This trip's focus is to get you familiar with climbing and using snowshoes. Plunging more than 200 feet, the frozen Arethusa Falls are the highest in New Hampshire and there are sometimes ice climbers ascending it in winter. We then continue on this loop to Frankeinstein Cliff that provides a lookoff to sweeping views of Crawford Notch. On the descent we'll encounter a number of ice climbers ascending the cliff. This is an excellent intermediate snowshoe hike! 

The 1.5 mile trail to the falls is easy and popular. It will most likely already be broken in by snowshoes but everyone is required to have snowshoes because the trail from here to Frankeinstein Cliff may not be broken.  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. After Arethusa Falls the ascent of this hike will really begin. The steep descent may be icy so if you have MicroSpikes I recommend bringing them in case we have to switch. 

Total mileage for this loop is 4.9 miles with 1,400 elevation gain. We will take 5 hours to complete that allows us to have a leisurely lunch and breaks. Be sure to bring appropriate winter gear such as winter insulated boots, traction (micropikes, crampons, etc.), snowshoes (we have some to borrow so let us know), warm clothing (no cotton and blue jeans), water, lunch and snacks, etc. 

Event Coordinators: Mike Boisvert and Jon Normand

Three mies south of the Willey House site on US 302, or about 8.5 miles north of Bartlett, a large sign on the west side of the highway identifies the approach to Arethusa Falls. I suspect the upper parking lot will be closed in winter so we'll meet up at parking area immediately off the access road. We will be driving a blue Toyota FJ Cruiser.