QUICK TRAIL FACTS
- Preserve Size: Not sure
- Trail Mileage: 1.3 miles to second overlook
- Pets: yes
- Difficulty: easy to moderate
- Sights: ["[\"[\\\"remote ponds, views\\\"]\"]"]
These trails, part of the Fly Rod Crosby Trail network maintained by the High Peaks Alliance, lie below Saddleback Mountain and offer an alternative route to its summit — or a lovely short hike on their own merits. They weave through mossy forests, offering side trails to remote ponds and two overlooks. While you do climb a bit, it is not difficult hiking; the elevation gained is about 320 feet from the trailhead to the second overlook.
From the trailhead, the distance to Rock Pond, the first pond, is about 0.5 miles. To Midway Pond, it’s about 1 mile. To the overlooks of Midway Pond and of Rangeley Lake, it’s just about 1.3 miles from the trailhead.
The trails here are well-worn and easy to follow. The first viewpoint looks over Midway Pond and is pretty; from the other, I believe you can see as far as Rangeley Lake but the views were somewhat obscured by fog by the time we reached this point.
The main path intersects, in about 1.5 miles from the trailhead, with a multi-use trail. If you turn left, you will, in under a mile, reach the Appalachian Trail to Saddleback Mountain.
Directions: You can pick up the trail at the end of Rock Pond Road — part of the Saddleback Mountain Ski Resort — where there is a small open area to the side of the road that looks suitable for parking. If it’s full, you can park in the first lot at the lodge and hike up to the end of Rock Pond Road.
