Pleasant Pond Mountain

If you have a choice of mountains in this area, I really recommend Mosquito or Moxie Bald or even Coburn over Pleasant. But to not be too disparaging: the 2,477-foot Pleasant Pond is a nice mountain that offers a moderate hike along the Appalachian Trail with views that extend north to Katahdin.

One of the best parts of the hike, if you start from the west side, is the sandy beach at the bottom — a wonderful, beautiful spot for cooling off after your hike. And for those beginning on the eastern side, you can swim in Moxie Pond!

There are two ways to summit. The eastern route is longer (almost 5 miles one way) and more gradual, through old spruce and fir forests. The western route is ~1.6 miles one way and a bit steeper. Expect a steady, moderate climb, with some stone steps. As you approach the summit, you’ll pass through a pretty spruce and fir forest.

Once you reach the rocky ridge close to the summit, things start to open up. Coming from the west, if you continue slightly beyond the official summit, you’ll see a small sign for “scenic view.” It’ll be on your left and bring you shortly to a small outcrop and long views north to Baxter State Park.

Because it’s the AT, the trail is well maintained and well blazed. There is a short side trail, 0.1 mile, about 0.3 miles from the western trailhead that will bring you to the sandy shores of Pleasant Pond (take a dip if you’re hot!). Another trail takes you to the Pleasant Pond lean-to and tent sites. (The lean-to also has a trail that brings you to the beach.)

My GPS put the elevation gain at 1,440 feet.

Directions: To hike the mountain from the north: From Route 201 in West Forks, drive 5.2 miles on Lake Moxie Road to where it splits in a T-intersection. Go right on Troutdale Road, a narrow dirt road that can have potholes. In roughly 7.8 miles, you’ll see the AT sign on your right for Pleasant Pond Mountain. In another 0.2 miles, you’ll come to the AT trail sign for Moxie Bald Mountain. A small parking area is farther up on your right. You can also reach the trailhead from Bingham. Here are the AMC directions for this route (I can’t vouch for these): From Route 201, turn right (east) on Route 16 and drive 5.5 miles. Turn left on Townline Road. At 2.8 miles from this intersection, bear right at a fork onto Dead Water Road. At 4.4 miles, cross a bridge onto the road, now called Troutdale road, which you can follow until, at mile 11.2 (from Route 16), you reach the AT parking area on your left.