Rattlesnake Flume and Pool via Stone House Trail

This short out-and-back in the Evans Notch area of western Maine packs a lot into roughly 3 km / 1.9 mi, with only about 100 m / 330 ft of elevation gain, making it a good choice for hikers who want a gentle forest walk with a rewarding water feature at the end. The route follows the Stone House Trail toward Rattlesnake Flume and Pool, a clear, cold plunge pool set below a narrow rocky chute. Although the overall difficulty is easy, the footing can still be uneven in places, especially around roots, wet rock, mud, and the final approach near the water. The trail is widely described as short and family-friendly, but hikers should still expect a natural surface rather than a groomed path. (alltrails.com)

The hike begins near the Stone House / White Cairn Trailhead at the end of Stone House Road off Route 113 in Evans Notch, with the nearest significant access point being the Stone House / White Cairn Trailhead parking area near Chatham, New Hampshire, just by the Maine border. The U.S. Forest Service lists the trailhead at latitude 44.25174528, longitude -70.99223159, and notes that hikers reach it from New Hampshire Route 113 via Stone House Road. Restrooms are available at the trailhead, but potable water is not. (fs.usda.gov)

For drivers, the approach is the practical option. Route 113 through Evans Notch is scenic but remote, and services are sparse once you leave the larger towns. If coming from the Maine side, hikers typically approach through Stow or Lovell; from New Hampshire, access is commonly via Chatham and Evans Notch Road. Public transport is extremely limited to nonexistent right at the trailhead, so most hikers should plan on arriving by car and carrying everything needed for the outing. Seasonal or project-related road restrictions can affect Route 113, so checking current access before departure is wise. MaineDOT, for example, announced weekday daytime closures on parts of Route 113 during a 2025 guardrail project in the Evans Notch corridor. (maine.gov)

What the route is like

From the trailhead, the walk starts gently through mixed forest and old woods roads, with only modest climbing. The grade is generally forgiving, which suits newer hikers, families, and anyone looking for a shorter leg-stretcher rather than a summit effort. The route to the pool is usually completed as an out-and-back, and the main navigation challenge is simply staying on the marked path and paying attention at junctions where side paths branch toward other features in the area. Using HiiKER before setting out is helpful here, especially because this trail network connects with longer options such as Blueberry Mountain and nearby loops. (alltrails.com)

The first part of the walk is mostly about the setting: quiet forest, brook sounds, and the sense of being in a tucked-away notch landscape rather than on a heavily developed recreation path. Expect a few damp or muddy sections after rain, and in bug season the woods can be quite active with mosquitoes and ticks. Some recent hiker reports in the broader Evans Notch trail network have also mentioned washed-out crossings and storm damage in nearby sections, so conditions can shift from season to season. (alltrails.com)

As you near the destination, the terrain becomes more interesting. Rattlesnake Flume is the narrow rock channel where water funnels through the ledge, and Rattlesnake Pool is the deeper basin below. The pool is known for exceptionally clear water and a vivid blue-green color, especially in bright weather. The final few metres can be slick, and anyone exploring around the edge should move carefully, particularly if the rocks are wet or if children are along. (newenglandswimmingholes.com)

Landmarks, scenery, and seasonal highlights

The main attraction is the water itself. This is not a broad waterfall vista so much as a compact, intimate gorge-and-pool feature hidden in the forest. The flume gives the area its character: water compressed through stone, then opening into a calm-looking but very cold