upper goose pond cabin - appalachian trail database

"In my estimation, Upper Goose Pond is the best bargan on the AT. Beautiful spot, swimming, a canoe, inclosed cabin w/bunks, propane lights and stove and a pancake breakfast all for just a $3 donation."

"best shelter on the AT. not even a contest. when i went thru in 04, some southbounders had some massive blueberries that they had picked at the pie lady's in massachusetts. we put them in the pancakes and rocked the house woot!"

"I ended a week of hiking the MA AT here a few years back and it was one of the highlights of the trip. I will refrain from echoing Matt's statements but I can add that I did actually use the bunks and they were a welcome treat. I'm sure outside of hiking they're not much, but let's be honest, this is hiking and a bed of moss can be the Taj Mahal. The pond is beautiful and when I was there they had a canoe you could take out on it."

"CAUTION: Some comments from prior users (Grampie-N and Matthwew S) can be very misleading. The cabin does NOT have cooking facilities - at least not for hikers! The stove is for the caretaker's use only. While they do use it to cook a pancake breakfast for the guest hikers, they do not normally allow guests to use it to cook food of their own choosing.
The bathroom facilities were good. The bunks are hard - some without pads so bring your own. But under a roof and dry. Four 8x10 foot tent platforms, too.
The caretakers I encountered had a definite bias toward thru hikers rather than section hikers like myself. I was told that I "might" get a bunk, depending on how many thru hikers rolled in to take refuge from the predicted rains. I expected the rule to be "first come first served".
The large pond is a gem."

"My two buddies and I stayed here 12 years ago! We were just out of school and wanted to do some of the AT before entering the work world.

Upper Goose was truly a paradise, in comparison to the other campsites and lean-to's we frequented during our 2 weeks of hiking.

The water was crystal clear and so refreshing. The canoe was fun too.

Highly recommended!"

"I stopped to check this shelter out during a day hike and compared to most lean-to shelters found on the AT, this is a paradise. It's a cabin with cooking facilties, friendly caretakers, and bunks upstairs(I didn't actually see them but was told by the caretaker). There is also a beautiful pond (hence the name Goose pond) a couple of hundred feet from the cabin."

"During my thru-hike this was one of my best stays. The cabin is just beautiful, the pond is great, the free breakfast was unbelievable and the caretaker did a good job of keeping order in a low key manner.
I was allowed to use the stove after I asked permission.
The .5 walk from the AT was well worth my stay."

"Weekend hiker is wrong about the cooking facilities at Upper Goose pond. I am a Caretaker there and the stove and dishes and pans are there for both the caretakers and the guests to use. We are adding pads to the bunks this year and the cabin will be open on May 19th for the 2007 season. Also the donation has been discontinued however we will accept any thing you would like to give to help with the expense of maintaining the cabin. "

"FIRST - Weekend Hiker is wrong. the stove is for anyone to use, and we have dishes and pots and pans to use if you wash what you use.
SECOND - There is no donation for stay at the cabin. We will take
a donation to help with the cost of running the cabin, but the amount is strictly up to you.
THIRD - Starting in 2007 we have added pad on the bunks.
Also each caretaker has the right to allow dogs in the cabin based on his discretion and other dogs there at the time. (usually you will be allowed to tent camp with your dog if there is a problem)
There are 2 composting privies and on pit toilet.
Spring Water is available and is brought over from a good spring on the other side of the pond by the caretakers.
We will be open in 2007 from May 19 till Oct. 21st.
You are welcome to sleep on the porch or tent camp any time. "