Mountain Pond Shelter

Open — Open year-round, first-come, first-served. No advance reservations.

About

Mountain Pond Shelter is a small backcountry lean-to shelter nestled along the shores of Mountain Pond in the White Mountain National Forest's Saco Ranger District. The shelter sleeps 4-6 people and represents one of the few remaining historic wooden lean-tos in the forest, with oakum-filled gaps between the boards that reflect traditional construction methods. The shelter is reached via a one-mile hike from the Slippery Brook Road trailhead, with the option to continue on the 2.7-mile Mountain Pond Loop that circumnavigates the entire pond. The trail passes through beautiful forest with rocky footing in places and offers views of surrounding peaks including South Baldface, Walter Mountain, and Doublehead Mountain. Mountain Pond itself is a secluded body of water situated in a valley shelf, where loons can often be spotted during the summer months. This is a primitive backcountry site with no facilities, operating on a first-come, first-served basis with no reservations. The shelter provides a good option for beginner backpackers or those seeking a short overnight wilderness experience in the White Mountains.

Directions

From Slippery Brook Road in Chatham, park at the trailhead pullout (approximately 0.7 miles past East Branch Road). The shelter is a one-mile hike from the trailhead.

Nearby Campgrounds