Waterfall Hikes in the WMNF?

[WhiteMTHike]

Greetings,

I'll be heading back up to the Whites the second week of September. I'll have my son in my Keltie Carrier. My wife is in good shape from working out at the gym but is not a big fan of hiking; at least she doesn't have my passion for it. That being said I'm looking for any input on some waterfall trails. I've got a few in mind already, all of which I've done before by myself but would like to do again.

Sabbaday Falls trail(always easy).
Falling Waters trail.
Thoreau Falls (via Zealand trail).

I'm not looking for something that is roadside, I want to actually do some hiking. Any additional ones in the Pemi/Merrimack Watershead area or the Saco Watershed area that anyone would suggest?

Thanks in advance.

 

[TDawg]

Kinsman and Rocky Glen Falls

Park at The Basin in Franconia Notch. Start by viewing the Basin itself, make your way up the Basin-Cascades Tr.. The trail follows Cascade Brook which has many many pretty cascades (hence the name), at .4 a short side trail leads down to Kinsman Falls. I was pleasantly surprised by this very picturesque waterfall. I was there in May so I'm not sure of it's September flow.

If you so choose Rocky Glen is a half-mile further up the trail. Though less photogenic it is a nice fall as well. An out and back to both would be about 1.8. The entire way is directly next to the brook and countless cascades.

 

[grouseking]

Ripley Falls and Arethusa Falls are good ones although I've never been to Arethusa. If you're looking to go a little further...check out Nancy Cascades. Those are some of the finest falls I've ever seen. All of these are accessed from Rt 302.

grouseking

 

[scrambler]

1+ Arethusa and Ripley

You could do Arethusa, about 2.0 miles rt or tie in Frankenstein cliff 4.5+ loop.

You could do both Ripley and Arethusa via the Arethusa/Ripley trail but this without a car spot would require an out and back.

 

[TroutBumNH]

falls...

I know it's up the Wildernot and all, but I'd throw out Franconia Falls and then 13 Falls. 13 Falls is definitely worth the trip. It's a 16.2 out and back, i believe...

The reason I throw it out there is because i've hiked w/ some 'gym shape' people who seem to prefer the longer, flatter stretches to the vertical stuff I tend to prefer.

just my $0.02,

Mike

 

[sapblatt]

13 Falls is far but very flat and easy for the most part - I am not fast and I did it with an overnight pack in about 4 - 4 1/2 hours....very beautiful and doable.

On the more moderate side (I should not keep telling everyone this one ), the Salamacis Falls on the Brookside are really nice...maybe 90 minutes out of Appalacia - and there are plenty of other falls along the way if you take the Fallsway.

Have fun!

 

[Periwinkle]

Georgianna Falls is easy to the first and second holes, then a steep short boost to the highest part of the falls. It would be a good choice for something where you needed the choice to turn around if things weren't going as planned.

FYI -- the worst of the herd paths don't start until above the first hole. It's all pretty easy to walk and follow to that point.

 

[Kurchian]

There is also a great book "Waterfalls of the White Mountains" by Bruce and Doreen Bolnick that will provide you some guidance here.

This book details about 30 hikes to waterfalls in the Whites. It is a perfect companion for hiking with kids as each hike points out interesting things to look for along the way. It also details difficulty of each trek as well as the history of the area.

It is available at Mountain Wanderer, Amazon or your local bookstore.

 

[roadtripper]

my favorites in the whites that require a hike:

Waterville Cascades (Waterville Valley) - 4/5
~ total privacy
~ 3.4 miles round trip
Diana's Baths (Conway area) - 4/5
~ extremely popular
~ easy 1.2 mile round trip hike
~ lots of opps to splash in the water
Arethusa Falls (Crawford Notch) - 5/5
~ very popular
~ personal favorite
~ 3 miles round trip
Ripley Falls (Crawford Notch) - 4/5
~ 1.2 miles round trip
~ can be combined with Arethusa Falls & Frankenstein Cliff
Bridal Veil Falls (east of Franconia Notch)- 4/5
~ awesome 5-mile round trip hike, not too difficult
Thoreau Falls (Zealand Road area) - 3/5
~ interesting trail, nice falls
~ 10 miles round trip
~ can easily include visit to Zealand Hut & Zealand Falls
Franconia Falls (Lincoln area) - 3/5
~ 6.4 miles round trip
~ fun place to play in the water if its warm
The Basin (Franconia Notch) - 4/5\
~ extremely popular!
Georgiana Falls (Lincoln area) - 3/5
~ est. 2 miles round trip (can't remember)
Thompson Falls (Jackson area) - 3/5
~ 1.4 miles round trip
~ must more private than other falls in the area

other good ones that are more difficult and less family-friendly:
Dry River Falls, Nancy Cascades, #13 Falls, Beaver Brook Falls, Eliza Brook Cascades

and some classic roadside or close-to-roadside falls:
Sabbaday Falls, Glen Ellis Falls, Silver Cascade, Crystal Cascade

list of NH falls

 

[sweeper]

I know it's up the Wildernot and all, but I'd throw out Franconia Falls and then 13 Falls. 13 Falls is definitely worth the trip. It's a 16.2 out and back, i believe...

The reason I throw it out there is because i've hiked w/ some 'gym shape' people who seem to prefer the longer, flatter stretches to the vertical stuff I tend to prefer.

just my $0.02,

Mike

And there is a half dozen more about a half mile up the Franconia Brk Tr.

See Post below on Photo'n Fall this autumn for details and pics

 

[WhiteMTHike]

I just wanted to post again to thank you all for your helpful responses. I just picked up a copy of "Waterfalls of the White Mountains" by Bruce and Doreen Bolnick. This book along with all the responses from all of you will make for some great waterfalls hiking. Thank you all.

 

[askus3]

I like the waterfalls in the Evans Notch area. Bickford Slides at the base of the trail up to the Blueberry ledges is worth exploring. The Upper Slide (falls) has a beautiful pool that I love to swim in and there is a cave overhang up the hill on the west side of the pool. It is a very interesting area. Then you can continue to Speckled Mountain and return by the Blueberry Ledge Trail. Actually if it is warm enough and you really want a dip, do the hike in reverse so you get to swim towards the end of the hike.

Kees Falls en route to Mt. Caribou is also a scenic waterfall worth the visit in the Evans Notch area.

Way off the beaten path and far to the north and worth the stop if you ever have the inkling to climb Percy Peak is Pond Brook Falls. My group enjoyed a swim there last month. It is quite impressive and worth the journey combined with a trek over the Percy Peaks.

 

[Barbarossa]

Fletcher Cascades is off the Drakes Brook trail in Waterville Valley. I don't know the mileage, but it's not too far. They were pretty spectacular frozen.

 

[askus3]

When you go in to Fletcher Cascade about 1+ mile. After that return back on the spur trail only 1/2 mile to a convergence of Fletcher & Drakes Brook. (Check out this convergence on the way in). From this convergence it is an easy and short bushwack to the Drakes Brook Trail. Then you can continue and make a nice 8 mile hike to Jennings Peak & Sandwich Dome.

 

[dom15931]

Bridal Veil falls (Coppermine Trail) would be my recommendation if someone is not too into hiking. Easy hike, not too popular and nice view of the falls. There is nothing worse than a miserable significant other female companion...belive me I know not to talk her into anything

 

[Kevin Rooney]

Has anyone mentioned Glen Ellis Falls just south of Pinkham? Lots of bang for little effort.

 

[rocksnrolls]

Georgiana and Harvard Falls

After hiking across the Bonds on Saturday with SilentCal, MtnMagic, Bob[andJerri] and others, I decided a short hike was due the next day to stretch out my weary legs. Since I had spent the night at the Mt Liberty Cabins, I decided to head to the nearby Georgiana Falls. Georgiana Falls weren't all that much to talk about. Sure, they're pretty enough and it's a very easy hike up to them - and I'm sure they'd be more impressive in the spring. But I'm really glad I knew about Harvard Falls which are further up the Harvard Brook. The trail was a bit hard to follow - multiple herd paths and only the occasional red paint blaze to help guide you - but I stayed near the brook and eventually made it up to the falls. There's an awesome outlook across a gorge to the falls and they really are spectacular! If you head up to Georgiana, be sure to continue to Harvard. I'm planning to head back in the spring! Maybe the winter too