There is slight elevation gain on some of the trails, but they are mainly flat. The forest has been professionally managed since 1950, and contains a diverse array of stand types and management history. Shedd Pond is entirely encircled by conservation land and provides a moderate fishery for pickerel.
Portions of this land were settled by the Allen family during colonial times. The Allen family was active in the publishing business and owned considerable commercial property in downtown Augusta. Mr. Edward A.Whitney was on the faculty of Harvard University, where he met John Hemenway and became acquainted with the New England Forestry Foundation (NEFF). He deeded the first parcel of this forest to NEFF in 1955. The property has been under continuous management by NEFF since 1950 when a forest management plan was prepared by forester A.W. Neff. The first timber sale was made in 1950 when 225,000 board feet of marked timber were sold for the stumpage price of $9.07/mbf. Additional timber cuts have been made regularly since 1950. Tree planting on the abandoned fields was begun by Mr. Whitney in the 1940s and continued until 1961. Sixty-one thousand trees were planted under the Soil Bank program. All of the plantations have been thinned except for a few acres south of the former summer house. An internal road system was constructed in the early 1960s, providing access to all portions of the property. In recent years, NEFF has been teaming up with Manomet to establish management planning that grapples with the potential issues facing landowners due to climate change. This has included experimental management in eastern hemlock and white ash stands, as well incorporating invasive species assays into regular timber inventorys.
Visit the New England Forestry Foundation online for more information or contact:
There is one trailhead located on the Worthing Road, but there is more parking available at Scribner Hill Road.
From Augusta: Go west out Rt 100/Rt 11 past all the car dealerships until you hit Prescott Road, take a right there. Continue approximately 2.5 miles, then take a left on Scribner Hill Road. In 0.9 miles, there will be a New England Forestry Foundation sign and a small parking area.
From Belgrade: Head south on Rt 135 (Prescott Rd) for 10 miles, take a left onto Scribner Hill Road. In 0.9 miles, there will be a New England Forestry Foundation sign and a small parking area.
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Soft pine needled trails, old carriage roads w stone walls on either side, snowmobile directional signs to help navigate. Easy hike. Visit should include visiting old cemetery & its haunted rock!
Will try trails on opposite side of Scribner Rd next time for hike that includes the pond.