By Andrea Klaphake, Franconia Notch State Park Interpretive Ranger
Two Months of roaming the trails at Franconia Notch State Park. I have covered a lot of ground and talked to hundreds of people from all over New England, Canada, and the world. In attempts to be a visible resource in Franconia Notch State Park, I have compiled a number of viewpoints and experiences from around the park to give myriad experiences all on one page. Watch videos and look at pictures of the many nooks and crannies of this majestic park. Franconia Notch State Park was recently rated the second best state park in the United States by Adventure Journal magazine; which is easy to see why when you look at the proof in this blog.
The hike up to Cannon Mountain was filled with spectacular views of the Franconia Ridgeline from a distance and looking down into Lonesome Lake. Towards the later portion of the trail, there is a constructed timber ladder that takes you right past a rocky outcropping to yet more rock to walk upon. It was exhilarating and definitely a hike to do on a day where there is no precipitation because of the last section fashioned out of smoothed rock.
Typically, I spend every Saturday afternoon at the Flume Gorge Visitor’s Center teaching visitors about New Hampshire wild life. It is fun to explain clues to kids and adults. It is also a great Segway to the scavenger hunt I have set up for families as they are walking up the first portion of the 2-mile walk. Kids will return their scavenger sheet to me and they receive an animal track card for their personal reference. Kids get into it and it keeps them excited about going on a walk.
One of my favorite loops is a 6.4 mile loop that includes Lonesome Lake, waterfalls, and the Basin. The best kept secret for a relatively easy day hike would be this hike. There isn’t a ton of elevation gained and you can even switch direction in order to avoid climbing 1,800 feet. I videoed a particular section that isn’t too far from the Basin that provides granite slabs and boulders crowding the Cascade Brook as the hiker follows it up to Lonesome Lake. Take a look at one of my favorite stopping points along the way!
(Photos from around the park)
