Definition of Wilderness, White Mountains - I am currently working on a project that has brought back into the Pemigewasset Wilderness. The recreational opportunities, historical value, and educational platform this wilderness offers will educate outdoor enthusiasts for many years to come. These areas are governed under the National Wilderness Preservation System and the Wilderness Act of 1964. And because it is designated wilderness, it has the highest level of protection for federal...[Continue reading] ...

Beaver Brook Cascades, Kinsman Notch - The numerous waterfalls in Kinsman Notch are often overlooked. I can only guess Kinsman Notch’s reputation of having rough terrain is what keeps most away from exploring this incredible Notch....[Continue reading] ...

East Branch & Lincoln Railroad, Trestle 7 - During the days of the East Branch & Lincoln (EB&L) Railroad, there were two trestles built at this crossing of Franconia Brook (above). And each trestle serviced different areas of today’s Pemigewasset Wilderness. The first trestle built serviced the Franconia Brook and Lincoln Brook Valleys. And the second trestle, built just below...[Continue reading] ...

Fleming Flume, Elephant Head Brook - Over the summer, while doing some research, I came across a water feature in the 1907 Guide to the Paths and Camps in the White Mountains (first edition AMC Guidebook) referred to as Fleming Flume in Carroll, New Hampshire. The write-up also mentions a Fleming Fall. Well, I finally had the chance to visit and....[Continue reading] ...

Bald Mountain, Franconia Notch State Park - Located a short distance from Echo Lake, which I wrote about last week, in Franconia, New Hampshire is another great location where photographers will have no problem creating images. Even though some hiking has to be done to reach the summit of Bald Mountain the views of Franconia Notch are worth the short hike.....[Continue reading] ...

Winter Forest Scenes, White Mountains - When most think of the New Hampshire White Mountains, they think of the sweeping landscapes that dominate the region, and not the forests, historic sites, lakes, trails, and wetlands that make up the landscape. Today I want to share with you a few winter forest scenes that showcase the White Mountains...[Continue reading] ...

Thoreau Falls Trail Bridge, My Viewpoint - Like many in the New England outdoor community, I have been closely following the Thoreau Falls Trail bridge removal project. I have had interesting conversations as to why the bridge should be replaced, but nothing yet has changed my position, I fully support removing this bridge from the Pemigewasset Wilderness. I wrote about this proposed bridge removal....[Continue reading] ...

Rock Cairns, Trail Stewardship: A rock cairn is a man-made pile of rocks that marks a landmark or the route of a hiking trail above tree line. They have been used for many centuries and vary in size from one foot to massive piles of rocks. The word “cairn” is Scottish and means a “heap of stones”. Cairns are found throughout the New Hampshire White Mountains and....[Continue reading] ...

Middle Sister Groundhouse, New Hampshire - The Middle Sister Groundhouse (fire tower) is located on Middle Sister Mountain, along Middle Sister Trail, near Mount Chocorua in Albany, New Hampshire. It was in operation from 1927-1948, and according to the Forest Fire Lookout Association it remained in service until 1948. Today, a Forest Service....[Continue reading] ...

Thoreau Falls Trail, Bridge Removal - In August of 2011, Tropical Storm Irene caused massive erosion damage to the White Mountains trail system in New Hampshire. Some trails were damaged so badly that they have been permanently closed. And to this day trail crews are still repairing Irene damaged trails...[Continue reading] ...