Pemigewasset Wilderness, New Hampshire – The Pemigewasset (Pemi) Wilderness in New Hampshire is 45,000-acres of protected designated wilderness area that will keep any outdoor photographer busy for days. Every corner of the wilderness has interesting features to explore, and most areas are rich with East Branch & Lincoln Railroad history. Here are five shots from the Pemigewasset Wilderness that you may have never seen.
The Shoal Pond valley of the Pemigewasset Wilderness is an incredible area. Believe it or not, a sled road off the old East Branch & Lincoln Railroad (1893-1948) traveled through the wetlands in the above image. Wetland areas were corduroyed with small logs laid crossways. These logs formed a bridge of sorts that allowed horse teams, pulling logs, to cross the wetlands safely during the winter months. View this corduroyed section here.
Evidence of the old East Branch & Lincoln Railroad grade can still be found in many parts of the Pemigewasset Wilderness. The railroad grade above, which leads to Camp 19, at Stillwater Junction is amazing! Cedar Brook, Franconia Brook, Lincoln Woods, and the Wilderness Trails are just a few trails that actually follow the old railroad grade. My blog article on the Trails of the Pemi should get you thinking.
It's hard to imagine the Pemigewasset Wilderness being a wasteland during the late 19th century and 20th century, and man was responsible for the destruction. It has taken over fifty years for the Pemigewasset Wilderness to recover from the logging era. And yes the mark of the logger is still present and will be for many more years, but someday all signs of the logging era will be gone.
Even though the mark of the 20th-century logger is still visible in many areas of this wilderness, at 45,000-acres the remoteness, and seclusion is what draws backcountry campers and hikers to the Pemigewasset Wilderness year after year. A week camping in this unique wilderness area will change your outlook on life. At least it did for me.
As a conservation minded society, we have to take the needed steps to ensure man never destroys this one of a kind designated wilderness again. View more images of the White Mountains New Hampshire here.
Happy image making..
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Owner of ScenicNH Photography LLC
Erin Paul is a professional photographer, writer, and author who specializes in environmental conservation and historic preservation photography mainly in the New Hampshire White Mountains. His work is published worldwide, and publication credits include: Appalachian Mountain Club, Appalachian Trail Conservancy, Backpacker Magazine, and The Wilderness Society.
ScenicNH Photography LLC
Specializing in environmental conservation and historic preservation photography mainly in the White Mountains region of New Hampshire, Erin Paul’s photography and writing focuses on the history of the White Mountains, and telling the story of abandoned places and forgotten historical sites.