At exactly 6:30AM the second floor of the Hiker Cabin is filled with the sound of Notre Dame like church bells. It is my phone alarm, and it means that it is officially time to start my day and get out of bed. I get dressed and head downstairs because soon there will be curious […]
hiking
Hiker Safety 101: Franconia Notch
There are many amazing ways to discover the outdoors. Today, hiking is perhaps one of the most popular ways to enjoy the natural world. For many people, myself included, hiking is an amazing way to decompress, find spiritual renewal, and reset my mind from the everyday hustle and bustle. However, if not taken seriously, hiking […]
Hiking Mount Pemigewasset
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 […]
Destination: Chocorua
Blog written by Pete Lampley – Interpreter at White Lake State Park Lounging carelessly on the shores of White Lake, you can take in a stunning view. Loons dive in and out of the lake. Ducks and their ducklings saunter from the picnic tables behind you into the designated swimming area (nice of them to […]
8 Waterfalls in a Day: Hiking in Crawford Notch
There are more than 10 waterfalls in and around Crawford Notch State Park. So, we wondered – how many could we hike to in a single day? For us the magic number was 8 – but for others it might be more or less. Since an adventure like this may take the better part of […]
Trails of Pawtuckaway
Summer is now gone and the air is getting chilly, but that doesn’t mean it’s time to pack up, and say good bye to Pawtuckaway until next spring. It may be too cold for a dip in the lake, but Fall is a great time of year to rediscover the park in a whole new […]
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. […]
Reliving the Flood: Clough State Park’s Lost Trail (And How to Find It)
Written by Interpretive Ranger Darren Lu: In 2006, Clough State Park experienced two consecutive seasons of heavy rains – enough so that by the summer of 2006, the entire park was underwater. Continued rain and snowfall the following year forced the park to close until 2008, and remnants of the deluge can still be seen […]
Mt. Major: A Family-Friendly Hike with Fanatic-Friendly Views
Located in Alton, just 7 miles south of Ellacoya State Park, a short hike up Mt. Major (1,785 feet) provides spectacular panoramic views of Lake Winnipesaukee. This hike leads up to Mt. Major State Forest which is in the Belknap Range. The loop described below is a perfect half-day hike whether you are 5 years old […]
Bring Mom to Odiorne!
This trip is bound to satisfy Mom and the kids alike. Start the day by dropping by the Seacoast Science Center (located within the park); holding sea stars, browsing their aquariums, and learning about marine life. Then, walk the trails around the Odiorne Point State Park looking for signs of spring, exploring the old military […]