Mountain Pond

Mountain Pond Trail is a three-mile trail (in total) that takes you up a moderate incline before leveling out when you reach the pond elevation (roughly 2,400 feet). There is just one relatively steep and rocky section in the middle of the hike. But that is over quickly, allowing you to appreciate the flattish stretch leading to the pond. The elevation gained in the hike is about 650 feet, and you pass through beautiful changing forests as you hike up, from soaring deciduous trees to dense, shadowy spruce-fir.

The destination (reward) is a beautiful, remote pond, which seems to have an air of enchantment about it. Beaver Pond peeks over the trees south of the pond. The pond bottom is a little murky for swimming.

Once you reach the little lollipop loop close to the end of the trail, right before you get to the pond, you can go right and hike up a last steep, short hill and then descend steeply to the pond, or go left over flatter — but possibly wet — terrain.

The trail crosses private land and is well maintained by Trails for Rangeley Coalition (TRAC).

Directions: From Rangeley, follow Route 4 south for 4.5 miles. Turn right on to Edelheid Road and go about a half mile to utility pole #13. (You have to squint to read the numbers.) There is a little trail sign and bench at the trailhead, which is on the right. There is room for several cars if they park well over on the side of the unpaved road.