail conditions at other venues render them temporarily unusable. This also offers opportunities for more experienced winter sports enthusiasts to break trail on ungroomed trails following fresh snowfall. The 2009 winter season at Hidden Valley saw two more weeks of use than other ski/snowshoe venues in the area due to our care of the trails. Winter sports will be an important focus of expanded programs for school-age children. 

Education. Education programs have focused on topics such as ecology, geology, birds, wild plants, wilderness survival skills, animal tracking, orienteering, mycology, and sustainable forestry. With small grants from Maine Forest Service and New England Grassroots Environmental Fund, we have conducted an inventory of the plants found at Hidden Valley and are developing an interpretive guide. Plants are labeled and signs describe unusual or rare ecological, biological, silvicultural or geological communities. The guide will focus on the trails close to the main gate so that school children and others less able bodied can take advantage of this learning experience. Plans are underway to host a Project Learning Tree training specifically designed around Hidden Valley’s forests. We anticipate that teachers as well as private citizens will use our guide and labels as an enjoyable educational tool, inspiring responsible action on behalf of the environment.


Sustainable Forestry. Hidden Valley provides a showcase of exemplary forestry practices intended to motivate loggers and landowners to adopt sustainable forestry practices. Our forest is certified by the Forest Stewardship Council, the highest certification available. Hidden Valley has received modest support since 2006 from state and federal sources for timber stand improvement, water quality protection, and habitat improvement. Hidden Valley Nature Center has served as a Maine Forest Service demonstration site for several innovative projects. We have also held a successful “Chainsaw Course for Women”. 
Our innovative “Stump-to-Hut” project involved the every step of the construction of an on-site log cabin from low grade pine logs, (of little or no commercial value otherwise) including tree selection, harvesting, milling on site with locally owned small scale saw mill. We also held a successful timber framing class with the goal of teaching a traditional natural resource-based Maine occupation. The workshop taught basic joinery options and provided hands-on experience while building a small shed.

 

 

 

 

TRAILS

The trails start at the gate on the west side of the Egypt Road in Jefferson, .6 miles south of Rt. 215, 3.4 miles north of Rt. 194. A small parking lot can accommodate 15 cars and road side parking is available for overflow. PLEASE DO NOT BLOCK THE GATE. A kiosk is located .3 miles in and displays a map of the trails.

Some of the 25 miles of trails (Round Trip from Kiosk) :

Bowl Loop Trail (3 miles) through mixed forest, encircles a major trail system that features choice wildlife habitat and picturesque glacial formations including featuring a 30 foot high rock face.

Reed Meadow Trail (1.5 miles) meanders along a secluded wooded stream with wild calla lilies, opening into a mature beaver meadow and rising to pleasant glen overlooks.

Slick Rock Trail (2.2 miles) gently descends through canopied forest to Little Dyer Pond (100 acres) with picnic table, swimming and campsite. Rental canoes available.

Two Dog Pond Trail (1.5 miles) winds through sustainably harvested forest (Forest Stewardship Council certified "green"), pauses by a pair of delightful hidden forest pools near a relaxing glen overlook descending to meet Reed Meadow Trail.

Kidney Pond Trail (2 miles) connects a trail system around Kidney Pond and Sugar Hill (a sweet ski trail) with a variety of forest and pond openings for wildlife viewing.

Dyer Pond Trail (2 miles) leads to remote and quiet Little Dyer pond.

Hermit Thrush Trail (2 miles) leads to Hermit Hut (overnight camping) near the inlet of Little Dyer Pond.


Descriptions of the Yurt and Huts - All Available to Rent

THE YURTyurt connie gary

Constructed in the fall of 2006, 20 feet in diameter. Sleeps 6+
6 bunk beds with mattresses
skylight
big deck with outside grill
woodstove, firewood
2 burner gas camp stove (to be used outside)
3 pots (one coffee pot)
kitchen table
8 chairs, many stools
outhouse
outside picnic table
battery operated lantern

You should bring:
what you would bring on a backpacking trip like a personal mug, utensils, eating bowl or plate (paper plates can be burned in stove)
sleeping bags
all your water/food
toilet paper
utensils/cookware
headlamps/flashlight
candles/lights/matches
D batteries for lantern
map
propane canister for camp stove

TWO DOG HUT

2 dog hut

Constructed in summer 2008 from pine logs from nearby woods.

Sleeps 2-4+
10x12 inside space with sleeping loft for 2 (floor and porches can sleep others)
wood stove and wood
2 outside covered porches each 6x12'
clear roofing to see through
water pot, fry pan
2 rocking chairs, one low table
outhouse
picnic table nearby

You should bring the same as for YURT plus:
pads if you want more than the thin pads on loft beds
all cooking gear
cook stove and fuel (heating food can be done on wood stove)

HERMIT HUT hermit hut

Retrofitted Nov. 2008 with help of Alternative Sentencing Program.

Sleeps 6+
13x18' interior space
4 bunk beds inside, 2 on porch (all with thin pads)
enclosed/screened porch 13x8'
3 rocking chairs
cooking shelf
bench/shelf
couple of water pots
woodstove and firewood
outhouse
outside picnic table

You should bring the same as for Two Dog Hut.


ACTIVITIES


Maine Guide Services available
Nature walks
Hiking & biking
Map & Compass Instruction
Yurt/Hut Overnights - Meals can be provided
All Season Camping
Birding
Canoeing and Fishing a remote Maine Pond
Rock Climbing
Cross Country Skiing
Snowshoeing
Winter Tracking
Ice Fishing
Ice Skating
Yoga in the Yurt
Creative Writing & Art
Low Impact Sustainable Forestry Education and Demonstrations

Flora and Fauna of HVNC

Trees

Abies balsamea, Balsam Fir
Acer pensylvanicum, Striped Maple
Acer rubrum, Red Maple
Acer sacchar, Sugar Maple
Acer spicatum, Mountain Maple
Betula alleghaniensis, Yellow Birch
Betula papyrifera, Paper Birch
Betula populifolia, Gray Birch
Carpinus caroliniana, Ironwood
Cornus alternifolia, Alternate-leaved Dogwood
Fagus grandifolia, American Beech
Fraxinus Americana, White Ash
Fraxinus nigra, Black Ash
Larix laricina, Tamarack
Ostrya virginiana, Hophornbeam
Picea mariana, Black Spruce
Picea rubens, Red Spruce
Pinus resinosa, Red Pine
Pinus strobus, Eastern White Pine
Populus grandidentata, Bigtooth Aspen
Populus tremuloides, Quaking Aspen 
Prunus pensylvanica, Pin Cherry
Prunus serotina, Black Cherry
Quercus alba, White Oak
Quercus ilicifolia, Scrub Oak
Quercus rubra, Northern Red Oak
Quercus velutina, Black Oak
Tsuga canadensis, Eastern Hemlock 
Ulmus Americana, American Elm

 

Shrubs
Alnus incana ssp. rugosa Speckled Alder
Amelancher sp. Shadbush sp.
Aronia melanocarpa Black Chokeberry
Cephalanthus occidentalis Buttonbush
Chamaedaphne caliculata Leatherleaf
Comptonia peregrina Sweet Fern
Corylus americana American Hazelnut
Corylus cornuta Beaked Hazelnut
Crataegus sp. Hawthorn sp.
Diervilla lonicera Bush Honeysuckle
Gaylussacia baccata Black Huckleberry
Hamamelis virginiana Witch Hazel
Ilex verticillata Common Winterberry
Juniperus communis Common Juniper
Kalmia angustifolia Sheep Laurel
Ledum groenlandicum Labrador Tea
Lonicera canadensis Northern Fly Honeysuckle
Lyonia ligustrina Maleberry
Myrica gale Sweet Gale
Nemopanthus mucronatus Mountain Holly
Prunus virginiana Chokecherry
Rhododendron canadense Rhodora
Rhus glabra Smooth Sumac
Rhus hirta Staghorn Sumac
Ribes sp. Currant sp.
Rosa palustris Swamp Rose
Rosa virginiana Field Rose
Rubus allegheniensis Blackberry
Rubus hispidus Swamp Dewberry
Rubus idaeus Red Raspberry
Rubus pubescens Dwarf Raspberry
Salix discolor Pussy Willow
Salix sp. Willow sp.
Salix sp. Willow sp.
Sambucus canadensis Common Elderberry 
Sambucus pubens Red-berried Elder
Spiraea latifolia Meadowsweet
Spiraea tomentosa Steeplebush
Toxicodendron vernix Poison Sumac
Vaccinium angustifolium Lowbush Blueberry
Vaccinium corymbosum Highbush Blueberry
Vaccinium macrocarpon Large Cranberry 
Vaccinium sp. Blueberry sp.
Viburnum acerifolium Maple-leaved Viburnum
Viburnum cassinoides Witherod
Viburnum lentago Nannyberry
Viburnum recognitum Northern Arrowwood
Vines
Amphicarpa bracteata Hog Peanut
Apios americana Groundnut
Clematis virginiana Virgin’s Bower
Parthenocissus vitacea Virginia Creeper
Polygonum scandens Climbing False Buckwheat
Smilax herbacea Carrionflower
Toxicodendron rydbergii Western Poison Ivy
Herbaceous
                                 Calico Aster
Agalinis sp. Gerardia
Agrimonia sp. Agrimony sp.
Ambrosia artemisiifolia Common Ragweed
Anaphalis margaritacea Pearly Everlasting
Anemone quinquefolia Wood Anemone
Apocynum androsaemifolium Spreading Dogbane
Aralia nudicaulis Wild Sarsaparilla
Aralia racemosa Spikenard
Arisaema sp. Jack-in-the –pulpit
Asclepias syriaca Common Milkweed
Athyrium filix-foemina Lady Fern
Avens sp.
Berberis thunbergii* Japanese Barberry
Bidens cernua Nodding Bur Marigold 
Bidens connata Swamp Beggar Ticks
Botrychium sp. Grape Fern sp.
Brasenia schreberi Water Shield
Bromus sp.
Calamagrostis canadensis Blue-joint Grass 
Calla palustris Wild Calla
Carex sp.
Chelone glabra Turtlehead
Cicuta bulbifera Bulb-bearing Water Hemlock
Cicuta maculata Water Hemlock
Circaea alpina Dwarf Enchanter’s Nightshade
Clintonia borealis Bluebead
Comandra umbellata Star Toadflax
Coptis trifolia Goldthread
Cornus canadensis Bunchberry
Corydalis sempervirens Pink Corydalis 
Cypripedium acaule Pink Lady’s Slipper
Danthonia spicata Common Wild Oat Grass
Daucus carota* Queen Anne’s Lace
Dennstaedtia punctilobula Hay-scented Fern
Dicanthelium sp.
Doellingeria umbellata Flat-topped Aster
Dryopteris intermedia American Shield Fern
Dryopteris marginalis Evergreen Wood Fern
Dryopteris sp.
Dulichium arundinaceum Three Way Sedge
Echinochloa Crus-galli Barnyard Grass
Eleocharis sp.
Epilobium sp. Willow Herb
Equisetum sp.
Erechtites hieracifolia Pilewort
Erigereon annuus Daisy Fleabane
Erigeron canadensis Horseweed
Eupatorium perfoliatum Boneset
Eurybia macrophylla Large-leaved Aster
Euthamia graminifolia Lance-leaved Goldenrod
Fragaria virginiana Wild Strawberry
Galium palustre Marsh Bedstraw
Gaultheria procumbens Teaberry
Glyceria canadensis Rattlesanke-grass 
Gnaphalium uliginosum Low Cudweed
Goodyera pubescens Downy Rattlesnake Plantain
Habenaria sp.
Hieracium canadense Canada Hawkweed
Hieracium paniculatum Panicled Hawkweed
Hieracium sp. Hawkweed sp.
Houstonia caerulea Bluet
Hydrocotyle americana Water Pennywort
Hypericum mutilum Dwarf St. Johnswort
Hypericum sp.
Hypericum virginicum Marsh St. Johnswort
Impatiens capensis Jewelweed
Iris versicolor Larger Blue Flag
Juncus canadensis Canada Rush
Juncus effusus Soft Rush
Juncus sp.
Lactuca canadensis Wild Lettuce
Lechea sp. Pinweed sp.
Leersia sp.
Lobelia inflata Indian Tobacco 
Lonicera morrowii* Morrow’s Honeysuckle
Lonicera sp.*
Lycopodium sp.
Lycopus americanus Water Horehound
Lycopus uniflorus Northern Bugleweed
Lysimachia ciliata Fringed Loosestrife
Lysimachia quadrangulata Whorled Loosestrife
Maianthemum canadense Wild Lily-of-the-valley
Medeola virginiana Indian Cucumber Root
Melampyrum lineare Cowwheat
Mitchella repens Partridgeberry
Monotropa uniflora Indian Pipe
Nasturtium officinale Watercress
Nuphar lutea Bullhead Lily
Oclemena acuminata Whorled Wood Aster
Oclemena nemoralis Bog Aster
Oenothera biennis Evening Primrose
Onoclea sensibilis Sensitive Fern
Osmunda cinnamomea Cinnamon Fern
Osmunda claytoniana Interrupted Fern
Osmunda regalis Royal Fern 
Oxalis sp.
Phegopteris connectilis Long Beech Fern
Plantago major* Common Plantain
Poa compressa* Flat-stemmed Meadow Grass
Polygola paucifolia Fringed Polygola
Polygola sanguina Purple Milkwort
Polygonatum pubescens Hairy Solomon’s Seal
Polygonum amphibium Water Smartweed
Polygonum arifolium Halberd-leaved Tearthumb
Polygonum sagittatum Arrow-leaved Tearthumb
Polygonum sp.
Polypodium virginianum Common Polypody
Polystichum acrostichoides Christmas Fern
Pontedaria cordata Pickerelweed
Potentilla simplex Common Cinquefoil
Prunella vulgaris Self-heal
Pteridium aquilinum Bracken 
Pyrola elliptica Shinleaf
Pyrola rotundifolia Round-leaved Pyrola 
Ranunculus acris* Tall Buttercup
Ranunculus sp. Buttercup sp.
Sagittaria latifolia Common Arrowhead
Sanicula marilandica Black Snakeroot 
Scirpus sp.
Scutellaria epilobiifolia Marsh Skullcap
Scutellaria lateriflora Mad Dog Skullcap
Sisyrinchium sp. Blue-eyed Grass sp.
Smilacina racemosa False Solomon’s Seal
Solidago arguta Sharp-leaved Goldenrod
Solidago bicolor Silverrod 
Solidago caesia Blue-stemmed Goldenrod
Solidago canadensis Canada Goldenrod
Solidago gigantea Late Goldenrod
Solidago juncea Early Goldenrod 
Solidago nemoralis Gray Goldenrod
Solidago puberula Downy Goldenrod
Solidago rugosa Rough-stemmed Goldenrod
Sparganium sp. Bur Reed sp. 
Spiranthes cernua Nodding Ladies’ Tresses
Streptopus sp. Twisted Stalk or Rosy Bells
Symphoricarpos albus Snowberry
Symphyotrichum cordifolium Heart-leaved Aster
Symphyotrichum ericoides Heath Aster
Symphyotrichum lanceolatum Panicled Aster
Symphyotrichum puniceum Purlple-stemmed Aster
Symphyotrichum undulatum Wavy-leaved Aster
Thalictrum polygamum Tall Meadow Rue
Thelypteris noveboracensis New York Fern
Thelypteris palustris Marsh Fern
Tiarella cordifolia Foamflower
Trientalis borealis Starflower
Trifolium arvense* Rabbit Foot Clover
Trifolium repens* White Clover
Trillium cernuum Nodding Trillium
Typha latifolia Common Cattail
Uvularia sessilifolia Wild Oats
Verbena hastata Blue Vervain
Veronica officinalis Common Speedwell
Viola fimbriatula Ovate-leaved Violet
Viola sp.
Birds
Corvus brachyrhynchos, American Crow
American Goldfinch
American Robin
Bald Eagle
Strix varia, Barred Owl
Belted Kingfisher
Black and white Warbler
black-backed woodpecker
Parus atricapillus, Black-capped Chickadee
black-throated green warbler
Cyanocitta cristata, Blue Jay
Blue-headed Vireo
broad-winged hawk
Brown Creeper
bufflehead
Canada Goose
canada warbler
Cedar Waxwing
Chipping Sparrow
Common Flicker
common loon
Common Redpoll
Common Yellowthroat
Dark-eyed Junco
Dendrocopos pubescens, Downy Woodpecker
eastern kingbird
Eastern Pewee
Eastern Phoebe
Evening Grosbeak
Golden-crowned Kinglet
great crested flycatcher
Great Horned Owl
Dendrocopos villosus, Hairy Woodpecker
Hermit Thrush
Herring Gull 
hooded merganser
Mallard
Mourning Dove
Corvus corax, Northern Raven
Northern Shrike
northern waterthrush
olive-sided flycatcher
Ovenbird
pied-billed grebe
Hylatomus pileatus, Pileated Woodpecker
Pine Grosbeak
Pine Siskin
Purple Finch
Red Crossbill
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Red-eyed Vireo
Buteo lineatus, Red-shouldered Hawk
Buteo jamaicensis, Red-tailed Hawk
Ruffed Grouse
Scarlet Tanager
Song Sparrow
spotted sandpiper
Swamp Sparrow
Tufted Titmouse
White-breasted Nuthatch
White-throated Sparrow
White-winged Crossbill
wood duck
yellow-bellied sapsucker
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Amphibians
Anurans: Frogs & Toads
Bufo americanus, American Toad
Rana septentrionalis, Mink Frog
Hyla versicolor, Gray Tree Frog
Pseudaris crucifer, Spring Peeper
Rana clamitans, Green Frog
Rana palustris, Pickerel Frog
Rana sylvatica, Wood Frog
Rana pipiens, Northern Leopard Frog
Rana catesbeiana, Bullfrog
Urodeles: Newts & Salamanders
Ambystoma laterale, Blue-spotted Salamander
Ambystoma maculatum, Spotted Salamander
Desmognathus fuscus, Northern Dusky Salamander
Eurycea bislineata, Northern Two-lined Salamander
Notophthalmus viridescens, Eastern Red-spotted Newt
Plethodon cinereus,  Red-backed Salamander
Reptiles
Thamnophis sirtalis, Common Garter Snake
Nerodia sipedon, Northern Water Snake
Thamnophis sauritus, Ribbon Snake
Chrysemys picta, Painted Turtle
Chelydra serpentina, Common Snapping Turtle                                           
Mammals
Castor canadensis, Beaver
Lynx rufus, Bobcat
Canis latrans, Coyote
Tamias striatus, Eastern Chipmunk
Mustela erminea, Short-tailed weasel/ermine
Martes pennanti, Fisher
Glaucomys sabrinus, Flying Squirrel
Sciurus carolinensis, Gray Squirrel
Myotis lucifugus, Little Brown Bat
Mustela vison, Mink
Alces alces, Moose
Mouse sp.
muskrat
Erethizon , Porcupine
Procyon lotor, Raccoon
Vulpes vulpes, Red Fox
Tamiasciurus hudsonicus, Red Squirrel
Lutra canadensis, River Otter
Shrew sp.
Lepus americanus, Snowshoe Hare
Vole sp.
Odocoileus virginianus, White-tailed Deer
Peromyscus leucopus, White-footed Mouse