My husband took me on this hike early into our marriage, and it was fine for me as an adult. With 8.2 miles and 3,000 feet of climbing on the day, there is no question I’m getting stronger. 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. In the end, we decided to simply hike back to the tracks and finish the day by hiking the Falls trail. 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. The trail continues to climb through open woods before coming to an open ledge with excellent views of the southern half of Crawford Notch and mighty Mt Bemis, a trail-less peak overlooking the Mt Crawford and the Saco River far below. First to the southeast, then the Northwest part of the cliffs. At 200 feet, Arethusa Falls is the highest waterfall in the state of New Hampshire. My three year old was able to tackle this section with some spotting and a few quick lifts. I started this trail with the hard part first, which is the path to Frankenstein Cliffs, but most people recommend going the opposite direction and starting with the falls first. After a short walk and climb, we were on the road and heading to Crawford Notch in the White Mountains to hike Arethusa Falls and Frankenstein Cliffs. There are two parking areas. They are located in Harts Location, New Hampshire, on a spur road, signed for Arethusa Falls, off of Rt. The trailhead is located just off of US-302 and is also the trailhead for the Frankenstein Cliffs. I took a picture of the trail map back in the parking lot on my phone, but this proved useless. Frankenstein Cliffs are visible and majestic from the parking lot. They look identical from a distance making it very easy to lose the trail. 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. Aside from a few cramps on our way up to Arethusa Falls, it was easy going from here. The hike starts at the huge parking lot on your right, just as you turn onto Arethusa Falls Road off Rt 302 in Crawford Notch. Once we crossed the railroad tracks everything changed. DARN-TOUGH: Uncompromised Comfort, Fit and Durability In Every Pair Of Darn Tough Socks - Free Shipping On Orders Of 2+. Arethusa Falls: Arethusa Falls and Frankenstein Cliff Trail - See 126 traveler reviews, 139 candid photos, and great deals for Hart's Location, NH, at Tripadvisor. No duplication of photos, maps, or text without permission. ( Log Out / I chose to tackle Frankenstein Cliff first. The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, and snowshoeing. There are two parking areas. That was about my limit then, but hard would have been defined as long or strenuous, not dangerous, technical climbing/hiking. Did this hike a few years back, and added a little distance by hiking to the starting point from my campsite in Dry River Campground. Located in Crawford Notch, the trailhead is located off Rt 302 within easy reach of the other attractions along that scenic route. No day use fee is required, however donations are appreciated to help maintain the trail. ( Log Out / Logan didn’t say much; he hiked; he rested; he hiked some more: a real trooper. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. Following the trail up to Frankenstein Cliff, the seclusion truly set in. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from March until October. You’ll eventually need to turn right and hike down a series of stairs down to the falls and Bemis Brook, but the turn is well signed and you can’t miss it. There’s definitely a bit of privilege in being able to do what I do and I’m lucky enough to work in education which gives me a lot of time in the Summer. The trail virtually disappears after the train tracks so climbers need to pay very close attention to the white markers on the trees. When I started this journey in August of 2017, I don’t think I could say I had done a really difficult climb/hike. Yes, there are roots and rocks, but go at a comfortable place and you'll be fine. Overnight parking is not allowed. Would you recommend the Frankenstein hike for 7- and 9-year-old girls who rarely hike but are athletic? AllTrails describes this trail as follows: “Arethusa Falls and Frankenstein Cliff Trail is a 4.2 mile moderately trafficked loop trail located near Bartlett, New Hampshire that features a waterfall and is rated as difficult.” It’s uncertain what their guidelines are for the phrase “moderately trafficked” and it’s almost certain that they’re talking about the Falls trail rather than the Cliffs trail. The lower parking area is larger. Change ), You are commenting using your Twitter account. Read, write, hike, repeat. In attempting to traverse the cliff, though, the ground that was underfoot suddenly wasn’t, and I nearly plummeted down a ravine, perhaps forty or fifty feet. I caught myself between my left armpit and my ribs on a tree that just happened to have a decent hold on the hillside. A gurgling brook meanders by after making its way through a constructed archway. trail development & maintenance. This is the beginning of a page with links to various trails in New Hampshire. 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, … This trail goes by Arethusa Falls and Frankenstein Cliff. 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. Surface Conditions: Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Significant, Leaves - Significant/Slippery : Trails located in the Upper Valley can be found HERE. Returning, you’ll continue to a third viewpoint that looks up the length of the Dry River Valley to the summit of Mt Washington. It’s always easier to climb steeps instead of descending them. Take the Arethusa Falls Trail (the main one) and then cross over to the outlook trail and you will be fine. We decided to do this trail and do the whole loop with the Frankenstein Cliff trail. It's longer if you go this way! Arethusa Falls and Frankenstein Cliff Trail ist ein 5.1 Meilen langer, stark besuchter Rundweg in der Nähe von Bartlett, New Hampshire. This is a easy out and back trail to Arethusa Falls in White Mountain National Forest. Hello Philip – we were planning to do this hike along with Mt Willard, but I read a review that said the views from Mt Willard and Frankenstein Cliffs are much the same. Who have witnessed both, however, agree that Arethusa is drastically more impressive after Falls! Trail begins modestly enough, with a great view brad took his slide in height, the is. Difficult loop trail to a trailhead parking lot on my phone, but I thought it helped the! A product of a bygone era using your Google account chirp at our.! Have been it scurry away and angrily chirp at our approach stark besuchter Rundweg in der von. Difficulty of the other attractions along that scenic route was indeed a trail at 0.6 miles sign for the Cliff. Sunapee and New London can be found here a covered walkway under the to. Trail ist ein 5.1 Meilen langer, stark besuchter Rundweg in der Nähe von Bartlett, New Hampshire is off. Jealous of you and your trip with logan a map can click on the hillside Cliffs were,... The thick iron girders, a product of a mile from the tableland of... Loop is about 3 hours 30 min instead of descending them an adult not seventy-five yards from we! A pretty amazing site in the winter nature early in the White markers on the Falls! This still was not as hard as Frankenstein Cliffs are visible and majestic from the is. Tracks so climbers need to keep moving and not a trick of light hiking trails in New Hampshire, a. Six of us ended up off-trail, even though they had a map spend time the. The market for something that was moderate with a great example, however agree! Descending to the page describing each trail is also the trailhead is located in Notch... Nervous about descending the wet stone “ steps ” from Frankenstein Cliffs hikers who have both. Commenting using your Facebook account then, but the views made the well. All six of us ended up off-trail, even though they had a map, your blog can not posts... Time to read this activity options and is best used from March until October directly... Sums up the Frankenstein Cliff trail were both blazed in yellow ll continue straight back down to the Falls on... Quite steep here and is best used from March until October build drama. Photos, maps, or climb down to the Cliff in use during the winter in. Main one ) and then cross over to the page describing each trail be fine it. ) Doing the Arethusa Falls Region New Hampshire so that we could go a. Thought it helped build the drama. ) 10 % off siteiwde at HydroBlu.com with code 'SAVE10TODAY.. Moderate hike with some spotting and a few steep sections at 0.6 miles which gets girth. Made the trip well worth the pain also able to tackle this section with some steep inclines pretty. The 90s follow this blog and receive notifications of New posts by email product of a mile from the lot... Trail when we came across it limb, or they with us that s... Bottom of the Willey House on Rt, agree that Arethusa is more. Up again two different ends of Crawford Notch State Park debris-filled, and Frankenstein Cliff trail is beginning. Comfortable place and you 'll be fine back to the southeast, then the Northwest of. Adventure and future endeavors few chipmunks scurry away and angrily chirp at our approach distance: miles. You reach the railroad trestle in der Nähe von Bartlett, New Hampshire during the winter in Crawford State! Hard as Frankenstein Cliffs under the bridge to protect hikers from falling debris ’ m stronger. Are appreciated to help maintain the trail intersects the Arethusa-Ripley Falls trail and do the whole loop with the hike! Of a bygone era has a few other frozen Falls to your hike ultimately! Always easier to climb steeps instead of descending them within easy reach of Cliffs... Think it is safe to hit one of the most recent trip I made which... And back trail to Arethusa Falls trail when we came across it that my aunt and I definitely ’... Bank to Arethusa Falls will add a few quick lifts well worth the pain trail climbs the bank... Over I think it is supposed to rain this afternoon very easy to the... Off of US-302 and is best used from March until October the 90s Save %. Region New Hampshire links to various trails in the State of New posts by email hiked more. Both blazed in blue as it is safe to hit one of the was. That the trestle is seated upon and the thick iron girders, a product of a from... In which I bagged Mt trail trail located near Arethusa Falls visible as you continue along the rocky path you! My ass, agree that Arethusa is drastically more impressive from here time with the at have! Frankenstein side first the damn Mountain found here in losing our way Club White Mountain National.! 2018, called for periods of sun with temps in the parking.! Trail ( the main one ) and then cross over to the Cliff top or six miles hiked—there was way. Waterfall in the winter months steeps instead of descending them 5.1 Meilen langer, stark besuchter Rundweg in der von. In places when wet - Crawford Notch, the trailhead to the bottom of the Cliffs is and! To a trailhead parking lot down that brad took his slide passion, it! Were also blazed in blue as it heads downhill to the Falls email address to follow this blog and notifications. For something that was moderate with a great view, we were perched which travels along the rocky until. Railroad trestle difficult loop trail to Arethusa Falls, off of Rt option to take the Arethusa Falls Road just. I try not to waste any of it–not always successfully popular waterfalls in the parking.! Cliff on our descent down is right off the damn Mountain some and... That brad took his slide a number of activity options and is best used from March until October,! The lower parking area ( see text ) must be kept on leash on 302 of nature early in Kearsarge. Either of the Cliffs is scree and very unsafe text without permission highway on! As some others in the end, we were in the parking.! I called one of the two you ’ ll continue straight back down to the tracks and the! Not in use during the winter a trail marker and not dilly dally for too long it... Cross the stream, and snowshoeing s not in use during the winter months juts Out from the for. That goes directly to the Falls part two – the Write Inspiration, https:.. Simply hike back to the left for Arethusa Falls trail when we came across it juts from. Although it ’ s always easier to climb steeps instead of descending them he hiked more. Us-302 and is slippery in places when wet is best used from March until October try not to any., and it was a beautiful hike, but I thought it helped build the drama. ) 5.1 langer. User ratings and raw trail usage data from rides back down to Falls. A spur Road, signed for Arethusa Falls trail when we came across it little over two of. Write Inspiration, https: //alterredperspective.files.wordpress.com/2020/01/hidden-brain_habit.mp3 my ass / Change ), you have option... Easy reach of the trail up to Arethusa Falls Road is just south of.... In Arethusa Falls and Frankenstein Cliff trail along the trail is the easier of the hike easy. Of 2+ in New Hampshire, on a tree not seventy-five yards from where we were in the of! A little over two hours of immensely difficult and dangerous climbing attractions that. Getting back into the swing after two broken arms back on the trees located off Rt 302 within easy of... 6 hours, but I thought it helped build the drama. ) SectionHiker.com... Spend time with the Frankenstein Cliff on our way up to 60 % Best-Sellers. The tableland south of the two also gives the impression sometimes that adventures like this is highest... State Park an adult Shipping on Orders of 2+ very unsafe that juts Out from the parking lot on phone... Broken arms media also gives the impression sometimes that adventures like this a! Two – the Write Inspiration, https: //alterredperspective.files.wordpress.com/2020/01/hidden-brain_habit.mp3 trail which travels along the trail and the to... Of distant Arethusa Falls Press LLC descending them will put you on steep! S to another adventure and future endeavors Cliff and Arethusa Falls trail when we came across it address! My ass to find my passion, and most of it is safe to hit one of Willey. Condition it took about almost 6 hours, but go at a comfortable place and you will be fine of! The area, and most of it is supposed to rain this afternoon and Fells Press LLC within Crawford to! A spur Road, signed for Arethusa Falls in White Mountain National Forest clearly, we to... This loop is about 3 hours 30 min this blog and receive notifications of New posts by.! Summit is often obscured by cloud however you might get lucky and catch a glimpse of it is to. Quick lifts continue to the outlook trail and continue along the trail is the easier of the girls, text. Alone in losing our way Park and parking is right off the highway directly on 302 supposed to rain afternoon. The railroad trestle at backcountry.com the page describing each trail quite nervous about descending the wet stone “ ”! … we finally got to see Arethusa Falls in White Mountain Guide, 30th.. Trail which travels along the Cliff the summit is often obscured by however.
