Arethusa Falls Hike

June 2, 2009

This is a nice hike to what are arguably the highest waterfalls in the state of New Hampshire. The start of the trail is off NH Route 302 in Crawford Notch Sate Park. If the area is not crowded, continue driving off 302 to the railroad tracks and park there. Several parking places are available near the RR tracks and you will save about 0.4 miles round trip hiking distance than if you had to park in the main parking lot immediately off 302. At the RR tracks, you'll find the Arethusa Falls Trail sign:

Below is a trail layout on a USGS topo 7.5 min quad. There are two possible routes to take. One is the arethusa falls trail completely and the other is a combination of the arethusa falls trail and the bemis brook trail. The bemis brook trail is just a bypass around a portion of the arethusa falls trail and parallels bemis brook more closely. I strongly recommend taking the bemis brook trail only on the return trip.

Here's what the beginning of the arethusa falls trail looks like. It is quite rocky for a lot of its' length:

Farther up the arethusa falls trail:

Quite a ways in you come across the first of two bridges:

Still farther in is the second of the two bridges:

Finally you get to arethusa falls. Quite impressive:

Another view:

Some of the cascades on bemis brook from the bemis brook trail on the return trip:

Below is a view of the bemis brook trail. Don't let the looks fool you. This is the best part of that trail. In general it's a pretty rough trail but the first section heading east from the arethusa falls trail is very steep for a considerable distance and the footing is tricky with only tree roots to step on for the most part. Going down requires slow progess to prevent falling and going up would be a scramble using both hands and feet.

A pleasant hike to some beautiful waterfalls. There is also an area along the arethusa falls trail where lady slippers and trillium bloom. They were both in bloom during this hike.

Rod (NH)
June 2009

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