Another goal I had for this winter was to practice off-trail travel and navigation. I was familiar with the west side of Franconia Notch and while nerding out on the map one evening I came across little Mud Pond. Perhaps I should check it out!

My plan was to take the Indian Head trail to the summit of Mt. Pemi and from there continue NW through the forested winter backcountry to Mud Pond. Snowshoes would be essential as well as a detailed topo map, compass, and GPS receiver.

Mt. Pemi and Mud Pond, 5.75 hrs, 5.8 mi, 1800 ft ascent

Conditions were overcast with moderate winds and temps above freezing. I would shoot bearings to stay West of the small hump that guards the pond with the steep wall of the Kinsmans as a Western handrail.

Setting out from the Visitor Center, the climb up Pemi was easy with microspikes making quick work of the packed snow. Clearly a popular jaunt! To this day Mt. Pemi is one of my favorite places to bring newer or more casual hikers.

At the summit I had a quick chat with a older gentleman who does regular trail work on the Kinsmans. We both seemed to enjoy the lack of people and abundance of snow that Winter brings to these hills.

Summit View from Mt. Pemigewasset

Doning snowshoes and heading into the thick forest, I was struck by just how impossibly slow this sort of movement can be. Sight a landmark (tree), move 100 paces, verify bearing, reach landmark, sight another tree, move 100 paces, repeat. All the while trying to pick the best line around dangerous blow downs, great tangles of evergreen shrubs, and tree wells in the snow.

Navigation was uneventful but I took a backward shuffling fall on the snowshoes that left me laughing at my own futile struggles. Finally I broke out of the trees and right onto the shore of Mud Pond!

Mud Pond in Winter Conditions

As minor an achievement as this was, I couldn’t help but be amazed I had reached this place. A spot I had simply picked out on the map. I wondered how many others had enjoyed this same privilege.