Gentian Pond Out and Back

Start at the junction of North Road and Meadow Road in Shelburne and hike up the wide Millbrook Road. This road is passable by passenger cars for at least a mile and you may find occasional logging trucks sharing the "trail" with you. Don't worry, it gets better.After two miles and a couple of decent but doable hills, you'll cross the Mill Brook and start to climb purposefully toward the mountains ahead. Look carefully at 2.5 miles for a signed junction on the right for the Austin Brook Trail. Bear right half a mile later as the trail to Dryad Falls splits left. Continue climbing through birch, beech, and pine forest. The slope eases at mile 3.5 as you traverse some beaver bogs before meeting the final climb up to the lake and shelter.

Gentian Pond is the last shelter on the Appalachian Trail in New Hampshire for northbound hikers (or the first for southbound) and marks the beginning of the challenging Mahoosuc Range. Much more adventure awaits beyond!