Ethan Pond Trail travels off the state park property an into the federal land offering beautiful views of surrounding rolling mountains and lovely waterfalls.

The Ethan Pond Trail begins near the Willey House Station which is located on US 302 soon after entering the park. The trail may be accessed from the small parking lot. It crosses a set of railroad tracks and ascends along an old logging road. The trail heads northwest after passing the Arethusa-Ripley Falls Trail. It continues to ascend past the Kedron Flume Trail which is about 1.3 miles into the path. Another .3 mile along the trail, the Willey Range Trail intersects from the right. Soon after that the trail leaves the state property and enters federal land where it comes upon a spur trail to Ethan Pond. This is a lovely spot offering views of Twin Range. There is also a primitive campsite back on this spur trail. The main trail heads due west paralleling North Fork. At about 5 miles the trail offers sights of Thoreau Falls, which is actually on Thoreau Falls Trail. From this point, you may turn around and travel back to the state park or head north on Ethan Pond Trail to reach the AMC Zealand Falls Hut and / or loop down on Twinway Trail to Zeacliff Trail and back to the intersection with Thoreau Falls Trail. To make that entire loop, beginning from Willey House Station, it is about 8 miles. From here you'll retrace your steps back through the national forest and into Crawford Notch State Park which is about another 5 miles. However, this trail is just one of many trails which make up an entire network throughout the White Mountains National Forest. Note: the Appalachian National Scenic Trail is on overlay.

Directions: From Bartlett, NH, Travel north approximately 12 miles on US 302 to the park entrance. Go to the Willey House Station parking lot just below a set of railroad tracks. Trailhead is located at this point.

Elevation: 1,500 feet

Elevation Gain: 1,000 feet

Difficulty: Easy

Visitor Information

Contact Wildernet