Black Mountain rises abruptly from the West River in Dummerston to

a horseshoe ridge with a summit of 1,280 feet. The mountain

originated as a mass of molten rock deep beneath the surface of the
earth between 345 and 395 million years ago. Magma rose from
beneath the crust of the earth and intruded into the native rock,
forming a granite dome. Over the past 350 million years or so, erosion
has exposed the granite that forms the core of the mountain.

The Nature Conservancy recently purchased an additional 2 parcels

totalling 251 acres on the mountain, nearly doubling the amount of
protected lands here to 593 acres.

The lower slopes of the mountain are covered by pine, hemlock, and
hardwood forests. As you hike up the mountain the dominant tree
species change with the geology, elevation, and soil moisture of the
site. Near the top youll come across a 70-acre pitch pine-oak- heath
rocky summit woodland community normally associated with the
sandy areas of New Englands coastal plains. There is also a 100-acre
red pine community clearly visible from the village of West
Dummerston. A large population of mountain laurel produces a
magnificent display of showy pink flowers in June.

Four plant species found at Black Mountain are very rare in the state
of Vermont including pitch pine and scrub oak trees, which are at the
northern end of their range here. Black Mountains high plant
diversity is due in part to the horseshoe shape of the mountain, which
creates a water collecting bowl that produces ideal conditions for
moist forests, streams, and wetlands different from the drier portions
of the mountain.

The complex of dry ridgetop communities on Black Mountains rugged

granite contours is exemplary for the region.

There is a trail here with access from Rice Farm Road. The ascent to
the summit is a difficult, 1.5-mile climb. Please read our preserve
visitation guidelines.

Directions

From 1-91, get off at Exit 4 to Putney. Take a left off the exit ramp and
go south 2.4 miles on Route 5 and turn right on the East West Road.
Continue through East Dummerston and Dummerston Center for 4.5
miles and turn left onto Quarry Road (unpaved), just before the
covered bridge over the West River. Go south on Quarry Road. At 1.4
miles the road becomes Rice Farm Road at an out-of-service, green
steel bridge across the West River. From here keep going 0.5 mile to a
parking pull-off on the right. The natural area is across the road from
the pull-off, up a long grassy drive on the left. The trail is marked with
a sign.

From Brattleboro, travel north on Route 30 about 6.6 miles to East

West Road and take a right onto this road to cross the West River at
the covered bridge. Just across the river, take a right onto Quarry
Road and travel south on it, following the directions above from
Quarry Road.
From Eves: Drive past my house -- stay on black mt. Red for the
next 2.5-3miles ( I forget the exact mileage))
You will pass fox farm rd on your left
Rice farm rd on left ( bear right to avoid)
After rice farm, rd will go up gently and come to what looks like
an end-- bear right to stay on black mtn
In about half pass dutton farm rd on your right ( bear left)
Rd goes gently up
In abt .5-1mile start looking for gate to black mtn woods walk on
your left
Turn arnd and park near the gate