Mud Pond National Recreation Trail This is an easy trailof1.1 miles as an out-and-back route. The boardwalk leads through a black spruce/northern white cedar swamp to an 8 x 12-foot observation platform that overlooks Mud Pond. Mud Pond is home to three carnivorous plants and unusual wildlife including Arctic Jutta butterfly, black-backed woodpecker, gray jay, and boreal chickadee, making it excellent for birding and wildlife viewing. A standout feature isthe unique raised boardwalk that provides accessibility for visitors in strollers and wheelchairs—a particularly valuable resource in the White Mountains where wheelchair-accessible trails are limited. The parking lot is plowed in winter, making it a good approach to the refuge during winter months.