 |
Web Hosting by Netfirms | Free Domain Names by Netfirms |
|
|
|
| Home | Trail Descriptions | Articles | Links | Seasonal Tips | Forum |
The Thoreau Falls Trail leads from the Wilderness Trail about 6.4 miles from NH Route 112 to the Ethan Pond Trail near Thoreau Falls. Although much of the route once followed old logging railroads and roads, relocations to avoid brook crossings and mudholes have reduced that amount. The trail is located in a Wilderness area and not blazed, and sometimes it is hard to distinguish between the old trail, the relocation, and herd paths to campsites or fishing holes.
Distance: Wilderness Trail to Ethan Pond Trail, about 5.1 miles one-way
Elevation gain: About 800 feet on the ascent, minor uphills on descent
Maps:
USGS Mount Osceola, South Twin Mountain, Crawford Notch
AMC Franconia-Pemigewasset or Crawford Notch-Sandwich Range
Location: White Mountains Region
NH 2003-2004 map H-7
DeLorme NHA&G 44-G1/E2 - Lincoln
The trail is located NE of Lincoln, off Exit 32 of I-93
South End: Wilderness Trail about 6.4 miles from Lincoln Woods parking lot off NH Route 112, elevation about 1743 feet
North End: Ethan Pond Trail, elevation about 2460 feet
Owner: White Mountain NF
Maintainer: White Mountain National Forest
Special regulations: Pemigewasset Wilderness
No fires or camping within 1/4 mile of Thoreau Falls or within 200 feet from the East Branch
From the Wilderness Trail, the Thoreau Falls Trail descends slightly on an old railroad grade, soon passing an overgrown cabin site. At .4 miles it reaches the East Branch of the Pemigewasset River which is crossed on a bridge which has been sagging for many years - when it collapses this crossing will be difficult unless Wilderness policies allow a replacement.
The next section of trail is delightful old railroad grade parallel to the North Fork, the straight and gentle grade is obvious although trees are growing in. At 2.1 miles where the railroad once crossed (and the former route of the trail followed it), the trail now turns R and runs on the E side for .8 miles before descending back to the old trail. Across the river is the site of a tragic light plane crash in February 1959; the two doctors aboard survived the crash but could not travel in the deep snow and perished from the cold.
The trail continues on an old road with several bypasses due to erosion or mud, usually climbing to the R and descending back to the original route - be alert to choose the correct path. It makes 3 crossings of a side brook before angling up away from the North Fork. After a moderate ascent the grade eases and the trail descends to cross at the head of Thoreau Falls, a cascade down rock ledges. This crossing is OK for agile hikers at reasonable water levels but because a slip here would be hazardous some hikers may prefer to bushwhack and cross further above or below the falls. The trail climbs directly away from the falls at 5.0 miles (ignore a path L to now-illegal campsites) and soon ends at the Ethan Pond Trail at 5.1 miles. Turn L for Zealand Road and R for US Route 302.
NA
Map Notes: The USGS map shows the original route of this trail and not the relocations.
| Start a discussion about this page | e-mail Content Manager |