Pat Shay Lake

Pat Shay Lake features a high quality wild lake surrounded by excellent old growth hemlock hardwood forests, rare on the National Forest on this LTA. Hemlock is regenerating well in canopy gaps and around the stand margins. Immediately north and south of the lake are forests dominated by hemlock with a minor component of sugar maple and yellow birch. Northwest of Pat Shay Lake, sugar maple becomes co-dominant with hemlock. Trees up to 24 inches in diameter are present for both species. The best stands have good old growth characteristics including den trees, large snags, and downed coarse woody debris throughout. The herb layer is dominated by Dryopteris fern species and lycopods. Topography of the uplands is generally rolling with steep slopes bordering the wetlands. In the western half of the complex, a good quality bog pond community and a good quality sedge meadow are divided by a representative early successional stage forest community. Scattered super-canopy white pine are present. The site contains no improved roads, only skidder trails, ski trails, and an access trail to Pat Shay Lake. Rare and uncommon birds include gray jay, black-throated blue warbler, and Nashville warbler. Other notable species are lance-leaved grape fern, least moonwort, and checkered rattlesnake plantain. Pat Shay Lake is owned by the US Forest Service and was designated a State Natural Area in 2007.