Franconia Brook Falls Hike and Swim

We had a wonderful day at Franconia Brook Falls. The weather was perfect for this trip, not to hot and nice and sunny. We had a nice mixture of seasoned veterans and some newbies that were making their first trip to “The Falls”.  The hike in is an easy 3 mile flat hike under the trees along an old railroad bed. Once we got to the falls an hour or so later we discovered the water level was still low, but still enough to get into the flume and go over the water falls. The flume is about 10 feet long and the waterfall is about an 8 foot drop. It’s a blast!  Each member of the group did it at least once.  While up there we walked up around the bend past the falls to what I refer to as the lagoon. A large oval shaped swimming hole with a few spots where you can jump it to the water from varying heights (3, 5, 10 and 25 feet). Right away Steve went for the high 25 foot drop. It looks worse then it is because you have to jump out to avoid the jutting out rock below, but Steve says it’s an optical illusion and really isn’t as bad as it looks. I’ll take his word on it because I’ll never jump from that level. I (Chris) went right for the 10 foot large boulder to jump off. It’s a blast, just high enough to get the feeling of being up high and taking some time before you hit water, without being ‘oh my god I am really high up’, okay I guess it’s relative cause others didn’t feel the same way I did. They felt it was “this is way too high for me and the water looks way too shallow”.  The water level was lower then usual, but it was still safe to jump from each of the spots. You do hit bottom with your feet, but it’s a soft rock base which helps to cushion your impact. Paul and Marcus also jumped from the 25 foot spot, and Jim and Peter joined me from the 10 foot spot, and many of the group did the 5 and 3 foot spots. The water temperature was warmer the usual at 66 degrees (it’s usually about 60 degrees), so that allowed us to spend more time in the water swimming and exploring. Up past the lagoon is a set of whirlpools which you can submerge in and get a nice Jacuzzi like feel and also a spot where you can put your body behind a waterfall and look out and see the water rushing over your face.  The groups spend the afternoon exploring these spots and finding others below the falls to explore. Franconia Brook Falls contains so many locations where you find fun things to do. Even if it’s to lie on the on the rocks and sunbathe and taking in the amazing scenery and beauty of the location. The group spent about 4 hours at The Falls and then headed back to our cars. The walk back always feels like it takes 3 times a long, as it just goes on forever.  But once we see the suspension bridge we know we made it and had a great and amazing day.  Attar the hike was over a group of us went over and had dinner in at the Woodstock Inn and a much needed beer (or iced tea, water or diet coke with NO ice). Thanks everyone for joining me and Don and sharing this trip to a spot we love. We look forward doing it again next summer.

Come join Don and myself for a trip to Franconia Brook Falls, located near Lincoln NH.  Franconia Brook Falls is a wonderful swimming hole secluded over three miles in from the trail head.  What makes it even better is the wild experience of going over the falls.   A naturally formed flume allows the swimmer to put themselves in a channel that's about 10 feet long and then takes you over the falls (about 8 feet high), landing in the pool below.  Whether you want to go over the falls, swim in the many swimming holes or just catch some rays, it makes for a great day. The trip starts off by crossing the East Branch of the Pemigewasset River via a 160-foot long suspension bridge.  Then we pick up the Lincoln Woods trail, which follows the route of the old Lincoln Railroad.  This trail takes us right up to Franconia Brook Falls.  We plan on having lunch as we relax at the falls, spending a few hours swimming and sunning before we head back.  The hike is a total of 6.5 miles round trip and mostly flat. Pack a lunch, water, snacks and a towel. Wear shorts you can swim in bring a pair and change into. No dogs, please.