The glacial boulder near the trail junction that marked the starting and ending of the Flume-Pool Loop Hike We had a choice of hiking to the left along a trail or going down to a little cul-de-sac where a shuttle would periodically come and go. Once we got past the entrance window, we then went out through the back of the visitor center where there was a nice view of the Autumn colors with Mt Liberty and Mt Flume backing the scene. The admission fee to do this hike was a steep $15 per adult.įortunately, Tahia got to go in free as she was well under 5 years of age. There was also a greasy cafe here that was convenient for us when we finished our hike. One of the historical artifacts on display inside the Flume Visitor Center So we bumped up the difficulty score as a result though I could easily imagine someone not as encumbered as I was would have an easier time.Īnyways, we did the loop hike in a counterclockwise manner, which began from a fairly large visitor center that featured some historic displays as well as some stuffed life-sized animals as well. Moreover, I was carrying our daughter on my back in a carrier, which further added to the exertion on this hike. Logistics of the Flume-Pool Loop Hike The narrow walkway traversing the Flume Gorge on the way to waterfalls and more as part of the Flume-Pool Loop HikeĮven though the loop trail had a modest length, there was some elevation gain and loss of about 250ft in both directions to add to the difficulty. While none of the waterfalls blew us away individually, it was the cumulative experience of the waterfalls taken together along with the other features of the hike that really made this place rejuvenating and enlightening for the family. Judging from how busy this place was during our visit, we definitely concurred with the assessment that it was popular.Īs for the waterfalls of the Flume, we counted three fairly significant waterfalls in this hike (maybe even a fourth one, which you’ll see for reasons later on in this page). In fact, we had read in the literature that the Flume-Pool loop was the most popular hike in the state of New Hampshire. ![]() ![]() Waterfall at the Pool along the Flume-Pool Loop Hike ![]() Glacial Boulders: Some of these "erratics" dumped here by Ice Age glaciers weigh more than 300 tons.The waterfalls of The Flume (or more formally the Flume-Pool Loop) were really more of an excuse to talk this spectacular hike that seemed to sample the best of New England’s nature and heritage.įor example, the roughly 2-mile loop hike got us close to a bear cave, a wolf den, a pair of covered bridges, glacial boulders, deep gorges, and even vistas that were further accentuated by the peak of the Fall colors.Wolf Den: Good luck crawling and wriggling your way through the rocks if you opt to follow this narrow, one-way path.Sentinel Pine Covered Bridge: Pause as you walk across this second covered bridge to admire the view of the Pemigewasset River.This is a particularly beautiful spot in the fall.Liberty Gorge: I you choose to continue the hiking loop, follow the Ridge Path downhill and watch for signs pointing you toward this gorge and its cascading mountain stream.Bear Cave: This dark, boulder-roofed cavern begs to be explored. ![]() You'll have an up-close view from the top of the Flume and feel the falls' cooling mist. Avalanche Falls: Since 1883, this thunderous, 45-foot waterfall has given the gorge its soundtrack.The Old Man of the Mountain, a gone but not forgotten feature of Franconia Notch State Park, was also made of Conway granite. Table Rock: A massive outcropping of pinkish Conway granite smoothed by Flume Brook.It's one of the oldest surviving covered bridges in New Hampshire. The Flume Covered Bridge: A bright red "kissing bridge" built in 1886 over the Pemigewasset River.
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