Fall has arrived in New
Hampshire. Visiting the Mount Washington
Valley Chamber of Commerce, we received maps and info on the most colorful
routes. By doing our own driving, we missed out on a popular local attraction.
Conway Scenic Railway offers a variety of rides. Departures from their 1874 station, in
downtown North Conway, begin in mid-April and run through the New Year’s
Holiday. Their trips to Crawford’s
Notch, for leaf viewing, is available mid-September to Mid-October.
Heading initially to
Cathedral Ledge, we saw a few couples preparing to rappel 700 feet up. We made the ascent in our car, but for the
more daring, this cliff is said to be one of the most popular in the country
for both beginners and for seasoned climbers.
If you are in the area and feel inclined to do a vertical climb, there
are local guides available to teach the necessary skills. Driving along the Kancamagus Highway through the White Mountain National Forest, we were treated to golden yellows, burnt oranges and deep reds displayed by the varieties of maples and birch that line the roadway. Clear deep blue skies made for optimal viewing on the trips we made.
Aside from the spectacular
fall foliage, this area offers dozens of covered bridges, hundreds of
waterfalls and countless trails. By
driving, we were able to stop as desired to explore. Many of the waterfalls require only a short
walk for viewing. Silver Glades Fall can
be seen from the roadway. The Flume
Gorge at Franconia Notch is an exception.
Here you are walking through a natural chasm with multiple
waterfalls. If you like, a tram can take
you about halfway up the mountain. The
final climb is up wooden stairs that cling to the side of the mountain to the
top of the falls. A 92-year old woman
out for an afternoon stroll through the mountains made discovery of the Gorge
in the 1800s. That story really made us
feel guilty for wanting to skip out on even some of the easier trails.
We would never consider doing
a hike up Mount Washington but we did partake in several of the shorter trails
available in the area, with the gorgeous foliage enhancing our walks. This
beautiful region is a place we will want to visit again.
At Flume Gorge |
Ellis Falls |
Built in 1876, this is known as "The Honeymoon Bridge" |
Ellis River |
At Ellis Falls |
At Flume Gorge |
At Flume Gorge |
White Mountain Natl. Forest Bridge built in 1858 |
Swift River Bridge built in 1869 |
Saco River Bridge built in 1890 |
Interior of Bridge |
Suspension bridge at Flume Gorge |
Alan standing in dry riverbed |
At Flume Gorge |
Silver Glade Falls |
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