We left fairly early today as we knew our route was mostly scenic viewing of mountains, rivers, lakes and colorful trees. We went through little towns and by several picturesque lakes, including Lake Winnipesauke. We took this longer route up to the Kancamagus Scenic highway (aka Rt 112), which is a 30 mile route from Conway, NH over to Lincoln, NH. It has numerous scenic viewing spots and trails all along the way. It is a National Forest-run park, that is heavily travelled and nicely documented on trail maps and brochure handouts at the first stop. Thank goodness, again, for our Senior National Park pass, which allowed us free parking at all of the stops.
Our first stop was at the Lower Falls, at the 6.8 mile marker. This was a nice walk along the rock-strewn Swift River, with a viewing platform of the small water falls flowing along. Since it is late fall, there is not a lot of water flowing, so there are a lot of rocks all over, that many people were climbing on. In the spring, it is totally full. Nice little walk, pretty views, nice colorful tree-lined river.
The next stop was the River Gorge and Lovequist Loop/Falls Pond, at the 9.0 mile marker. It is a deep flume (gorge) created long ago by glacial activity. There is a bridge right over the falls/gorge. Very crowded, but everyone was wearing masks. After crossing the bridge, the Lovequist Loop is a mile-long trail that circles the Falls Pond. It does go up and down through the woods, so there are many beautiful views overlooking the pond. Not many people did the loop walk--just us and we passed two others.
The next stop was the Sabbaday Falls, at the 15.4 mile marker. This spot has a .6 mile round trip trail along a sweet little rocky river through the woods, leading to the Falls. The gorge was created long ago by a fault line and glacial activity. Another bridge spans the gorge, and and leads to the upper level of the river. Very nicely done. Delightful area.
Sugar Hill Overlook, at the 17.3 mile marker, and the CL Graham Overlook, at the 21.7 mile marker. These were beautiful vistas at roadside pull outs, overlooking the various mountains in the White Mountain range.
By this time, it was late afternoon, so we decided to head on back, travelling the remaining 11 miles over to US-93 without any more stops. Unfortunately, there was so much traffic, that it took 3 and 1/4 hours to travel the 11 miles! I have NEVER been in a traffic jam like this one. We would sit stock-still for 10 minutes, then travel slowly for 10 car lengths. Then sit for 5 minutes, and travel .2 miles, then sit for another 10 - 15 minutes. I couldn't believe there wasn't an accident or road construction, but there wasn't. It took us from 5 pm to 8:15 pm to travel 11 miles. With no side roads to choose alternate routes. WOW. So, I read my Kindle, listened to music, no internet or cell coverage so that was limited. But, I can now check "STUCK in TRAFFIC JAM for 3 Hours" off my bucket list of life's experiences.
Lower Falls photos:
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