โI enjoy searching for unusual birds like the Indigo Bunting, Great Blue Heron, Green Heron, and migrating ducks. New Hampshire offers great opportunities for bird watching just off the road in marshes and small ponds.โ This prompted me to ask, โYou may not want to disclose this info, but are there parts of the National Forrest that only you know and love, far from the obvious tourist attractions?โ
โI am attracted to the rivers and streams in the mountain valleys. You can find many waterfalls not listed in the travel books just by studying the terrain. A change in elevation can be an indicator of a pretty falls and sometimes a great opportunity to swim au natural in remote pools. Although usually brisk!โ
Crawford Depot
Photo: Joseph Sohm
One such natural wonder that is in the guidebooks is Glen Ellis Falls. The 64-foot-high cascade is a perfect example of how beautiful the falls are in the White Mountain area.
There are many villages that make up the region, each one offering a slightly different energy, but all are charming and unique. Jackson is in the heart of the White Mountain Valley and is well-known as one of the most scenic towns with some of the best vistas in the White Mountains. You cross the famous Honeymoon Covered Bridge spanning the Ellis River when you enter Jackson. Itโs referred to as the Honeymoon Bridge because of an early tradition of lovers kissing inside of it for good luck. Itโs one of only 53 covered bridges left in New Hampshire. For Leaf Peepers, the area is unparalleled and their rather short peak foliage season is approximately from the end of September through the second week of October.
North Conway has been voted the best and prettiest New England town, time and time again. Main Street is peppered with charming pubs, restaurants, art galleries, as well as B&Bs and inns. For those who love to shop for a bargain check out Settlers Green where there are over 70 factory outlet and boutique stores with no sales tax!
Youโll also discover The Conway Scenic Railroad in North Conway. The beautiful train depot was built in 1874 in the Russian-Victorian style and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1979. They have several types of excursions, including shorter ones stopping from town to town in a vintage 1920s train, to a longer trip up into the Crawford Notch region which is phenomenal during peak foliage season.
Covered Bridge along the Kancamagus Highway in White Mountain National Forest
Photo: Jon Bilous
Eaton is a quieter, less populated area and is the quintessential New England town with its vintage country store and the often photographed steepled white church, all embracing the central attraction, Crystal Lake. Traveling through this small village you will definitely feel like you stepped back in time.
Although there are no ski resorts located on any of the Presidential mountains per se, there is skiing on Mount Washington. Tom and I have climbed Tuckerman Ravine, which is a glacial cirque nestled into the southeast face of Mt Washington. The trek up with ski equipment is quite a journey in itself, but skiing down the ravine is thrilling.
