A wonderful mile-long hiking trail has been created on Coon Mountain. It wends its way gently through hardwoods and pines to the 1,000 ft. summit. The trail was developed by the ANC/ALT so more people could enjoy the 246-acre preserve open to the public. Teenagers from Landmark Volunteers, a national group providing volunteer projects for youth, trimmed trees, cut brush and created the foot path.
Coon Mountain's history includes the location of William Gilliland's death, logging for charcoal to supply the nearby forge (Merriam's) during the Civil War, and talks of ghost and panthers. The mountain has five small rocky summits surrounded by a fairly dry and open red oak/white pine forest community. Within this forest are very small wetland pockets including a vernal pool. The remainder of the preserve is predominantly hemlock-northern hardwood and beech-maple forest with a wide variety of flora and fauna. Wildflowers are abundant in the spring and hawks may be seen from the rocky outcrops.
Directions to Coon Mountain: From Route 22 in Wadhams, go about one mile north to Morrison Road, a dirt road on the right. Cross the Boquet River on the bridge and go straight through the intersection onto Halds Road. A small parking lot is on the left about 0.8 miles from the Boquet River.
Enjoy your hike and vistas of Lake Champlain and the Adirondacks. This area is open to the public for recreational, educational and scientific pursuits. To help ensure the continued protection and preservation of this area and its natural features, please: