I'm very much looking forward to the spring outing, both to meet everyone, share ideas, and FINALLY see some flowers up here.
I've been exploring the Gorham area intensely for the past four years, and would like to start a thread with location ideas. I know that others here will have good ideas to add on to.
One of my favorite things about google images and google earth is the opportunity to 'digitally scout' the area. If you google items from this list, you'll get a good feel of what each op will be like!
I'll try to keep these to within a 20 minute drive from Gorham, and short walks on the feet.
Waterfalls:
Glen Ellis Falls: 5 minute hike to a large, powerful waterfall. Last year parking lot was full of painted trilliums as well.
Thompson Falls: Series of three waterfalls, with open ledges and views. 15 minute walk if access road is open, a bit longer if gated. Great lowland woods walk with many wildflowers along the way.
Triple Falls: Dolly Copp Road then 10 minute hike to an impressive gorge in dense forest. Pretty small stream.
Fallsway Trail: Half hour walk to Three photogenic falls in Hemlock woods, good lady slipper area IF they are up by then. Can be expanded for more advanced hikers to include as many as 7 waterfalls higher up.
Coosauk Falls / Howker Ridge Trail. 30 Minute hike to rather UN-photogenic falls (atleast when I visited), but a pretty stream and IMPRESSIVE gorge (flume like) for those willing to get into some waders for a unique composition.
Giant Falls (Shelburne): Never been there...hear it's big!
Viewpoints:
Pine Mountain: If the access road is open, I hope to catch a sunrise from here. Short predawn hike required.
Square ledge (Pinkham Notch): Short but steep and rocky trail to an overlook with a GRAND view of the Presidential Range.
Lost Pond Trail: Nice wildflower walk to a pond with grand views of Mount Washington.
Mount Washington Auto Road: Should be open to halfway, fee required.
Reflection Pond: Rt. 2 in Shelburne...great sunrise/sunset spot.
Jefferson Golf Course Overlook. On Rt. 2. Great sunset spot, but you shoot over a golf course...
Wildflower walks:
Great Glen Trails: Free to walk on the Trail network. Beautiful open fields, streamside walks, and well maintained easy trails.
Dolly Copp Camping Area Nature Trail: Lots of Lowland Flowers.
Great Gulf Link Trail: Flat easy hike along Peabody River with good light and many flowers.
Wild River Road: Access to recently designated NFS Wilderness area. Open areas on a few parking areas with good flowers and hobblebush.
Wildlife:
I won't post my secrets online, but there are a few good moose spots I'll give out at the meeting.
You have a few of my favorite spots listed, and I have one or two others but I only know how to getthere I don't actually know the names. It looks like you have listed enough of these places to keep busy for a week. . . .
Yeah, it's a solid week's worth of activity, but I'm sure different folks will have different shooting desires, and just wanted to get all the areas that I've enjoyed in the area down.
I additionally want to add, that for a bunch of these waterfalls that I've visited, midstream offers the best comp. You can usually rockhop, but a pair of waders, muck boots or hip boots in the pack allows for surer footing and ensures dry feet. Just a thought.
I also wanted to add that the Pondicherry NWR is a little over 30 minutes away, for bird and general wildlife shooters. I've not visited, but have heard good reports. Here's a link to an article on that... http://www.randolphmountainclub.org/newsletters/summer2006/article5.html
We will try to coordinate a weekend in the Franconia Notch area of NH in mid June for the bloomin' of the Lupines in Sugarhill, NH. Stay tuned as we will call the weekend at the last minute because the blooming time this year are less reliable than usual due to the cold spring.
Discussion
4 repliesI've been exploring the Gorham area intensely for the past four years, and would like to start a thread with location ideas. I know that others here will have good ideas to add on to.
One of my favorite things about google images and google earth is the opportunity to 'digitally scout' the area. If you google items from this list, you'll get a good feel of what each op will be like!
I'll try to keep these to within a 20 minute drive from Gorham, and short walks on the feet.
Waterfalls:
Glen Ellis Falls: 5 minute hike to a large, powerful waterfall. Last year parking lot was full of painted trilliums as well.
Thompson Falls: Series of three waterfalls, with open ledges and views. 15 minute walk if access road is open, a bit longer if gated. Great lowland woods walk with many wildflowers along the way.
Crystal Cascade: Beautiful tiered waterfall, 20 minutes behind AMC camp.
Triple Falls: Dolly Copp Road then 10 minute hike to an impressive gorge in dense forest. Pretty small stream.
Fallsway Trail: Half hour walk to Three photogenic falls in Hemlock woods, good lady slipper area IF they are up by then. Can be expanded for more advanced hikers to include as many as 7 waterfalls higher up.
Cold Brook Falls: Powerfull falls in Hemlock woods. 20+ minute walk.
Coosauk Falls / Howker Ridge Trail. 30 Minute hike to rather UN-photogenic falls (atleast when I visited), but a pretty stream and IMPRESSIVE gorge (flume like) for those willing to get into some waders for a unique composition.
Giant Falls (Shelburne): Never been there...hear it's big!
Viewpoints:
Pine Mountain: If the access road is open, I hope to catch a sunrise from here. Short predawn hike required.
Square ledge (Pinkham Notch): Short but steep and rocky trail to an overlook with a GRAND view of the Presidential Range.
Lost Pond Trail: Nice wildflower walk to a pond with grand views of Mount Washington.
Mount Washington Auto Road: Should be open to halfway, fee required.
Reflection Pond: Rt. 2 in Shelburne...great sunrise/sunset spot.
Jefferson Golf Course Overlook. On Rt. 2. Great sunset spot, but you shoot over a golf course...
Wildflower walks:
Great Glen Trails: Free to walk on the Trail network. Beautiful open fields, streamside walks, and well maintained easy trails.
Dolly Copp Camping Area Nature Trail: Lots of Lowland Flowers.
Great Gulf Link Trail: Flat easy hike along Peabody River with good light and many flowers.
Wild River Road: Access to recently designated NFS Wilderness area. Open areas on a few parking areas with good flowers and hobblebush.
Wildlife:
I won't post my secrets online, but there are a few good moose spots I'll give out at the meeting.
Hope this helps, happy scouting.
Anyone else have good spots???
You have a few of my favorite spots listed, and I have one or two others but I only know how to getthere I don't actually know the names. It looks like you have listed enough of these places to keep busy for a week. . . .
I additionally want to add, that for a bunch of these waterfalls that I've visited, midstream offers the best comp. You can usually rockhop, but a pair of waders, muck boots or hip boots in the pack allows for surer footing and ensures dry feet. Just a thought.
I also wanted to add that the Pondicherry NWR is a little over 30 minutes away, for bird and general wildlife shooters. I've not visited, but have heard good reports. Here's a link to an article on that... http://www.randolphmountainclub.org/newsletters/summer2006/article5.html
Sounds like a great time! We've got family in town that weekend or I'd be there. Are there any other outings in NE besides the Spring Trip?
Fred Weymouth
Portland, ME