Blueberry Mountain is located in Evan’s Notch, part of White Mountains National Forest in Western Maine, close to the New Hampshire border. As the name implies, there are wild blueberry bushes on the top of the mountain.
The best part of the hike is a dip in the emerald green “Rattlesnake Pool” just off the Stone House Trail, a gorgeous swimming hole and waterfall.
The moderately difficult hike to the summit of Blueberry Mountain is about 5 miles round-trip with 1,500 feet of elevation gain from the parking area on Shell Pond Road.
You could do a loop hike by going up the steeper and more challenging White Cairn Trail, then down the Stone House Trail, with a stop at Rattlesnake Pool about 1 mile from the trail head.
Or, you can do an out-and-back hike on the Stone House Trail, like I did, which should take 3 to 4 hours with a stop for a refreshing swim at Rattlesnake Pool.
If you’re not interested in climbing the mountain and just want to swim, an out-and-back hike to Rattlesnake Pool without going up Blueberry Mountain would be about 2.5 miles round-trip.
Trail Head Directions
From Route 113, in Evan’s Notch between the border of Maine and New Hampshire, take Stone House Rd, and bear right on Shell Pond Road which you’ll follow until reaching the small parking area next to the gate. If the 6 car lot is full, there is space to park along the side of the road. Try to go early or later in the day to beat the crowds on a summer weekend.
The Hike
The hike starts on a dirt road after walking around the gate. The trail head for White Cairn Trail will be on your left after about a quarter mile, and the trail head for Stone House Trail and Rattlesnake Pool will be on your left after about a half mile. Both trail heads are well marked.
The Stone House Trail, which is entirely in the woods until reaching the summit, starts out very wide and flat and stays that way until reaching the side trail to Rattlesnake Pool after walking for about a mile.
The side trail to Rattlesnake Pond wasn’t marked when I went, but it’s well established and you may even hear people scream as they jump into the cold mountain water. I saved this for the end of my hike.
The trail steepens as you make your way up Blueberry Mountain, but the elevation gain is gradual and there is no boulder scrambling. There are lots of roots and rocks and some mud on the upper portion of the trail, which is typical of most trails in Maine.
It was brutally hot the day that I did this hike, so that made the hike more difficult. There were plenty of children doing this hike, so I consider it family friendly despite the fact that it wiped me out.
After 2.3 miles and about 1,500′ of elevation gain, you’ll reach the summit.
There are somewhat limited views at the summit because it’s mostly wooded, but you can find a very nice view of the surrounding mountains from a lookout on the easy half mile loop around the summit, and there are lots of wild blueberry bushes along the summit loop. In the first week of August the blueberries were ready for picking.
From the viewpoint, below you is Shell Pond, which is surrounded by Rattlesnake Mountain, Harndon Hill and Deer Hill. To your right, across the border in NH is Baldface Mountain.
Going down was much easier, as usual, and after 45 minutes we reached the short trail to Rattlesnake Pool.
We weren’t alone … Rattlesnake Pool was packed with people, but rightfully so, because it’s a magical place.
The green foliage surrounding Rattlesnake Pool makes the crystal clear water appear emerald green. There’s a waterfall and several rocks to jump off into the cold but very refreshing water. Even in the first week of August, the water was so cold that I couldn’t stay in for very long.
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This looks like an awesome summer hike! Looking forward to trying it as soon as the weather warms up.