Franconia Falls Hike and Swim

 We met at the parking lot for the Lincoln Woods trail located directly off the Kancamagus Highway [NH 112] at 10:30AM. The total distance to the falls from the parking lot is 3.2 miles one way. The Lincoln Woods trail, a wide, shady trail without any real views, is 2.8 miles long. Once we reached the end of the Lincoln Woods trail, we took the Franconia Brook trail to the falls.

The trails are signposted and easy to follow. Lincoln Woods to Franconia Falls [via Franconia Brook] is relatively flat and only gains 300 feet in elevation. Although wide, the trail is not flat.

The first part of the Lincoln Woods trail runs parallel to a river, but the rest of it doesn't offer any exciting views. The most rewarding part is when you reach the falls. Due to the recent rain, the water level was quite high and the water moving swiftly. The falls themselves are not high and more like cascades formed by sloping slabs of smooth rock gradually descending. Some of us soaked and sunbathed on the rocks, while others enjoyed the natural water slide.  The water was cold! We had lunch, a few beers, watched people meandering about and relaxed listening to the sounds of the fall. 

We went a bit further upstream where we found a river lagoon formed by large boulders that people were jumping off from. We marveled at the beautiful landscape while watching people jumping off the boulders. 

Unfortunately we had to leave this beautiful paradise and take the unexciting hike back to the parking lot. Thankfully good conversation made the time fly by. Thanks everyone for a great time groovin' on a Sunday afternoon. 

As part of the GO Gathering, we’ll be taking an easy hike to the White Mountains version of a water park!