New Trails at Morey Mountain Conservation Area

The new trail system at Morey Mountain Conservation Area in Fairlee, VT is ready just in time for Fourth of July weekend! The Upper Valley Land Trust (UVLT) is holding a socially distanced trail opening for the brand new trails starting July 4th and running through July 12th. UVLT encourages everyone to spend some time this week getting outside and visiting the new trails. 

What is a socially distanced trail event? Along the trails UVLT staff, who normally lead hikes in person, have placed signage describing the natural communities and interesting facts about the property. These facts are usually disseminated verbally, but because we can't gather together in groups at this time, the new trail signs will allow visitors to take themselves on a self-guided tour. UVLT has also implemented a touchless selfie station near the beginning of the trail where visitors can take photos of their group at the property. Visitors are encouraged to post the selfies and other photos to social media and tag them using the hashtag #WeLoveMoreyMountain. Photos will be shared on UVLT social media profiles throughout the week.  

The new trail system at Morey Mountain was built in June by volunteers from Hypertherm as a part of UVLT's Corporate Volunteer Program. Four miles of looping trails run through the majority of the property from the Lake Morey Road parking lot, up through the forest, and eventually connecting with the Palisades trail to a beautiful lookout over Route 5 and the Connecticut River. 

The property lies near another UVLT-owned property – Cliff’s Cliff at the Palisades – and is within a larger area identified as a “hot spot” by the VT agency of Natural Resources due to an abundance of rare, endangered, or threatened species.The property includes portions of a Hemlock-Sphagnum Acidic Basin Swamp, a natural community considered rare in the State of Vermont, as well as vascular plants considered rare or extremely rare in the state. The eastern portion of the property buffers an active nesting area for peregrine falcons, making careful management of this area of critical importance to the success of the birds.

Families have been enjoying the beauty and splendor of Lake Morey and its surrounding hills in Fairlee for generations.The lake gathers far flung family members for holidays and vacations, and provides an idyllic location for year round activities. The lake has played a pivotal role in the development of the town, one of the oldest lake communities in Vermont. An intense sense of tradition surrounds the Lake Morey community, and the extraordinary setting keeps families coming back year after year.

In 2017, with an eye towards protecting and enhancing this environment, the Lake Morey Foundation joined with UVLT to protect the 148 acres that today encompass Morey Mountain Conservation Area. The hillside, which forms the eastern scenic backdrop to the lake, was threatened by development. In an inspiring grassroots effort, the Lake Morey Foundation raised more than $400,000 to purchase this property. In June of 2018, they gave the land to UVLT to own and manage for conservation stewardship as the Morey Mountain Conservation Area.