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Unforgettable White Mountains Vacations – The Most Scenic 100 Miles in New England
By
Cliff Calderwood
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This amazing drive through the
White Mountains of New Hampshire has a gorgeous vista at
every turn, oodles and oodles of family vacation fun, and
a visit to the home of the world wind speed record. Just
keep reading to discover a remarkable trip on your White
Mountains vacation.
The White Mountain National Forest is about a 4-hour drive
north of Boston, Massachusetts. Deep in New Hampshire, the
mountains are part of the Appalachian Mountain system that
covers the Eastern United States. Within the forest park
is the White Mountains Trail, and it’s a drive that’s
arguably the most scenic 100 miles in New England. And so
you’re in for a real treat. Let’s get started…
White Mountain National Forest Visitor Center…
Most people begin the drive from the White Mountains
Visitor Center in North Woodstock on route 112 and head
out on route 3N to the Franconia Notch area.
If you’re traveling with kids then you’ll want to
pencil dates back in this area at the Clark’s Trading
Post, and The Whale’s Tale attractions -- both in
Lincoln on route 3N. At Clark’s you can see Bears, ride
a steam train, climb towers, and generally keep the young
ones happy. The Whale’s Tale is a water park with a wave
pool, picnic areas, changing areas, and live
entertainment.
Back on the road head north towards Franconia Notch. This
is a good stretch of road to have your camera at the
ready. I can’t list all the stops you can make, but
I’ll mention just two of my favorites in this area of
the White Mountains.
The Flume Gorge was formed over 200 million years ago when
the White Mountains were molten rock. It just so happens
in this area when it cooled quickly, softer material was
forced into the fractures that formed. These fractures
wore down with natural erosion much quicker that the
surrounding granite rock -- leaving the gorge. And so now
you get to enjoy a geological wonder at the base of
beautiful Mount Liberty.
The Gorge has a visitor center where your tour starts and
ends. And don’t forget to check out the covered bridge
which crosses the Pemigewasset River -- it’s one of the
oldest on the White Mountains Trail.
The famous attraction you can’t see anymore…
You’re probably thinking why would I mention something
you can’t see anymore? Well, the truth is... you can see
some of it… but you’ll have to imagine the rest.
The Old Man of the Mountain was a jagged rock profile
formed over 10,000 years ago during the last Ice Age.
On May 3, 2003, admirers of the White Mountains region
around the world were devastated, when this world famous
monument to nature crumbled and crashed to the bottom of
Cannon Mountain. How could this be everybody asked?
Aren’t rocks and mountains... forever? Well, this
incident proves they aren’t. Despite years of gargantuan
efforts by many people to preserve it, centuries of the
harsh winter climate found in the White Mountains, finally
took its toll. It’s worth a stop as you journey on the
White Mountains Trail to look and wonder at what once was.
To me it’s a reminder that nature doesn’t play
favorites.
Continue to head north on Route 3 until it joins Route 302
and follow 302 towards Bretton Woods. Here the mountains
get taller and taller until eventually you see the grand
daddy of them all -- Mount Washington at 6,288 feet.
The Roof of the White Mountain National Forest…
Depending on time available, you’ve got four options for
experiencing this gift in the White Mountain National
Forest. Just stare -- hey, there’s nothing wrong with
that. Take the Cog Railway train ride to the top. Drive
the auto road to the summit -- the quickest way. And of
course you can hike if you’re well prepared. But just
promise me you won't hike to the top unless you are in
great condition and with somebody. This mountain claims
lives every year as conditions in this area can
deteriorate dramatically within minutes.
Is it worth getting to the summit?
All I’ll say here is… the view is stunning. Visit the
museum at the top and learn about the day in 1934 when the
highest wind speed ever recorded on earth was taken -- 231
MPH. You’ll learn why its unique geographic position
provides the mountain with the worst weather on earth.
Now get back onto Route 302 and head south to the town of
North Conway.
The North Conway Scenic Area…
Schedule enough time to take the scenic train, which you
board in North Conway. The station is an authentic
Victorian style -- it's hard to miss and smack in the town
center.
The train rides are ambles and chugs along the scenic
valleys and notches in the surrounding area. And as you
wind through the rolling Mount Washington valley and
squeeze through the notches under the gentle clatter of
steel against steel, consider this was once the main form
of transportation to the area, from Boston. Most of the
trains they run are diesel locomotives now, but on special
weekends and during fall they use their popular steam
locomotive.
The valley train is a 55-minute roundtrip, and the Notch
train is 5 hours. Both have a first-class car if you want
to have a different experience. The Notch train has a dome
car as well, where you get magnificent views of the steep
ravines and sheer bluffs. I’m not sure my kids have the
patience for a 5-hour train ride so we’ve always taken
the shorter excursion. But as I love trains -- especially
steam trains -- one day…
The trains usually run from mid-June until mid-October.
These scenic trains are very popular throughout the season
and they accept advanced reservations for the Notch train
and dinning cars on both trains.
This area of the White Mountains is full of shopping
outlets, and also has plenty for the kids to do. Story
Land and Heritage-New Hampshire, are right next to each
other on route 16 in Glen. You and the kids will enjoy
themed rides, live shows, play areas, and meeting
storyboard characters.
The Kancamagus Highway…
Let’s finish up our White Mountains Trail tour by
joining back up with route 112 at Conway and driving back
to the White Mountain National Forest Visitor Center.
This part of the trail is known as the Kancamagus highway.
There are just numerous photo shoot opportunities along
this highway. In fact, your challenge is having enough
daylight left in this trip so you can take pictures.
But you can always come back tomorrow, right? No prizes
for doing and seeing everything in one day. You are
booking your White Mountains vacation for at least a
week... aren’t you?
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About
The Author
Cliff
Calderwood is the owner and contributing
writer of
www.new-england-vacations-guide.com. This
is an excerpt from a longer article on the
White Mountain National Forest, and you
can read the full article and get a free
downloadable copy of his complete travel
guide at http://www.new-england-vacations-guide.com.
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