Trip Notice: Flat Mt Pond, Sandwich Range Wilderness, WMNF
Saturday – Sunday
December 6, 2008 – December 7
Trip idea: Mr. Getchell recalled a trip he made into Flat Mt. Pond as a high school kid and Mr. Obrien said FMP was one of his first trips as a scouter with troop 150 so after a little research, we decided this would be a good December outing for the more experienced scouts of troop 150.
Trip criteria: (as laid out by Scoutmaster Chalmers) overnight, backcountry, a loop hike or open ended route to a spotted car, about 5 miles in to Saturday’s campsite and another 5 miles out on Sunday, easy to moderate terrain, close to home. We were looking for something comparable to the Sawyer Pond backpack trip the troop has enjoyed many times.
Trip recon: two weeks before the trip Mr. Getchell made a Sunday hike to Flat Mt. Pond with his favorite trail buddy, Acadia. Loose leaves and a dusting of snow, blustery north winds and bright, mid day sun. Lunch time Temp at the pond, 2,300’ elev., 17°.
Recon narrative: Got a late start and knew I would not have time to recon all the possibilities. I reasoned only a strong group of scouts and leaders could handle the entire loop, even under the best of conditions. Most likely the trip would be a simple in and out on the same trail with an overnight at the pond so that would be my recon hike. I decided not to “close the loop” and left out that part of the Flat Mt Pond Tr. from the pond to the trailhead at Whiteface Intervale. (5.3 miles of trail, then about 2.5 miles of street hiking back to the car for me). The AMC guidebook and map gave a good account of that section: logging roads, outlooks, some abrupt terrain and three stream crossings that “may be difficult in high water”. I had read a mountain biker account that described the route as mostly hike-a-bike, rocky and rough, with no mention of stream crossings. FYI, Federal Wilderness areas are supposedly off limits to mountain bikes.
Seeing the campsite was a priority. I hiked what I thought would be the most likely way in and out for the scouts. Parked at the Bennett St. trailhead and set out on Flat Mt Pond Trail. Quickly made a right on the Bennett St. Trail. Chose this as a shortcut with moderate grades. It’s the scenic route following Pond Brook. Remember the waterfall and pool – world class swimming hole on a hot summer day. Finished up steeply at the old Bebe River Railroad grade and rejoined the FMP trail to the pond and shelter. Return trip same except stayed on the FMP trail all the way back to the Bennett St. parking lot. It follows the gentle rr and logging road grades and was a little dull for me. Try skis next time given 18” of snow.
A little more snow at FMP – could be a windy place. Shelter in excellent shape beautifully sited, sleeps 8, room for add’l tents. Stone fireplace fronting shelter, pond already iced over open water at the outlet, composting toilet, no wireless signal at FMP, Reportedly a good trout pond, in season only.
Enough recon and narrative. Looking forward to the actual trip!