Hike New England - Greeley Ponds from Waterville Valley

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Greeley Ponds from Waterville Valley

Destination:		Greeley Ponds (2240')
Trails:		Livermore Trail, Greeley Ponds Trail
Region:		NH - Central East White Mountain National Forest, Waterville Valley
Location:		Livermore, NH
Rating:		Easy/Moderate
Features:		Ponds
Distance:		7.4 miles
Elevation Gain:		660 feet (cumulative)
Hiking Time:		Actual: 3:30 Typical: 4:00
Outing Duration:		Typical: 5:30
Hike Date:		Saturday, 8/30/2003
Last Updated:		1/22/2008
Author:		Paul Gronwall

Route Summary

Start on Livermore Trail.
After 0.3 mile on Livermore Trail, turn left to get on Greeley Ponds Trail.
Follow Greeley Ponds Trail for 1.2 miles where it meets Flume Trail.
Turn left at this junction to stay on Greeley Ponds Trail.
Follow Greeley Ponds Trail for another 1.7 miles upon which you will reach lower Greeley Pond.
Continue along Greeley Ponds Trail for another 0.5 mile to reach upper Greeley Pond.
Return via the same route.

Place	Split Miles	Total Miles	Split Time	Total Time
Livermore Trailhead at Livermore Road (1580')	0.0	0.0	0:00	0:00
Jct. Livermore Trail.Greeley Ponds Trail (1580')	0.3	0.3	0:09	0:09
Lower Greeley Pond (2180')	2.9	3.2	1:22	1:31
Upper Greeley Pond (2240')	0.5	3.7	0:20	1:51
Lower Greeley Pond (2180')	0.5	4.2	0:18	2:09
Jct. Livermore Trail.Greeley Ponds Trail (1580')	2.9	7.1	1:13	3:22
Livermore Trailhead at Livermore Road (1580')	0.3	7.4	0:08	3:30

Map of hike route to Greeley Ponds (map by Webmaster)

Trail Guide

This is a good hike when you don't feel the need to reach an open peak and look out across the mountain tops. The scenery at the ponds is beautiful and serene, but you will spend the entire hike in the woods.

The hike is easy throughout with no steep stretches. A significant portion of the trail follows an old logging road, so it is wide and conducive to hiking side by side and engaging in conversation. Because the trailhead is close to the Waterville Valley ski area, there are numerous ski trails that cross the hiking trail - the ski trails are marked by blue diamonds, the hiking trail by yellow blazes (although there are no blazes where the trail follows the road). At one point, there is even a sign that directs hikers to turn left and cross the river, rather than continue ahead on the ski trail, which looks more inviting.

Because the Livermore Trail and a portion of the Greeley Ponds Trail follow old roads, they are popular with families and are also used by runners and mountain bikers. Everyone we encountered politely shared the trails, including a couple picking mushrooms, but if you enjoy hiking in solitude, it is important to get an early start. We began the hike at 8:40 a.m. on the Saturday of Labor Day weekend. Although there were eight vehicles parked at the trailhead, we only encountered four people and two dogs on the outbound leg. During the last 1.5 miles back to the trailhead, we met several outbound groups, and we shared the short stretch on the Livermore Trail with several mountain bikers. Back at the trailhead shortly after noon, there were approximately twenty cars in the parking area.

The Livermore trail begins at the back of the parking area. There is an information station with hiking rules and a map posted on the board. The 0.3 mile portion of the trail is a smooth, wide gravel road. It is immediately crossed by several ski trails, all with very clear signs. After crossing a beaver pond with elaborate devices to frustrate the beavers' tendency to dam under the bridge, the Greeley Ponds Trail heads off to the left at a well signed intersection.

The hike is easy, and well built bridges simplify the creek crossings. Logs have been newly laid across the swampy areas (the wood chips were still fresh), but our dog followed his usual custom of wading through the mud. There is one crossing for which a bridge is not provided, but there were sufficient boulders to cross safely and dryly.

At the south end of Lower Greeley Pond, the trail passes a wide beach where we relaxed and enjoyed a snack. The hike to the upper pond is quick and easy, with no elevation change. The trail continues north for another 1.7 miles to the Kancamagus Highway, but we turned back south at this point and retraced our steps to the Livermore trailhead.

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NH - Central East

Driving Directions

Take exit 28 off I-93, and head east toward Waterville Valley on Rt. 49.
Turn left onto Tripoli Road and bear right when Tripoli Road goes that way.
Turn right at the sign to the trailhead, bear left at the closed gate and enter the parking area.
Turnpike to trailhead is a 17 minute drive.

Other Notes

A parking permit is required to park at White Mountain National Forest trailheads and parking areas. You can purchase a WMNF permit from the forest service and other vendors and can also pay-by-the-day using self-service kiosks located in many parking areas.

Rates:

$3 per day
$5 for a week-long pass
$20 for a year-long pass
$25 for two year-long passes (one household/two cars)

More Greeley Ponds Trail Reports

Greeley Ponds via Greeley Ponds Trail from Kancamagus Highway on 4/8/2000

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