Arethusa Falls in Crawford Notch State Park is often regarded as the tallest waterfall in New Hampshire, with a drop of around 140 feet. After Bemis Falls, the trail becomes very steep and challenging for a few hundred yards. Located within the White Mountain National Forest, Crawford Notch is known for its scenic beauty and its waterfalls. Continue on Bemis Brook Trail for another quarter of a mile until you get to Bemis Falls. Most trails leave the park and enter the White Mountain National Forest. Crawford Notch State Park contains a number of waterfalls in its boundaries. The following two tabs change content below. All images and text are Copyright 1998-2021 ScenicNH Photography LLC / Erin Paul Donovan. However, its height is of great controversy. This is a must do if you have a little spare time in the notch…or if you just finished the number 1 hike. The Old Man of the Mountain , a rock formation on Cannon Mountain that resembled the craggy profile of a man's face, was a White Mountain landmark until it fell in May 2003. Perfect information, Thanks! Depending upon the source, Arethusa Falls is anywhere from 125 feet tall to "well over 200 feet in height." Crawford Notch itself is a monument to his … Best Waterfall Trails in Crawford Notch State Park | AllTrails Ripley Falls, Crawford Notch – Located on Avalanche Brook in Crawford Notch, New Hampshire, the 100 foot Ripley Falls is one of the more picturesque waterfalls in the White Mountains. Dry River Campground Information. From Ripley Falls trailhead drive north on Rt 302 for about three and a half miles. Crawford Notch State Park has a landscape of mountains, forests, river and waterfalls, making it a beautiful scenery to hike, observe wildlife, camp and fish. 2. A few areas available to pull off road for pictures. For us the magic number was 8 – but for others it might be more or less. Gibbs Falls has a 35 foot total drop, not a very steep waterfall but more of a … All rights reserved. The one verifiable fact is that Henry W. Ripley of North Conway and Mr. Porter (maybe William D.) of New York did explore Avalanche Brook, called Cow Brook at the time, in September 1858. Continue on to 4,312-foot Mount Pierce for terrific mountain views and a taste of alpine habitat. They discovered two water features and named the lower one Sylvan-Glade Cataract and the upper one Sparkling Cascade. Height: Varies. Wonderful time hiking Arethusa Falls with a dear friend many moins ago! This 250-foot drop is absolutely stunning, and is fully viewable from the road in Crawford Notch State Park. Welcome to the photoblog of Erin Paul Donovan, a professional photographer located in the White Mountains of New Hampshire USA. I started out along the Bemis Brook Trail with a friend, and we quickly got into the woods and discovered Bemis Brook, a beautiful river that flows down off the western wall of Crawford Notch. Hiking Distance: 1.6 miles (one way via Bemis Brook/Arethusa Falls Trail). The Basin, Cascades, Kinsman Falls, Rocky Glen Falls. The Crawford family knew the area inside and out. There are more than 10 waterfalls in and around Crawford Notch State Park. One of the main attractions is Arethusa Falls, a 160′ falls. I think it’s worth it, though depending on what path you take, there may be some regret, physically that is. But Sparkling Cascade, now considered a forgotten waterfall, is no longer the tourist attraction it was during the mid and late 1800s. Crawford Notch Hiking Map This park, located in the White Mountains, offers popular family hikes to unique cliffs and brisk waterfalls including the highest in the state, Arethusa Falls. You can walk across Rt 302 and access both of these falls from there. THE FALLS Crawford Notch State Park is rich with noteworthy waterfalls. Mountains on both sides of the highway, so close yo can see hikers and train tracks. And while Henry W. Ripley is credited for discovering these waterfalls, you can’t help but wonder if Abel Crawford discovered them first. Thompson Falls at Wildcat are also very nice but can be a bit crowded. Only 2.6 miles round trip, and located in the beautiful Crawford Notch. The blog post below describes how we managed to hike to 8 Crawford Notch waterfalls in one day: Hiking Distance: .25 mi (one way via Bemis Brook Trail). East Branch & Lincoln Railroad, Utility Poles. Hiking Distance: .6 mi (follow Avalon Trail to Cascade Loop). This innocent looking white ribbon has managed to slice... Scenic USA - … Once you’ve had your fill of falls – head back to Dry River Campground and relax next to a nice campfire! Crawford Notch State Park has 5,775 acres providing access to numerous hiking trails, waterfalls, fishing, wildlife viewing, and spectacular mountain views. This set of falls is a short 1.5 mile hike – located on Route 302 in the town of Livermore. From Silver and Flume Cascade drive north on Rt 302 for about a mile until you reach Crawford Depot. Hiking Distance: .25 mi (one way via Bemis Brook Trail) Hiking Time: 12 minutes. It is a half-mile easy walk in from the parking area off Route 302 and well-marked. The campground in the park is Dry River Campground and offers 36 wooded sites. When you approach Silver and Flume Cascade you’ll see two parking areas for viewing the falls on the left side of the road – pull off and park there. The trail starts to become more rocky/rooty and challenging on this section of the trail. Water Source: Pemigewasset … of Crawford Notch. And though they were aware of the brook’s name (Cow Brook), they call it Ripley’s Brook, and the ravine the brook is in they call Porter’s Ravine. Digital Marketing Manager for New Hampshire Division of Parks and Recreation. You can walk across Rt 302 and access both of these falls from there. An operating Inn since the 1920s, Notchland’s traditions of hospitality are inextricably linked to Abel Crawford’s 18th century Mt. Hiking Distance: .5 mi (via Ripley Falls Trail). All Rights Reserved. Follow the Cascade Loop Trail until you see the sign for Pearl Cascade. Your email address will not be published. Erin Paul is a professional photographer who specializes in environmental conservation and historic preservation photography in the New Hampshire White Mountains. 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. Arethusa Falls in Crawford Notch, is top on the list of reader favorites. Go out of you way to drive through this area of the White Mts. There are two ways to access this trail from Crawford Notch State Park. for you. Read more about Arethusa Falls 10. And while the waterfall is impressive, the history of Ripley Falls and Avalanche Brook is intriguing. Turn left here and follow the trail for another quarter mile until you see the sign for Beecher Cascade. Towards the north end of the park are Gibbs Falls, Beecher and Pearl Cascades, and the towering sister waterfalls known as Flume Cascade and Silver Cascade. In search of the highest single-drop falls in New Hampshire, I headed over to Crawford Notch today to see the famous Arethusa falls. Most accounts say Henry W. Ripley and a Mr. Porter first discovered the waterfall in September 1858. But other accounts say a fisherman found the waterfall before Ripley. The drive through Crawford Notch is awe inspiring. Pearl Cascade is just a short walk up the trail from Beecher Cascade. Once you’ve visited these accessible New Hampshire waterfalls, be sure to check out these outdoorsy things that anyone in New Hampshire can do . A spectacular plunge. Since an adventure like this may take the better part of a day – if you’re planning to try it yourself – you might want to reserve a campsite at Dry River Campground before setting out. While the name Ripley Falls seemed to have stuck, the brook would continue to be referred to by its numerous names throughout the mid and late 1800s. Some of the below resources are affiliate links, and we will earn a commission if you use that link to make a purchase. Length: Three miles round-trip or five-mile loop. Lying on the Ellis River, Glen Ellis Falls is a natural spectacle. USGS Topo: Crawford Notch to Stairs Mountain, NH Mizpah Spring Hut, located in a clearing in the boreal forest at an elevation of 3,800 feet, is an excellent place to see mountain birds. Glen Ellis Falls. About 3.4 miles south of height of land, you'll turn into the well marked parking area for Ripley Falls. And while the waterfall is impressive, the history of Ripley Falls and Avalanche Brook is intriguing. And the only mention of Cow Brook, Ripley's Brook, and Sylvan-Glade Cataract is in old publications. The terrain levels off a bit after connecting again with the Arethusa Falls Trail. Discounting the seasonal/ephemeral waterfalls, Arethusa Falls is believed to be the tallest single-drop waterfall that is trail-accessible in New England. And Porter Ravine, named in honor of Ripley’s companion on that September 1858 day, has also been forgotten. Camping is available in the park. New Summer Video Series: Limitless Adventure, reserve a campsite at Dry River Campground. Here’s The Most Jaw Dropping Waterfall In All 50 States. Required fields are marked *. © 2020 NH State Parks. And in his 1859 book, The White Hills: Their Legends, Landscape and Poetry he suggests changing the name of Cow Brook to Avalanche Brook (for the 1826 Willey House disaster). Rating: Moderate … This is so helpful! During this day long waterfall adventure we will hike to as many of the 8 waterfalls within Crawford Notch as time and your desire for adventure allows. Much like its neighbor just uphill, Flume Cascade, this cascade is a series of waterfalls dropping down the side of Crawford Notch. His work is published worldwide, and credits include; Backpacker Magazine, Appalachian Trail Conservancy, the Appalachian Mountain Club, and The Wilderness Society. Directions: Take Route 302 into Crawford Notch. And another account says Henry W. Ripley was a companion of the legendary Abel Crawford (1766–1851), who discovered the waterfall while out trapping sable. The beautiful Silver Cascade in Crawford Notch is one of those White Mountains gems that's located right along the roadside. Although I have seen height estimates up to 1000 feet for both of these falls, I think that figure is greatly exaggerated. But for some thrill-seeking visitors to Ripley Falls in Crawford Notch State Park, simply sitting idly by and watching the water go by isn't enough. In the book “The Connecticut by Daylight” by Thursty McQuill, published in 1874, is a copy of an entry made in the Old Crawford House register. The White Mountains of New Hampshire are a wonderful place to escape, explore and create unforgettable memories. Heavily visited Arethusa Falls, the second tallest waterfall in New Hampshire, lies on a southwest flank of Crawford Notch. Hiking Distance: 0 miles (parking is available across the street) (you can hike around on the ledges next to the falls if desired), Hiking Time: 0 minutes (located right off of Rt. But don't stop at Arethusa Falls- there are more than 10 waterfalls in and around Crawford Notch State Park. We take in several waterfall hikes every year for the beauty and so I can paint them. Crawford Notch State Park is rich in history with the famous Willey House. So, we wondered – how many could we hike to in a single day? Crawford Notch State Park, Hart's Location: Address, Phone Number, Crawford Notch State Park Reviews: 4.5/5. Start off on the Avalon Trail (right behind Crawford Depot) and after about a quarter of a mile you’ll see a sign for the Cascade Loop. To license any of the photos in this blog article for publications, click on the photo. There is some parking available at Crawford Depot and more hiker parking further up the road if needed. Hiking Distance: .5 mi (take Avalon Trail to Cascade Loop). Ripley Falls, Crawford Notch – Located on Avalanche Brook in Crawford Notch, New Hampshire, the 100 foot Ripley Falls is one of the more picturesque waterfalls in the White Mountains. From the Arethusa Falls Trailhead drive north on Rt 302 for about two and half miles until you see the sign for Ripley Falls. Along the way to the main attraction, though, you can veer off and see two other smaller falls. Arethusa Falls | Hart’s Location. From the trail junction it’s about a mile hike on moderately difficult terrain to reach Arethusa Falls. We are often on the hunt for short easier hikes with great views for us aging ones. Willey Brook Falls, Crawford Notch – These falls are an impressive series of cascades located on Willey Brook, above Willey Brook Trestle (above), on the side of Mount Willard in Crawford Notch, New Hampshire.The real adventure is just getting to them, which can be tricky if you use the wrong route. Glen Ellis Falls – Jackson. Part of the … Your email address will not be published. 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 Arethusa-Ripley Falls Trail passes by this waterfall. Dated September 10th, 1858, the entry verifies Ripley and Porter did find two unique water features on Cow Brook. The Arethusa-Ripley Falls Trail passes by this waterfall. The trail closely parallels Bemis Brook. Crawford Notch State Park has 5,775 acres providing access to numerous hiking trails, waterfalls, fishing, wildlife viewing, and spectacular mountain views. Terrain is fairly easy on this first section of the trail. Hiking Distance: .5 miles (one way via Bemis Brook Trail). Crawford Notch State Park - Hart's Location (Route 302). Start off on Arethusa Falls Trail and… • The next stop on your waterfall adventure is Crawford Notch. We will be going next week….do you think the waterfalls are still flowing since it is July? It's unknown who originally named the brook Cow Brook, but it seems possible Abel Crawford named it. Crawford Notch Waterfall Hikes My sweetheart, Marilyn, and I recently visited northern New Hampshire to samples some of the Crawford Notch Waterfall Hikes in the White Mountain National Forest of New Hampshire. Gibbs Falls is located in Bean’s Grant NH, which is located in Crawford Notch within the White Mountain National Forest. Crawford House which stood on this property, and whose tavern is now our dining room. From the parking area Ripley Falls is about a half mile hike up moderately difficult terrain. You'll want to continue your journey through Franconia Notch and get on Route 3 north at exit 35. Hi! And he also suggests changing the name of Sylvan-Glade Cataract to Ripley Falls in honor of Henry W. Ripley. When you approach Silver and Flume Cascade you’ll see two parking areas for the falls on the left side of the road – pull off and park there. Ripley Falls – This waterfall is a 100-foot tall and located in Crawford Notch State Park. 302). It's a spectacular sight accessible by an easy half day hike. Turn left and follow the road to the parking area for Ripley Falls Trail and Ethan Pond Trail. There seems to be some confusion on who first discovered Ripley Falls. Arethusa Falls. The terrain starts out rather easy and gets moderately difficult when you get closer to the falls. Crawford Notch State Park is rich in history with the famous Willey House. If that’s not enough – here are a few other waterfalls in/around Crawford Notch: Kendron Flume (follow the Kedron Trail .75 mi), Gibbs Falls (follow Crawford Path .6 mi), Nancy Cascade (located a little south of the Notch – follow Nancy Pond Trail 2.4 mi). Today, the brook is called Avalanche Brook, and Ripley Falls is a huge attraction. Connect with us on Facebook | Historic Information Disclaimer | Purchase Our EB&L Railroad Book, XHTML: You can use these tags:

. From Ripley Falls trailhead drive north on Rt 302 for about three and a half miles. ? There are few natural wonders more enchanting than a beautiful waterfall. CRAWFORD NOTCH, NH (NEWS CENTER) - Many of us have spent time in the White Mountains sitting by a waterfall and enjoying the view. Ripley Falls – Crawford Notch, New Hampshire, Sparkling Cascade – Crawford Notch, New Hampshire. Start on Ethan Pond Trail, then follow Arethusa-Ripley Falls Trail to this gorgeous 100 foot waterfall Ripley Falls is a beautiful 100-foot waterfall flowing over a smooth rock wall. Arethusa falls is one of New Hampshire’s biggest waterfalls at 140 feet tall. About 640 vertical feet seems more likely. Return via the Arethusa Falls Trail for a less difficult descent. The Ellis River plummets 64 feet to the basin below in a torrent of white water at this … Abel Crawford and his family were the first to settle in Crawford Notch, known then as White Mountain Notch. Ripley Falls has one of … This is a great family hike, taking approximately 1.5 – 3 hours round trip. The other option is to take the Kedron Flume Trail behind the Willey House Cafe on Route 302 1.3 miles up to the Appalachian Trail Junction. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Experience towering peaks, stunning scenery unrivaled anywhere in the Northeast, spectacular waterfalls, tax-free shopping, limitless recreation and 17 legendary attractions that have all provided a lifetime of memories and cheer for generations of visitors. You’ll pass Fawn Pool and come up quickly on Coliseum Falls. Start off on Arethusa Falls Trail and bear left at the trail junction to follow Bemis Brook Trail. From ethereal forest brooks to roaring alpine cascades, the U.S. is home to some of the most amazing waterfalls in the world. One option is to start at the Ripley Falls trailhead and take the Appalachian Trail junction up to Ethan Pond 0.2 miles in. 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