New Hampshire is known for lots of things and the Flume Gorge at Franconia Notch State Park is one of those.
This is one very popular spot to visit especially in the summer and fall. With Covid concerns access is limited to online reservations only to enter and limited numbers of people at each time slot.
On Friday the 11th we had a reservation for 10 am. There was a very short line to check in but as we hiked the 2 mile roundtrip route we made certain to keep our distance and pull up our masks.
The Gorge is not as accessible as it was pre-Covid when there was a bus to take sightseers to the Boulder Cabin where they then only had to walk .7 of a mile. No bus now and some of the other trails are also closed off.
We had a beautiful cool day for our walk. Come with us.
At first the trail is divided. We stay right to the Gorge. The other side is the return trip.
There are lots of erratic boulders left from glacier days.
We have to go down before we can go up.
Here's the Boulder Cabin built in the 1930s. Well maintained but closed for now.
The mountain sides are just filled with boulders and trees that one wonders how do they stay growing up straight?
We arrived at Table Rock where over time the waters exposed this large expanse of rock. Signs said "Slippery - stay on trail" but that didn't stop some folks from venturing out on them.
Water levels are low because of drought so much of the rock sruface was dry.
Access to the Gorge is by steps and boardwalks that hug the side.
Moss is plentiful on the layers of rocks.
Up we climb.
Looking back down from where we started.
Looking over the edge to the water.
During Spring runoff I imagine you can get wet from the spray.
Looking up.
Avalanche Falls is near the top. This falls is recently formed - 1883 during a storm that washed away an overhanging boulder.
At the top.
The guidebook says the Flume Gorge was discovered by 93 year old Aunt Jess Guernsey in 1808 by accident. Her family didn't believe her until she showed it to them.
I have more photos from this hike but I'm fed up with Blogger. When I upload the photos, it keeps mixing up their order. I also used to be able to size the photos by hitting the + but now I have to pull out the corners. What a pain!
