For this 12:00 P.M. start you get to sleep in a little longer and have a moderate hiking adventure to this attractive backcountry pond with views of the Twin Range with a side trip to the&ampnbsp2nd highest waterfall in NH!

Almost three hours from Boston, the Crawford Notch area offers some great hiking opportunities.

Ripley Falls is a beautiful&ampnbsp100 ft. high sheet of whitewater flowing over a smooth rock wall. Ethan Pond has a nice shelter to sit in while taking in the lovely views.

Terrain: The first 1/2 mile can be steep but has good footing. The rest is an easy, graded terrain.

Trail: This is an up and back hike. The Ethan Pond Trail leaves the west side of US 302 directly opposite the Webster Cliff Trail, about 1 mile south of the Willey House Site. Take the paved road 0.3 mile and park in the area just below the railroad tracks and the&ampnbspWilley House Station. We will first&ampnbsptake the side trail to Ripley Falls (0.6 mile RT).&ampnbspThe Ethan Pond trail eventually enters and follows an old logging road that brings us to a side trail at 2.6 miles leading to Ethan Pond.

Time/Distance: Hike time is approximately 5 hours.&ampnbspRound trip distance is 6 miles with 1,550 ft. elevation gain. We will take our time to enjoy the views, eat a snack, take pictures and&ampnbsphave&ampnbspfun!

Gear List: Click on the Gear List link at the bottom of the website to find out what you need to bring.

Weather Note:&ampnbspRain can cancel hike.&ampnbspSo if you sign-up, please keep in touch.

Lodging Option: Bunk beds are available at my house near Waterville Valley, NH for Friday and/or Saturday night for $25 per night. Coffee each morning, linen and towels are provided however, you will have to bring your own breakfast and a cooler to store your beer/food.&ampnbspSpace is limited so email me ASAP to reserve a bunk!

Carpooling: Contact other guys living near you&ampnbspfor carpooling. If you are driving up I-93, meet Jon and I off the&ampnbspExit 28 ramp at the Post Office parking lot for 10:30 A.M.