At this site, in warm weather, one can see one of the larger patches of submerged pondweeds, the lily pads, which indicate that the Pond is entering succession. Also, like at the bridge at Marker 2, one can see the rusty orange sheen and deposits of the iron reducing bacteria in the shallow water of the Pond.
Alders, pokeweed, and blackberries grow at this site. The logs just to the north of this site offer perches for sunning turtles in warm weather. Historically, this marker is interesting, because at one time there was a bridge and spillway here that connected the two ponds. In the trail improvements, it was closed off.
Behind here, one can see a Rhododendron patch on the moist hillside, indicative of the differences in microclimate between here and Marker 2. Also, behind the Rhododendron is the Pond terminus of Lady Slipper Trail which leads to the Ridge Trail part of Horse Nettle.
Between here and the next two markers, one walks along the North facing slope which, indicated by the abundance of Rhododendron and mosses and lichens on the forest floor, is a much cooler and moister microclimate than at Markers 9,1 and 2. From the high shoreline one can often spot the shadowy bulk of snapping turtles floating near the surface in the summertime and various fish, bass, catfish, and pickerel among them, at the surface too.
