Witch Hole Pond is a freshwater pond located in the town of East Hampton, New York. It is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts, offering a variety of recreational activities. The pond itself is relatively small, spanning approximately 12 acres in size. It is surrounded by dense forest and wetlands, creating a serene and picturesque setting. The water in Witch Hole Pond is clear and inviting, making it a great spot for swimming, kayaking, and paddleboarding. Fishing is also a popular activity at Witch Hole Pond.
The carriage roads around Witch Hole Pond are considered to be among the highest-use carriage roads in the park. Charlie Jacobi's ( 2001 , 2005 ) studies show that the Paradise Hill, Eagle Lake, Jordan Pond, Bubble Pond, and Witch Hole Pond carriage roads are considered peak usage areas when two other time-related conditions are met. The first other condition for peak-usage zone classification is if it between June 20th and Labor Day, or is the Memorial Day and Indigenous Peoples’ Day weekend. The second condition that causes peak usage is anytime during the hours of 10:00 am and 5:00 pm. In the areas mentioned above, during these select times of year and day, classify peak usage zones for Acadia National Park. When all three of these factors come into play, the park uses different standards for overcrowding and problem behaviors and keeps careful monitoring of these areas.
Witch Hole Pond is a great place to get to know the people who visit Acadia, being close to the visitor center and connections to other carriage road system, but at the same time is a more secluded part of the park in comparison to Eagle Lake or Jordan Pond. Witch Hole Pond is easily accessible from Acadia s Hull s Cove Visitor Center through a half-mile trail that connects to Acadia s carriage roads, which are limited to foot and bike traffic in the Witch Hole Pond loop.
Fishing is also a popular activity at Witch Hole Pond. The pond is stocked with a variety of fish species, including largemouth bass, pickerel, and panfish. Anglers can cast their lines and enjoy a peaceful day of fishing in the tranquil surroundings.
Geography
A few maps focusing on the area of Witch Hole Pond are included below; visit the history section for more historical maps, and see the resources sections for additional maps of Mount Desert Island and Acadia National Park.
Left: One of the most detailed maps of Mount Desert Island ( viewable in full , additional maps ) from 1896 showing the pond as "The Witch Hole." Below: Witch Hole Pond as seen in Acadia National Park's official visitor maps, showing the carriage roads in yellow.
Physical DescriptionMaximum depth : 33 feet
Elevation : 179 feet
Coordinates : N44° 24.089’ W68° 14.374’
Witch Hole Pond is is an hourglass-shaped 28 - acre pond located in the northeast portion of Mount Desert Island in Acadia National Park. Its sole outlet is east to Duck Brook ( the outlet is named "Witch Hole Brook" in the 1896 map above ), which later flows into Frenchman Bay to the northeast.
Witch Hole Pond receives water from an extension that is shaped by beaver activity flowing out toward Paradise Hill Road and Route 3 through a culvert under the carriage road at its northeastern section ( pictured left from near the culvert on the carriage road, below from the carriage road near St. George's Hill ). This area is marked as the north inlet on the black-and-white map created by the Maine Department of Fish and Wildlife ( left) . It also has an input from the southwest from the small connection of ponds labeled "Beaver Ponds" on the top-most map above.
EnvironmentThe majestic geology of Mount Desert Island contributes to the localized conditions of place found across Acadia National Park. Mount Desert Island is founded mainly on intrusive igneous granite. The bedrock of Witch Hole Pond consists of Cadillac granite, pictured below. Cadillac granite is the most common bedrock on the island, formed about 420 million years ago when magma cooled beneath the earth's crust. The different granites are recognizable by their varying mineral composition, for example Cadillac granite has coarse minerals like translucent quartz and iconic pink feldspar ( below) ( Gilman 1988 ; National "Guide's" n.d. ). In geologic terms, Witch Hole Pond formed much more recently, likely a result of retreating glaciers (10,000-20,000 years ago) that formed a hollow that filled with water ( Fischer, 2015 ).
Acadia National Park sits midway up the coast of Maine. The relatively high latitude means that the park receives an average 60 inches of snow a year, and is subject to frequent freezing temperatures. But being surrounded by ocean water means that the park also typically receives rain every month of the year, and has milder temperatures and less snow accumulation than further inland ( National "Guide's" n.d. ). The park receives peak visitation during the summer months, but with warming summers the season is expected to increase visitation and expand the peak tourist season ( National, 2015 ).
PathsWitch Hole Pond is easily accessible from Acadia’s Hull’s Cove Visitor Center through a half-mile trail that connects to Acadia's carriage roads, which are limited to foot and bike traffic in the Witch Hole Pond loop. The 3.1 mile carriage road loop that surrounds Witch Hole Pond traces a majority of its northern side and later bends south to cross over the pond’s slim northeastern portion to continues on towards Duck Brook. ( Below-left: Witch Hole Pond seen looking south from a rock outcropping, the carriage road crosses this northeast section and the marshy area of the pond continues to the left of the frame. Below-right: carriage road viewed looking north, with the marshy area off the right side of the road and continuing off-frame ).
Accessing the majority of the southern side of the pond requires galumphing through stiff and brushy vegetation. The shoreline becomes marshy and indistinguishable in places amidst the growth of tall cattail and other plants near the formation of its outlet to Duck Brook. The carriage roads from the west side of the Witch Hole Pond lopp also connect up, another mile south, to loops around Eagle Lake and other areas of the park. The Witch Hole Pond loop carriage roads are also accessible from Duck Brook Road, which comes off of highway 233 (between Bar Harbor and the park headquarters near Eagle Lake), and is also accessible from a short (.4 mile) trail near the Acadia Inn on Route 3/ Eden Street.
The carriage roads around Witch Hole Pond are considered to be among the highest-use carriage roads in the park. Charlie Jacobi's ( 2001 , 2005 ) studies show that the Paradise Hill, Eagle Lake, Jordan Pond, Bubble Pond, and Witch Hole Pond carriage roads are considered peak usage areas when two other time-related conditions are met. The first other condition for peak-usage zone classification is if it between June 20th and Labor Day, or is the Memorial Day and Indigenous Peoples’ Day weekend. The second condition that causes peak usage is anytime during the hours of 10:00 am and 5:00 pm. In the areas mentioned above, during these select times of year and day, classify peak usage zones for Acadia National Park. When all three of these factors come into play, the park uses different standards for overcrowding and problem behaviors and keeps careful monitoring of these areas.
Acadia National Park defines crowding in these peak zones with the measure of persons per viewscape (PPV): “In the High Use Zone, visitors should see 0 PPV at least 31 minutes of each hour, should see 1-5 PPV no more than 27 minutes of each hour, should see 6-10 PPV no more than 2 minutes out of each hour, and should never see more than 10 PPV” ( Jacobi 2005 p. 3 ). The data for sections of the carriage road system on a per visitor basis are either nonexistent or difficult to locate, but based on Jacobi ( 2005 ) and the Park System’s statistics of around 2,500 visitors total a day on the carriage road system (likely much closer or more than 3,000 ten years later) and an around 15% allotment (based on Jacobi 2001 data), I had previously estimated that around 375-450 people pass near Witch Hole Pond on the carriage roads each peak day. However, after recent contact with Jacobi (personal communication, November 17, 2015) he estimated that around 550 people pass near Witch Hole Pond, inflated for increasing visitation and based off of statistic from Duck Brook and Eagle Lake carriage road usage. Witch Hole Pond is a great place to get to know the people who visit Acadia, being close to the visitor center and connections to other carriage road system, but at the same time is a more secluded part of the park in comparison to Eagle Lake or Jordan Pond.
Human UseMy early visits to Witch Hole Pond were not too far temporally removed from peak usage dates and as a result the carriage roads were teeming with visitors. Because the carriage road system is usually limited to foot, bike, and horse traffic (the park does still have a few horse-pulled carriages run the roads every summer per Jacobi 2001 , 2005 ) it makes them especially appealing to visitors. From my informal observations, the people who walked and ran through this area, were normally in small groups of three or less, and frequently brought their canine companions. The Witch Hole Pond loop is the most active in areas where visitors can enter and leave the carriage road system, like around the famous stone bridge that spans Duck Brook and connects to Duck Brook Road. During my observations at the pond, I saw no human activity on the water. No boating, kayaking, or fishing. Recreational fishing at Witch Hole Pond does occur, usually for the stocked brook trout. During the winter months, the pond freezes over and the carriage roads are groomed used for skiing.
water at the time) ( Liberty 1886 ). Five and a half acres near the bay was later purchased by Mr. and Mrs. Ladd. The Ladd's rebuilt upon the property (due to Sonogee's destruction by fire during some point in the late 1800s). The Ladd's new estate, named "Eegonos" ("Sonogee" spelt backwards) or today "East of Eden" was built in 1910 ( Maine 2015 ).
In addition to water activities, Witch Hole Pond offers several hiking trails that wind through the surrounding woods. These trails provide an opportunity to explore the diverse flora and fauna of the area. Birdwatchers will enjoy the chance to spot a variety of bird species, including herons, kingfishers, and woodpeckers. Witch Hole Pond is not only a haven for outdoor enthusiasts, but it also holds historical significance. The name "Witch Hole" is said to have originated from a local legend. According to the story, the pond was believed to be the site where witches gathered and held their meetings during colonial times. Today, Witch Hole Pond continues to captivate visitors with its natural beauty and recreational opportunities. Whether you are a nature lover, a fishing enthusiast, or simply looking for a peaceful retreat, Witch Hole Pond offers something for everyone..
Reviews for "Witch Hole Pond Wildlife: Discover the Flora and Fauna"
1. John - 2 stars - I found "Witch Hole Pond" to be quite underwhelming. The storyline was unoriginal and predictable, lacking any real depth or intrigue. The characters felt one-dimensional and I couldn't connect with any of them. The writing style didn't captivate me either, as it often felt forced and lacked fluidity. Overall, I was disappointed with this book and wouldn't recommend it.
2. Emily - 3 stars - While "Witch Hole Pond" had an interesting premise, I feel like the execution fell flat. The pacing was incredibly slow, making it a tedious read. The descriptions of the setting were excessive and took away from the development of the story and characters. Additionally, I found the plot twists to be lackluster and the resolution was unsatisfying. Overall, I had higher expectations for this book and it didn't live up to them.
3. Sarah - 2 stars - "Witch Hole Pond" was a disappointment for me. The writing was mediocre, lacking any lyrical or beautiful prose that could have elevated the story. The characters were forgettable and I struggled to care about their fates. Furthermore, the plot felt disjointed and confusing at times, making it hard to follow. Overall, I didn't find anything particularly remarkable about this book and wouldn't recommend it to others.
4. Mark - 1 star - I found "Witch Hole Pond" to be a complete waste of time. The story lacked substance and was filled with clichés and predictable plot points. The characters were uninteresting and their dialogue felt forced and unnatural. The pacing was incredibly slow, making it a struggle to finish the book. Overall, I regret picking up this book and would advise others to steer clear of it.
5. Anna - 2 stars - "Witch Hole Pond" was a dull and uninspiring read. The story lacked originality and failed to captivate my interest. The characters were flat and lacked depth, making it hard to care about their journeys. Additionally, the writing style felt dry and lacked any emotional resonance. Overall, I was disappointed with this book and found it to be forgettable.