The walls of Conway granite rise to a height of 70 to 90 feet and are 12 to 20 feet apart. Today, the Flume Gorge is a natural chasm extending 800 feet at the base of Mount Liberty. That same storm deepened the gorge and also formed Avalanche Falls and widened the stream itself. The rock was 10 feet high and 12 feet long.Ī heavy rainstorm in June of 1883 started a landslide that swept the boulder from its place. Drawing of the Old Flume Boulder that washed away in 1883Īt that time, a huge egg-shaped boulder hung suspended between the walls. She eventually convinced her family to come and see it for themselves – at first, they didn’t believe her. Avalanche Falls in the Flume Gorgeįollowing the sounds of water downhill, Jess found herself at the bottom of a chasm carved deep into the granite of the rugged White Mountains, with a roaring stream at its base.Īunt Jess had discovered the Flume Gorge! (Though I’m guessing that local native people knew about it before then.)Īlthough she’d lived close to it for years, she’d never seen before In June 1808, “Aunt” Jess Guernsey, aged 93, set out on foot from her family’s log house at the base of Mount Pemiwegasset to look for a new place to fish. (If you’re looking for a place to have a family outdoor adventure, but need something more on the west side of the continent, check out this post about Palo Duro Canyon.) HOW AUNT JESS DISCOVERED FLUME GORGE The Flume lies at the southern end of the Notch. The parkway required a special act of Congress to sidestep design standards for the Interstate highway system because it is only one lane in each direction. The Notch connects the more densely populated southern part of the state with its wilder Northern side (a region locals refer to as “North of the Notches”) via the the Franconia Notch Parkway ( Interstate 93 and U.S. The Flume Gorge is at the southern end of the Parkway Where is the Flume Gorge?įlume Gorge is one of the major attractions at Franconia Notch, the winding mountain pass that cuts through the White Mountains in New Hampshire. The nearby town of Lincoln, NH offers a host of small, informal eating places, as well as a winery and a craft brewery – and places to stay outside of the park. There are wooded trails that are challenging enough for thru-hikers, but still accessible for more casual day-hikers, families and mountain bikers – with crystal-clear lakes for anglers and kayakers, too. The park stretches along 8 highway exits, and offers outdoor adventures suitable for everyone in the family. Lincoln, NH is about a 90 minute drive from Manchester
ABOUT FRANCONIA NOTCH STATE PARKįranconia Notch State Park, located in the heart of the White Mountain National Forest, was the home of the famous Old Man of the Mountain, the same “Great Stone Face” immortalized in literature by Nathaniel Hawthorne and Daniel Webster. I do not get paid for recommendations, all opinions on this site are my own. If you make a purchase through an affiliate link, I will receive a small payment at no additional cost to you. Some of my posts contain affiliate links. In addition to the prehistoric beauty of the gorge, you’ll be splashed by waterfalls and cooled by mist, see huge Ice Age boulders, walk through historic covered bridges, and take in some beautiful mountain views. Though there are many more difficult hikes in the Franconia Notch area for seasoned hikers, the Flume Trail is an easy manicured walk for hikers of all ages and abilities.īut don’t think you’ll be bored because it’s an easier hike. I went on my own, but walking the self-guided 2-mile Flume Trail through the Flume Gorge is a great way to spend some time outdoors with the whole family. I returned last week from my second visit (in the past year!) to the area – the first was early last November, and a freak storm had covered the place deep in snow, so I wasn’t able to hike very far.īut my most recent visit, in early May, was perfect weather for visiting the gorge, and well worth the return trip! It’s something you really have to see for yourself to appreciate. Avalanche Falls in the Flume GorgeĮight hundred feet long and about 20 feet from side to side at its widest, with granite walls 90 feet high, the Flume feels like you’ve entered a different world or stepped back in time.
The Flume Gorge natural area in New Hampshire’s Franconia Notch State Park is spectacular and pictures just don’t do it justice.
0 kommentar(er)
