New England – 2016
Day 8 – Flume Gorge
Today we decided to visit Flume Gorge, on the other (Western) side of the Presidential Range from Jackson. On the way along the Kancamagus Highway, we stopped to visit Sabbaday Falls, which are reached by a short 0.3 mile walk from the road. The falls are quite impressive, dropping 30ft in two stages into a narrow gorge.
Upper Sabbaday Falls
Carrying on to Flume Gorge, there is an admission fee at the Visitor Centre which gives access to a number of trails. The gorge is reached after crossing a lovely covered bridge over the Pemigwasset River, which was built in 1886.
Pemigewasset Covered Bridge
After crossing the bridge, the path winds pleasantly through some forest until the gorge walls narrow and steepen, reaching 90 feet high and just 12 feet wide. The path here is constrained to a narrow wooden walkway.
Entrance to Flume Gorge
At the head of the gorge, Avalanche Falls tumbles 45ft into the gorge. The path climbs up to the top of the falls, giving a close-up view of the upper portion.
Avalanche Falls, Flume Gorge
Upper Avalanche Falls
Beyond Avalanche Falls, we continued on a 2 mile circular loop through the woods. To return to the beginning of the walk, the river is re-crossed using Sentinel Pine Covered footbridge. This is a little more recent than some of the covered bridges, having been constructed in 1939.
Sentinel Pine Covered Footbridge
After visiting Flume Gorge, we returned to Jackson by our outward route along the Kancamagus Highway, stopping off at Rocky Gorge on the Swift River. This is not really a gorge, but is an area of attractive coloured rocks beside the river where there was also a good display of autumn foliage.
Rocky Gorge on the Swift River