The Maine Appalachian Trail Land Trust (MATLT) is proud to announce our partnership with the Northeast Wilderness Trust to protect the Moxie Pond parcel — a nearly 1,845-acre property in Somerset County’s Bald Mountain Township that represents one of the most ecologically and scenically significant conservation opportunities along Maine’s Appalachian Trail.
A Landscape That Exemplifies the Maine A.T. Experience
Situated in the Caratunk–Bald Mountain Pond priority focus area, the Moxie Pond parcel lies on the north side of the A.T. corridor between Pleasant Pond Mountain and Moxie Bald Mountain. Nearly 99% of the parcel is visible from the Appalachian Trail, making it one of the most prominent viewshed area along the entire Maine A.T. (among large parcels statewide, Moxie Pond ranks 7th for this metric).
Ecological Significance
The conservation value of this parcel extends well beyond its visual impact. Nearly 98.5% of the property remains undeveloped, and over 92% falls within a identified 34,959-acre ecological core block — part of the greater Caratunk–Bald Mountain Pond landscape. The parcel contains more than 1,077 acres scoring high for climate resilience and is contiguous with approximately 20,000 additional acres of climate-resilient land, making it a vital piece of a much larger refuge for wildlife and native plant communities in a region already feeling the effects of climate change.
Bald Mountain Brook traverses the property before entering Moxie Pond at its southwestern corner, contributing to the parcel’s strong ranking for active river area. These streams are a reflection of the significant elevation gradient from the nearby ridges of Moxie Bald down to the pond’s shore, where water winds down the slopes.
A Rich Cultural and Historical Landscape
The Moxie Pond parcel also carries layers of human history. The shore of Joe’s Hole was once a loading point on the Somerset Railroad, where logs were transferred for rail transport and at least one pre/historic tool-making site documented by the Maine Historic Preservation Commission lies near the shoreline. Today, the western shore of the pond is dotted with recreational camps and the Moxie Pond parcel will be open to the public for outdoor recreation.
Why This Partnership Matters
MATLT’s mission is to permanently protect the lands and waters that make Maine’s Appalachian Trail corridor one of the most treasured stretches of wilderness in the eastern United States. The Moxie Pond parcel is a priority acquisition in the Caratunk–Bald Mountain Pond priority focus area due to sweeping A.T. views, a large ecological core, and intact forest landscape.
We are thrilled to be working alongside the Northeast Wilderness Trust, whose commitment to lasting wild land conservation aligns closely with our own. Together, we are working to ensure that the forests, waters, and wild character of the Moxie Pond landscape remain protected for hikers, wildlife, and future generations.