Category Archives: New Hampshire

New Hampshire at New England Trailhead, NETrailhead.com

Evans Notch, Pequawket Trail (RT 113) Scenic Byway

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Evans Notch Scenic Byway, RT 113

Maine Scenic Byways. Copyright © Eric Holsinger. Image used with permission.

Evans Notch is a mountainous area in Western Maine between Fryeburg and Gilead. The north side of the notch flows into the Androscoggin River drainage and the south side flows into the Saco River drainage. All around it is mountains and forests.

The Pequawket Trail Scenic Byway follows RT 113 north from Fryeburg and weaves in and out of Maine and New Hampshire as it passes through the White Mountain National Forest and the Caribou-Speckled Mountain Wilderness.

The area around Fryeburg is agricultural; corn fields and farms. The Saco River flows wide and slow in this area. The road winds in and out farms and forest and slowly climbs toward the notch.

The area near the notch opens up with scenic vistas overlooking the White Mountains of New Hampshire. The cliffs above the notch provide nesting for a recovering population of Peregrine Falcons.

North of the notch, the road follows the Cold River as it descends toward Gilead and the Androscoggin River.

In the winter, a section of this road is impassible. There are gates for closing the road, but you’ll probably just find the plow trucks have blocked any passage with hard packed snow.

Evans Notch Scenic Byway at EveryTrail

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Image used with permission, Copyright Eric Holsinger.

Top 5 Favorite Things About New Hampshire’s Lakes Region

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Top 5 Favorite Things After living in a place for a long time you get to know the personality of the area. In our case, New Hampshire’s Lakes Region certainly has a lot to offer. As an adult I appreciate it more than I ever did when I was a kid. Between the unforgettable summers on the lakes, the striking majesty of fall and the non-stop fun of winter skiing, I’d say there are a few things to do around these parts.

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New Paddling Blog Launched By Northern Forest Canoe Trail

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Waitsfield, VT (PRWEB) May 1, 2009 — A new paddling blog by the Northern Forest Canoe Trail, Inc. is sharing news, events and insights along its 740-mile blueway. The “Voices From The Trail” blog can be found at www.nfct.wordpress.com.

Northern Forest Canoe Trail "Voices From The Trail" blog homepage.
Northern Forest Canoe Trail “Voices From The Trail” blog homepage.

“We are excited to reach a broader audience with a paddling blog that aims to inform and connect people who have an interest in canoeing or kayaking the major watersheds of the northeast,” said NFCT Executive Director Kate Williams. “We hope the blog will be an online gathering place for paddlers and nature lovers who enjoy sharing their adventures.”

The “Voices From The Trail” blog will keep visitors up to date on NFCT events, waterway projects and volunteer opportunities through text, pictures and video. Visitors can leave comments about their own experiences on the NFCT or ask for suggestions about specific trail sections. The blog will also share stories from NFCT staff and the organization’s partners along the trail.

The NFCT stretches from the Fulton Chain of Lakes in northern New York, across northern Vermont and into southern Quebec, Canada; to northern New Hampshire and the St. John River in northern Maine. Waterways include the Saranac River, Lake Champlain, Missisquoi River, Connecticut River, Androscoggin River, Rangeley Lake, Moosehead Lake and the Allagash River.

The trail opened to the public in 2006 and follows the traditional American Indian travel routes of the region through 45 towns and villages. It is the longest inland water trail in the northeast, and an American Canoe Association Recommended Water Trail.

To learn more about the Northern Forest Canoe Trail visit http://www.northernforestcanoetrail.org or call 802-496-2285.

About the Northern Forest Canoe Trail: The Northern Forest Canoe Trail links the watersheds of northern New York, Vermont, Québec, New Hampshire and Maine, and is a unique thread tying together the Northern Forest Region. The 740-mile water trail traces historic Native American travel routes through the rivers of this region, and is a living reminder our history, where rivers are both highways and routes of communication. Flowing with the stories of Native Americans, European settlers, and the development of mill towns and the timber industry, the Trail’s rich heritage serves as a basis for widely accessible, environmentally-friendly tourism in many of the small communities along the route.

Frankenstein Cliff/Arethusa Falls

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Frankenstein Cliffs from upper parking area

Frankenstein Cliffs from upper parking area

Arethusa Falls

Arethusa Falls

Located in the Crawford Notch region of the White Mountain National Forest (WMNF), Frankenstein Cliff is named after a German-born painter who was known for his landscape art. It is fitting that his namesake stands approximately 1000ft above the valley floor and offers incredible views of the Saco River Valley, Dry River and Bemis Brook as well as the trailhead to Arethusa Falls which are named after a goddess in mythology. The waterfall is the tallest in New Hampshire boasting a 200 ft drop.

Map of Crawford Notch area

Map of Crawford Notch area

If it’s solitude you want, try parking in the lower lot and hiking up the Frankenstein Cliff Trail. There is a moderate grade on this trail as it crosses the stream. Once you reach the railroad trussle above you, the grade becomes steeper and the soil a little loose in areas. There are a few small switchbacks leading up the trail. The elevation gain is nearly 1200 ft. in just shy of a mile. The climb is worth it. Once you reach the top, you can see for miles and miles. It is a nice place to rest and have a snack or look over the edge to your car if you are adventurous and not afraid of heights. Take caution when at the edge of open cliff faces.

View from top of Frankenstein Cliff

View from top of Frankenstein Cliff

To continue on, follow the Frankenstein Cliff Trail to the right opposite of where you came up to the Arethusa-Ripley Falls Trail.

There will be an outlook to Mt. Washington along this trail.
Follow this for approximately 1.3 miles when you will reach the Arethusa Falls Trail. The sign at the base of the trailhead for this trail along the highway states this is a 60 minute one way hike up the Arethusa Falls Trail.

Turn right and follow the Arethusa Falls to the waterfall. Once you reach this point, expect to see many more people as the trail is more maintained and more popular on this side. It is a short hike from this point, perhaps 2/10th of a mile. To return via a loop, return from the falls to the junction with the Arethusa-Ripley Falls trail and continue right down the mountain on the Arethusa Falls trail. Near the trailhead, there is a slight divergence for the Bemis Brook Trail if you are so inclined for a little more adventure.

When you reach the upper parking lot at the Arethusa Falls Trailhead, be advised the home and property located there are off limits and private. However, this is a great spot to snap some photos of the cliffs you just climbed. Continue down the hill on the paved road to the lower parking lot and return to your car. This loop will total approximately 4.8 miles.

Sign along Trail

Sign along Trail

Notes: The day we went on this loop (August 2008) we did not see any other people until we had almost reached the Arethusa Falls Trail junction. I was glad we had the toughest part of the hike out of the way early and we enjoyed the time alone with our dog on the trail. Once we reached the Arethusa Falls Trail it was almost non-stop people coming and going. We saw some people dressing in hopes to swim at the top. This is not that kind of hike. While you could perhaps get in the water, if it is a swim you are looking for, the Saco River is right along this route and easily acessible just up the road from this hike. There is one amenity you will find here, an outhouse located in the lower parking lot.

Sign along trail

Sign along trail

Fall Foliage Scenic Drive – Kancamagus Highway New Hampshire

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By Cliff Calderwood

You can drive the 34 miles between Lincoln and Conway on Route 112 in just about an hour. But you’d miss experiencing one of the most colorful scenic drives in the entire northeast – and some would say the U.S. for fall foliage.

Route 112, or as its better known the Kancamagus Highway, is the only road that runs directly east and west through the heart of the White Mountain National Forest. This is a dramatic road built to show off the magnificence of one of New Hampshire’s best-loved scenic spots.

During the summer and fall foliage months you’re likely to have plenty of company on your drive. But if the weather is clear who cares if the going is a little slow – this isn’t a drive to rush anyway.

You’ll find plenty of pull-offs to admire the views and take a bunch of photos if the weather cooperates. Be warned though… the White Mountains are notorious for generating their own weather, especially in the Presidential Range, where many of the peaks are above timberline.

So what will you see?

At the western end of this drive where Interstate 93 meets Route 112, lies Lincoln. The Lincoln, and close-by Cannon Mountain, areas abound in gift and specialty shops, including Clark’s Trading Post.

Lincoln is your starting point on this fall foliage scenic drive, and as you head east towards the Kancamagus Pass you’ll be climbing to 2,860 feet in the first 10 miles.

Just east of Lincoln you’ll find Loon Mountain, a ski resort by winter and a playground in the summer and fall foliage months. Loon is worth a side trip to ride the Gondola to the summit for breathtaking views, and exploring the Glacial Caves, and the summit observation tower.

Continuing east on the two-lane highway you’ll enter the Pemigewasset wilderness region of the drive. Close to Hancock Campground is the parking lot entrance to the Lincoln Woods Trail. This popular and easy trail leads into the wilderness area and makes a great excursion to view the Pemigewasset River, and the wildlife that inhabits the area.

As you head out to the Sandwich Range Wilderness Area the road offers interesting turns and views through the Kancamagus Pass. You’ll find plenty of scenic overlooks to admire the mountain ranges, especially during the vibrant fall foliage season. Autumn is a spectacular time to travel this part of the road.

Another side excursion along this stretch of the road is the Greeley Ponds Scenic Area. Located about one mile from the highway and about 9 miles east of Lincoln this is a beautiful place to have a picnic lunch, and view the two ponds and towering cliffs.

Continuing east you’ll enter the Swift River valley region. This area abounds in scenic stops, and hikes through the forest offering stunning views of the valley and mountains. The hike offering the best views is the MT. Potash hike but at 4 miles requires a few hours to appreciate fully.

For a shorter and easier hike drive to the Rocky Gorge Scenic area and take The Lovequist Loop Trail. This is about an hours walk around Falls Pond and offers fishing and a marvelous window into the beauty of the natural plants and vegetation of the region. You’ll cross the gorge formed by the Swift River over a rustic footbridge.

Back in the car you’ll drive a short distance east to the Covered Bridge and the trailhead to the Boulder Loop Trail. If you’ve been saving your energy for only one hike then this is it. At about 3 miles round trip it can take you anywhere from 2-4 hours but you’ll get outstanding photo opportunities of MT. Chocorua and the Swift River Valley. The hike itself is mostly a gradual climb with some step pitches. This is one of the more popular hikes during fall foliage season.

The last piece of the Kancamagus Highway fall foliage scenic drive takes you to the eastern end of the drive where Route 112 meets Route 16 in Conway.

Look for other articles in this series of fall foliage scenic drives. Or if you can’t wait you can pick up the complete scenic drive free report containing these and other New England scenic drives, along with detailed route coverage and attractions, at his New England vacation site.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Cliff_Calderwood

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