Driving Directions
Mud Pond Trail
From Whitefield, NH:
From downtown Whitefield, take Rt. 116 northeast towards Jefferson.
Upon reaching a school bus turn-around on the right and town signs for both Whitefield and Jefferson on the left, continue driving for another 1.0 mile.
Turn right onto an unsigned access road. There are three orange survey ribbons around a tree trunk at the turn. If you reach Hazelnut Lane, also on the right, then you have gone one driveway too far.
Drive 0.1 mile to the end of the access road where there is a large parking lot.
The trail is straight ahead, just past the kiosk.
From Jefferson, NH:
From Rt. 2 in Jefferson, take Rt. 116 southwest towards Whitefield.
At a curve in the road where Whipple Road comes in from the left, continue on Rt. 116 for another 0.8 mile.
Turn left onto an unsigned access road. There are three orange survey ribbons around a tree trunk at the turn and it is just after Hazelnut Lane, also on the left.
Drive 0.1 mile to the end of the access road where there is a large parking lot.
The trail is straight ahead, just past the kiosk.
Cherry Pond and the Pliny Range from the Tudor Richards viewing platform
About Pondicherry Wildlife Refuge
The Presidential Range Rail Trail at
The property can be accessed via several trails: the Pondicherry Rail Trail, the Presidential Range Rail Trail, Slide Brook Trail (part of the long-distance Cohos Trail), Colonel Whipple Trail (also part of the Cohos Trail), and Mud Pond Trail. The rail trails allow snowmobile traffic in the winter; otherwise all trails are open to foot travel only. Mud Pond Trail is reportedly handicapped accessible – I only hiked it during the winter so I can't confirm that for sure but it certainly seemed like it would be in the non-snow seasons. Unlike the other access points, Mud Pond Trail does not connect into the rest of the trail network.below . Pondicherry Wildlife Refuge also supports lots of interesting flora such as pitcher plants, creeping snowberry, trillium, leatherleaf, and rhodora.
Little Cherry Pond (photo by Webmaster)
Pondicherry Wildlife Refuge Wildlife Checklists
Pondicherry Wildlife Refuge Property Use Guidelines
No camping or fires permitted.
Carry out all trash and litter.
Do not collect or disturb plants or animals.
Dogs are allowed, but must be on a leash or under the control of the owner at all times.
Hunting is allowed on the refuge in accordance with state regulations. Be sure to wear blaze orange during
hunting season. Hunting is not allowed between Cherry Pond and Little Cherry Pond.
Foot travel only on Little Cherry Pond Trail.
Bicycles and horses are allowed on the rail trail only.
No motor vehicles allowed in spring, summer, and fall.
Snowmobiles and cross-country skiers share the rail trail in winter – use caution when crossing trails.
Be prepared for uneven walking. Trails may be wet, and the boardwalks will be slippery when wet.
The Presidential Mountain Range from the Presidential Range Rail Trail
More Pondicherry Wildlife Refuge Trail Reports
Winter view from Mud Pond Trail (photo by Webmaster)
"Wildlife Crossing" sign
