Hidden Valley Nature Center
Egypt Rd., Jefferson, Maine
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.
- Our base of supporters has been growing steadily. We have the fiscal support of over 160 adults in Midcoast Maine through annual donations. At the main trailhead kiosk, other users are invited to make a $5 per day contribution to help cover the cost of maintaining and grooming the trails and facilities– and, of course, to consider becoming supporters.
- We have offered over 50 educational programs attracting in excess of 400 attendees.
- We estimate over 2000 visits in 2009.
- We have over 50 interpretive signs on the property, identifying different plant species and explaining significant habitats and other natural and man-made features.
- We have been awarded three grants from New England Grassroots Environmental Fund, Maine Forest Service and Davis Conservation Fund.
- We are certified by Forest Stewardship Council and both practice and demonstrate sustainable forestry.
- We were listed in Down East Magazine as one of the 10 best hikes in Maine.
- We are a regular site of Maine Forest Service Best Practice demonstrations.
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 YURT
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
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 
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