L E T ’ S G O C H A S I N G WATERFALLS

Bemis and Coliseum Falls are a pair of beautiful waterfalls accessed by the Bemis Brook Trail in Crawford Notch. With less than a mile of hiking to Coliseum Falls, and Bemis Falls on the way, and with negligible elevation gain, this nature stroll is sure to please. For those looking for a little added challenge, a couple miles of uphill hiking will bring you to Arethusa

Falls, a jaunt not for the faint of heart! This trail head is accessed from route 302 in Crawford Notch State Park on the left-hand side driving north, in the same parking lot for Arethusa Falls and Frankenstein Cliff. Not stroller friendly.

Ripley Falls is a beautiful set of waterfalls located in Crawford Notch State Park on NH Route 302. Starting from the Ethan Pond trailhead on the West side of 302, the Ripley Falls Trail continues just a little more than half a mile, gaining about 500 feet of elevation to the stunning natural phenomenon.

Winniweta Falls Bring along your Tevas, Chacos, or water-proof shoes for this one, because this short 1.8 mile round trip to Winniweta Falls includes wading a shallow, but wide, stream. Parking is a roadside pull-off on the West side of NH Route 16 just north of Jackson. The trail follows the Jackson Cross Country trail network, so you must follow the signs and remember the course you took. Listen for the falls, because they are about 100’ off trail and there’s no sign!

Thompson Falls The cascade at Thompson Falls crashes over an overhanging rock ledge that looks like a gigantic clam 30’ wide. Belowthe falls, the waters churn slowly around in an inviting, although very chilly, swimming pool. To access the falls, park at Wildcat Mountain & take the Way of the Wildcat Trail to Thompson Falls Trail. The trailhead is right across the bridge to the left of the Wildcat Base Lodge.

Beecher Cascade and Pearl CascadeTwo for the price of one! Just a short stroll down the Avalon Trail from the AMC’s Highland Center in Crawford Notch brings you to the ‘Cascade Loop’, a gentle trail that brings you to the stunning Beecher and Pearl water cascades, respectively.

Glen Ellis Falls, located off NH Route 16 just South of the Pinkham Notch Visitor Center, are a truly wonderful outdoor experience. For those looking to diversify their viewpoint or to get different angle shots from their camera, old stone steps constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps more than 60 years ago take you down the side of the falls to more viewpoints.

Franconia Falls are a beautiful set of various falls with really fun rocks to climb on all around them! To access, walk 3 miles (1 way) along flat ground next to the East Branch of the Pemigewasset River to the Falls Trail and the falls themselves. Park at Lincoln Woods on the Kancamagus Highway for this hike. (It is a little bit of a drive, but a beautiful drive with great picnic spots and scenic outlooks there and back!)

Champney FallsThis a stunning set of falls (and a very cool gorge!) located 1.8 miles (one-way) up the Champney Falls trail on the Kancamagus Scenic Byway. For a short excursion, hike up to the falls and back, or continue up the trail to Mount Chocorua for a full-day hiking expedition!

Nancy CascadesIt is a bit of a hike in to reach the beauty of Nancy Cascades, but uncovering this White Mountain treasure is well worth the walk! 2.4 miles (one way) with about 2,200’ of elevation gain along the Nancy Pond Trail brings you to this thunderous cascade. The Nancy Pond Trailhead is on Route 302 about five miles west of Bartlett Village.

Zealand Falls The hike to reach Zealand Falls is a little farther than for most, but it is a view well earned and easily combined with a larger hike in the White Mountains. From the end of Zealand Road (off

Route 302), hike about 2.5 miles to the AMC’s Zealand Hut on the Zealand Trail. The falls are then located just below the hut.

Crystal CascadeFor much less effort than summiting the famous Mount Washington, you can reach the stunning falls of Crystal Cascade. Just a short hike up the Tuckerman Ravine Trail from the AMC Pinkham Notch Visitor Center is the marvel of Crystal Cascades off the right side of the trail. Remember your camera!

Snyder Brook WaterfallsFrom the Appalachia Trailhead in Gorham, it is a small walk to reach this set of three different waterfalls. Follow Valley Way to the Maple Walk Trail to Gordon Fall in 0.3 miles. From Gordon Fall take the Fallsway Trail to Salroc and Tama Falls

in 0.6 miles. Return to the parking lot via Valley Way.

The Upper Falls ofSilver Cascade Silver Cascade can be seen from the roadside as you drive up Crawford Notch on Route 302. For the upper falls, a bit of a hike is necessary. From the Highland Center follow the Jackson-Webster trail to the split, take Webster trail to the right and just a couple hundred feet down you will find the gorgeous, mossy upper falls of Silver Cascade. It is about 1.5 miles to the falls (one-way).

Arethusa Falls occurs when the headwaters of Bemis Brook tumble over a granite cliff on the western slope of Crawford Notch. They are sometimes erroneously referred to as the tallest waterfalls in New Hampshire, but they are in fact the second

tallest, after the Mahoosuc Range’s seasonal Dryad Falls. The falls are located within Crawford Notch State Park and are accessible by means of the 1.5-mile-long Arethusa Falls Trail from Route 302. Jackson Falls runs alongside of Carter Notch Road in Jackson Village. The falls are a popular destination for picnics, relaxing, sunbathing and more. The falls are created by the rushing waters of the Wildcat River, the first federally designated “Wild and Scenic River” in New Hampshire.

Helpful Resources

White Mountain National Forest: www.fs.usda.gov/whitemountain

NH State Parks: www.nhstateparks.org

Leave No Trace: lnt.org

Hike Safe: www.hikesafe.com

MWOBS Higher Summit Forecast www.mountwashington.org

603-356-5701mtwashingtonvalley.org

Thank you to Mountain Ponderings for their help in providing this information.

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