The trail gets quite steep here and is slippery in places when wet. The forest went silent; an eerie calm entered the woods; and we all looked at each other with a feeling of uncertain expectation. She agreed. With leaf season officially over I think it is safe to hit one of the tourist attractions in the state, Arethusa Falls. Towering over 100 feet in height, the great Arethusa Falls is one of the most popular waterfalls in the White Mountains. That’s why I climbed up the Frankenstein side first. 10/19/2016 03/01/2019 Gary. The way we went up was not maintained (at all) and the whitewash lichen looks too much like the white blazes used to mark the actual trail. This hike is popular on the weekends, especially the 1.5 mile hike that goes directly to the falls. The trailhead is located just off of US-302 and is also the trailhead for the Frankenstein Cliffs. But when Logan and I left New Bedford at 5 a.m., the sun had yet to fully crest the horizon, and the temperature hovered closer to 70° F.  A little less than an hour later when we scooped up Brad, some miles south of Boston, sun and clouds were mixed, but the weather was still comfortable. We decided to do this trail and do the whole loop with the Frankenstein Cliff trail. I scurried around for a bit refusing to believe we couldn’t find some way to the top that didn’t involve technical rock-climbing. At 1.3 miles, the trail intersects the Arethusa-Ripley Falls Trail. Change ), You are commenting using your Twitter account. We decided to do this trail and do the whole loop with the Frankenstein Cliff trail. No duplication of photos, maps, or text without permission. We rested; we lunched; we plotted. ( Log Out /  Arethusa Falls and Frankenstein Cliff Trail ist ein 5.1 Meilen langer, stark besuchter Rundweg in der Nähe von Bartlett, New Hampshire. Overnight parking is not allowed. Frankenstein Cliff Trail, Arethusa Falls Trail: Date of Hike: Saturday, May 23, 2020: Parking/Access Road Notes: Plenty of parking. The summit is often obscured by cloud however you might get lucky and catch a glimpse of it. It’s always easier to climb steeps instead of descending them. OSPREY-PACKS: 2020 Model Clearance! Change ), You are commenting using your Facebook account. The foot of the cliffs is scree and very unsafe. The hiking trails get much easier here as it heads downhill to the falls. In retrospect this was the right decision. Arethusa Falls - Frankenstein Cliff - Duration: 7:05. In the end, we decided to simply hike back to the tracks and finish the day by hiking the Falls trail. The lower parking area is larger. Then I came upon this sign, that said it’s only 6/10 of a mile from the trailhead to the cliff. 302 and is well marked. Frankenstein Cliff is a prominent bluff that juts out from the tableland south of Mt. It took ke forty years to find my passion, and I try not to waste any of it–not always successfully. For comparison, the day-use fees for most New Hampshire state parks is $3.00, and the day-use fee for most White Mountain National Forest recreation areas is $3.00. We started off on the Arethusa Falls trail and took Frankenstein Cliff on our descent down. The Arethusa Falls Trail is located within New Hampshire’s Crawford Notch State Park, which itself is contained within the larger White Mountains National Forest. We also went ahead and added on the Bemis Falls trail when we came across it. Brad maintained there was no way around the cliffs without falling off the damn mountain. This suggests to me that a fair number of people found themselves in the same predicament: following the Whitewash Lichen they mistook for blazes and the well-worn pathways of runoff in lieu of the actual “trail” to guide them toward the cliffs. Aside from a few cramps on our way up to Arethusa Falls, it was easy going from here. ( Log Out /  Change ), You are commenting using your Google account. They are located in Harts Location, New Hampshire, on a spur road, signed for Arethusa Falls, off of Rt. You’ll need to get on it for a few tenths of a mile, passing once again the Falls-Cliff Trail sign, before reaching the lower lot where you left your car. And remember friends, get out there! The Arethusa Falls and Frankenstein Cliff trailheads are within Crawford Notch State Park. Hike uphill through open woods until you come to an easy stream crossing with a sign pointing left for the falls (Arethusa Falls) and right for the cliff (Frankenstein Cliff). It becomes all the more difficult due to the fact that the markers do not seem to have been painted in years; they are faded, and in many cases it’s impossible to tell the difference between a painted trail sign and the Whitewash Lichen (Phlyctis argena) ubiquitous to this area of the forest. Trailforks ranks trails with a combination of user ratings and raw trail usage data from rides. Arethusa Falls Road is just south of the Willey House on Rt. After lunch at the falls, proceed on the Arethusa-Ripley trail as it winds south of a brook, crosses it, and comes back around, then continues north, later east to the Frankenstein Cliff Trail. Tate, Black Snout and Mt. According to this sign, from the Frankenstein Cliff Trail along the Arethusa-Ripley Falls Trail to Arethusa Falls Trail is 1.2 miles. Located in Crawford Notch, the trailhead is located off Rt 302 within easy reach of the other attractions along that scenic route. Would you recommend the Frankenstein hike for 7- and 9-year-old girls who rarely hike but are athletic? Back on the Arethusa Falls Trail, which gets its girth by following old woods roads. All six of us ended up off-trail, even though they had a map. Change ). This is still a working bridge, although it’s not in use during the winter months. ... Appalachian Trail 2018 Episode 37 - Crawford Notch to Pinkham Notch Visitors Center - Duration: 24:04. Get a map and see. As I turned and saw Brad coming toward me, I can only describe the look on his face as determined: lips pursed, brow furrowed, eyes laser-focused. I took a picture of the trail map back in the parking lot on my phone, but this proved useless. Getting back into the swing after two broken arms. The Frankenstein Cliff trail-head is located in Crawford Notch State Park and parking is right off the highway directly on 302. Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. In that moment, because he looked determined, not scared or worried, it was unclear to me if he had engaged in a controlled slide or if he had slipped; so, I made a snap-judgment and continued to cling to my Birch with my right arm, while reaching for the handle on the top of his daypack with my left, arresting his fall. There’s even a view of distant Arethusa Falls visible as you continue along the trail which travels along the cliff top. Appalachian Mountain Club White Mountain Guide, 30th ed. Located in Crawford Notch, the trailhead is located off Rt 302 within easy reach of the other attractions along that scenic route. After doing a little bit of research, some of which included a painfully outdated, not to mention faded, guidebook, we chose the 6 mile loop that led to the Arethusa Falls, … The Whites, at more modest elevations, say, below 3,000 or 4,000 feet, rarely have switchbacks: they often shoot in the straightest line to the top of the mountain. Frankenstein Cliffs are visible and majestic from the parking lot. Logan didn’t say much; he hiked; he rested; he hiked some more: a real trooper. Shortly after passing the highest point of the hike, you'll reach the intersection with the Arethusa-Ripley Falls Trail, where you should continue going straight, beginning your descent and transitioning from the Frankenstein Cliff Trail to the Arethusa Falls Trail. We went clockwise. Dogs are also able to use this trail. Coupon Code: SAVE10TODAY. BACKCOUNTRY.COM: New Year's Discounts: Save up to 60% Off Best-Sellers at Backcountry.com! We got a ton of great shots and soaked sore feet and quads in the cold, refreshing water of the pools below the falls. HYDRO-BLU WATER FILTERS: Save 10% OFF siteiwde at HydroBlu.com with code 'SAVE10TODAY'. No Coupon Necessary. I chose to tackle Frankenstein Cliff first. At 200 feet, Arethusa Falls is the highest waterfall in the state of New Hampshire. Birds chirp and sing and a few chipmunks scurry away and angrily chirp at our approach. It says the trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from March until October. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. The Falls is a popular destination and certainly a must-see landmark in Crawford Notch. Take the Arethusa Falls Trail (the main one) and then cross over to the outlook trail and you will be fine. Sleeping Pad, Feathered Friends Flicker 40 Quilt Sleeping Bag, HydroBlu Versa Flow Water Filter w/CNOC Reservoir, arethusa falls and frankenstein cliff trail. My husband took me on this hike early into our marriage, and it was fine for me as an adult. On our way to the cliff base I encountered more than a few lost or abandoned water bottles, canteens, and even some gear, such as a strap, shoe laces and even a sneaker, some of which did not appear to be very old. This is a moderate to difficult loop trail to Arethusa Falls in White Mountain National Forest. Only the trails with photos are active. This trail goes by Frankenstein Cliff and Arethusa Falls. The Frankenstein Cliff Trail officially begins at the upper parking area (right side), but a connecting path from the lower parking area can also be used. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from March until October. I did not exaggerate in this piece; two of us almost sustained very serious injuries and once we reached the cliffs we could proceed no further and had to come all the way back down. OUTDOOR-RESEARCH: US Health Worker Discount - 50% Off all Full Price Gear! 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