As the Interpretive Ranger stationed at the Hiker’s Cabin in Franconia Notch State Park, I provide hundreds of visitors with information about our trails, attractions and wildlife each week. While talking to a couple of hikers about moderate trails with beautiful views, I realized that Mt. Pemigewasset is often overlooked. This moderate, 3.3 mile out […]
Tag: Franconia Notch State Park
The Eastern Brook Trout
By: Brian Donovan, Interpretive Ranger at Franconia Notch State Park Salvelinus fontinalis, (Mitchill, 1814) Humans have always been fascinated by fish. They are truly marvelous creatures. Our love affair with these animals is ancient. For as long as our species has been around, we have interacted with fish in a variety of ways. Perhaps my […]
The Tracks of New Hampshire: Find Tracks or Try!
A huge part of being an Interpretive Ranger is putting on programs for park visitors. One of my programs is about the ways wildlife moves and their tracks. If you really look around yourself while you hike you’ll notice the signs of wildlife all around you. You can see vegetation pushed down, scat, and track […]
The Waterfalls of Franconia
Franconia Notch has no shortage of waterfalls. A short walk up Falling Waters Trail will bring you to three picturesque waterfalls: Stairs Falls, Swiftwater Falls and Cloudland Falls (the largest of the three). While the upper half of the Falling Waters Trail is strenuous, the 1.4-mile walk up to the three waterfalls is fairly family-friendly. […]
Frontcountry vs. Backcountry
Special post from the SCA NH Corps, Conservation Crew (by Annie Cohen): Greetings from another frontcountry carpentry hitch! This time my crew is working at the top of the Flume Gorge in Franconia Notch State Park. The rain shelter we are building will be appropriately titled: Top o’ Gorge. The sign is already made—all we […]
Nightlife of the Notch
After my night programs, it is usually dark. As I walk home to our humble abode (the hiker cabin), I can’t help but notice the starry sky on a clear night. The constellations are so visible, it is unreal. Franconia Notch is just over 1,000ft above sea level. You don’t even have to climb a […]
Fishing In Franconia Notch
Franconia Notch State Park is not only for hikers and campers. This state park hosts many other recreational pursuits as well. Bikers can enjoy the paved bike path that runs the entire length of the park, while people who enjoy kayaking can paddle in both Echo and Profile Lake. Perhaps one of my favorite recreational […]
The Black Bears of Franconia Notch State Park
You may find yourself driving by the Franconia Notch State Park Tramway (Exit 34B), looking to the great slopes of Cannon Mountain to find, what looks like, black blobs. You look closer and wouldn’t you know it, those black blobs are moving! What you see are Black Bears foraging along the green grassy ski slopes. […]
Franconia Notch: Welcome to the Wild
One of the first things you notice as you drive into Franconia Notch State Park is the massive amount of wildflowers covering the highway and hillsides. Wild Lupines flood the median that splits North and South Interstate 93, which cuts through the heart of Franconia. Mountains line the highways and in every direction you look […]
Early Spring Ride down the Franconia Notch Bike Path
Biking down the Franconia Notch Bike Path is one of the best ways to see the natural wonders and attractions of the notch – while getting some much needed exercise. The paved bike path runs from Skookumchuck Trailhead all the way down to the Flume Gorge Visitor Center, passing Governor Gallen Memorial (Sunset Bridge), Echo […]