The Vernal Pool

Late October and early November rains brought the vernal pool to life;


The plantation's newest trail sports high quality signage and an excellent example of this natural phenomena.


The vernal pool area shown above was completely dry in late summer and looked like this:













According to www.vernalpool.org,

A vernal pool is a contained basin depression lacking a permanent above ground outlet. In the Northeast, it fills with water with the rising water table of fall and winter or with the meltwater and runoff of winter and spring snow and rain. Many vernal pools in the Northeast are covered with ice in the winter months. They contain water for a few months in the spring and early summer. By late summer, a vernal pool is generally (but not always) dry.

November snapshots

A look northeast from the petroleum pipeline right-of-way during a mid-November hike.


















The bog from near the bog spur trail intersection

About Smithfield Plantation

The Smithfield Plantation is a 103 acre plot of land in the town of Litchfield, Maine, which has been set aside as conservation land; it borders Libby-road and Huntington Hill-road. A significant amount of hours have been provided by local residents and groups in developing several walking trails, an outdoor amphitheater, signage, educational displays, and continuing maintenance of same.

While the name "Smithfield Plantation" currently designates this relatively small portion of Litchfield, the name comes from two brothers named Smith who first settled in the area under land grants from the Plymouth Colony. The original Smithfield Plantation comprised a much larger area than the current dimensions of the reservation and the town itself; apparently portions of the plantation were annexed over the years between 1817 and 1867 and became part of several adjacent towns.
Litchfield, as a town, was incorporated in 1795 (at least that is the official date used for our 200th anniversary; I have seen a reference to an incorporation date of 18-February-1798 as well). Check out a brief monogram on Litchfield history as noted in 1886.

The Smithfield Plantation as conserved land held in public trust began around 1986 and the Smithfield Plantation Trustees were organized to provide oversight and guidance of this local treasure.

A Mid-October visit

Wow! Pine needles and oak leaves learning about the Maples.

A late in the day trip found the shadows of fall leaves

Lillies on the bog






The setting sun lands on an old stump