Join our GetWinter hikes designed to get you into winter hiking. This is a series of progressively harder winter hikes leading up to a 4,000 footer.

This trip's focus is to get you familiar with using snowshoes. It's an exciting beginner snowshoe hike with scenery provided by three  waterfalls with Cloudland Falls being the highest. You can reserve and rent snowshoes from your local outdoor outfitter such as REI, EMS, or from Ski Fanatics off Exit 28 on I-93.

We are taking the Falling Waters Trail that starts at Lafayette Place in Franconia Notch State Park and returning the same way we hiked in. Approximately 2.6 miles, 800 feet elevation gain and 2.5 hours. Be sure to bring appropriate winter gear such as winter insulated boots, snowshoes (we have some to borrow so let us know), warm clothing (no cotton and blue jeans), water, snacks, etc. We will not be having a lunch stop so eat before we start. After the hike we can hang out by the fireplace at my house in Waterville Valley for pizza/beer (sharing costs). Your welcome to bring a change of clothing and take a shower. 

What is the alternative to no cotton and blue jeans? We recommend you purchase synthetic mid-weight underwear (tops/bottoms) as the skin layer, fleece for the mid/insulation layer, and a hard shell jacket (preferably gore-tex) for the outer layer. Over the underwear bottoms you should have either nylon/gore-tex pants and if very cold, then ski pants. And it is very important to have winter insulated boots with warm wool socks over your feet.

Where can you practice snowshoeing near Manchester, NH before the trip? The trails around Lake Massabesic (near the Audubon Center) are good and Bear Brook State Park (the x-c ski trailhead) in Allenstown.

Lodging Option: Lodging available Saturday night after the trip at my house in Waterville Valley for $20 each night. Cost includes a continental breakfast with coffee. Accommodations are dormitory style bunk beds. Hot showers, bed linen, towels, soap, shampoo, full use of the kitchen and fireplace is included. No need to bring a sleeping bag. RSVP IS REQUIRED AND SPACE IS LIMITED TO EIGHT GUYS.

Event Coordinators: Mike Boisvert and Jon Normand

Drive up I-93 and continue north to the Franconia Notch Parkway. Note your mileage as you pass Exit 34A. Continue on the parkway for about 4 miles to an exit with signs for Trailhead Parking, Bridle Path, and Falling Waters Trail. If you are driving south on the parkway, take the exit for the Lafayette Place Campground and Trailhead Parking, about 2 miles south of Exit 34B for the Cannon Mountain Tramway. A pedestrian underpass connects parking on either side of the parkway. This hike starts at the east of northbound parking area. We will be driving a blue Toyota FJ Cruiser.