Spring Travel in New Hampshire's Pinkham Notch
Take A Spring Break or School Vacation in the White Mountains
Apr 3, 2009
Summer trips through the mountains are great, but the views of the peaks are often hidden by the luxuriant foliage of the forests. Spring trips have the advantage not only of enjoying the return of warm temperatures, but of views not yet hidden by the leaves.
In the northeast, the peaks of New Hampshire’s White Mountain National Forest also still have the advantage of deep snow still on their peaks in the early spring, snow that contrasts sharply and stunningly against the deep greens of the pine and fir forests. The snow-capped tops of the Presidential Range stand high above the forest, and visible through the trees.
Entering the Mt. Washington Valley
Route 16 runs through the north-country village of Conway and through the outlet shopping haven of North Conway, before turning north at Glen and on up through the wilderness of Pinkham Notch. The notches are passages through the Appalachian Mountains, and Pinkham is less well-known than either Crawford Notch or Franconia Notch. While the notch itself is less dramatic than these, the views of the mountains are no less inspiring.
In the town of Jackson, the Wildcat River races down out of Carter Notch, falling and cascading over granite outcroppings to form the stair-stepped Jackson Falls. Take the Carter Notch Road in front of the Wentworth Resort and a short distance up the road the falls will be on the right side. It’s a good place for a picnic, but be careful of slippery rocks.
Appalachian Mountain Club
The Appalachian Mountain Club Pinkham Notch Visitor Center is s few miles further up Route 16. The AMC is famed for its role in promoting hiking and walking trails in the mountains, and this is one of its primary centers. Look for the trail to Lost Pond across the road and, behind the center, follow the trail to Crystal Cascade, a series of falls and cascades well worth the hike. When all that snow melts in the spring, waterfalls and cascades are at their finest. Inside the AMC Center are trail maps, a shop, dining and a hiker hostel.
Wildcat Mountain Ski Area is further up the road. Its gondola cars take non-skiers to the top of the mountain for expansive views of Mount Washington and the rest of the Presidential Range. In early spring the top is snow-covered, but by late May the landscapes are beginning to green. In the summer, Wildcat has zip line tours.
Great Glen Trails
The Great Glen Outdoors Center is probably the best place to get broad views of the whole of the Presidential Range. From their parking lot, which stands above the entry to the Mount Washington Auto Road, are views of Mount Washington, Mount Jefferson, Mount Adams and Mount Madison, as well as the Great Gulf and Tuckerman’s Ravine. The Outdoor Center is the home of Great Glen Trails, another top choice for walking or hiking. The center has mountain bikes for rent, and guided paddling tours on the Androscoggin River. They also have a good cafeteria.
Shelburne Birches
The views continue as Route 16 heads north into Gorham. Turn right onto Route 2 toward Maine to see the Shelburne Birches, a stretch of highway famed for the beauty of the white birch trees lining the roadsides. Without leaves, it is possible to see past the stark white trunks the mountains and ponds beyond them. A mile or so past the comfortable Mount Washington B&B look for the sign to the Old Man of the Valley, a natural stone formation, and further on -- about 2 miles from the inn -- a stone fish on the south side of the road.
 |
 |
 |
