We have the Dixville Notch, self-guided drive scheduled for Thursday, June 8th. I call it the Great North Woods Drive because there’s not a lot up there, maybe a traffic light or two in each of the small towns. It could also be called the notch drive because you will drive through three, Pinkham, Dixville and Crawford.
This drive is scheduled for Thursday but it would fit well on any of the other days as a self-guided or impromptu group drive. I’m highlighting some of the wayside attractions. For those of you who’d like to venture further into the Great North Woods there are some great hiking trails too.
My favorite man-made wayside attraction is the Nansen Ski Jump in Milan; also called the Big Nansen. The jump is a 170’ steel framed structure, built in 1936. In 1938, the first Olympic trials were held at the Nansen Ski Jump and hosted the United States Ski Jumping National Championships in 1940, ‘57, ‘65, ‘72. We have stopped to look at it a couple of times while plotting the drive in the spring and fall. Each time, I thought what would it look like with snow on it? I also thought some of you may wonder too.
While researching the area, I was excited to find there was a winter festival planned for last weekend and there would be ski jumping! So, Luis and I packed up and headed North. We decided to make the entire Dixville Notch loop and check the written directions for the FFO Guide as well.
I know, I’m completely geeking out over the Ski Jump but it was a fun time. The Big Nansen is an Olympic jump and covered in snow it was even more impressive, standing high above festival. The jumpers at the festival were using the Little Nansen, a smaller jump erected to the side of the Big Nansen. Jumpers using the Little Nansen looked to be from 8 or 9 up to adults. They also erected a tiny jump for little tikes. Yes, they were adorable!
I’ve attached links of old clips from 1939 and a new clip. I love the different styles of jumping. The early jumpers swing their arms around but with the modern style their arms are at their side very streamline. Don’t miss the differences in equipment as well.
My second favorite man-made wayside attraction are the Boom Piers. From the 1890’s through the early 1960’s the Androscoggin River was used to transport wood. North of Berlin, the wood was harvested and dumped into the river where it was eventually sent down river to Berlin. Two of the larger companies who wanted to track their wood, came up with boom piers as a way to divide the river. Boom Piers, were built on the frozen river, then sunk to the bottom of the river during the spring thaw. Once the piers were built, chains were secured between the piers, dividing the river in two, allowing the wood companies to track their wood. Today, the wood is brought into Berlin by truck. Moving wood by truck isn’t as interesting but it gets the job done, we went by a mill with stacks of it.
I’m amazed the piers are still standing, just think of the amount of rushing water and ice flows that have moved through in more than 100 years. Some of them have trees growing on them.
Keep an eye out when you pass into the 13 Mile Woods in Errol. Luis and I were fortunate to see a Moose snacking on some bushes. We took photos but he looks like a little brown dot.
You will find L.L. Cote in Errol. For starters, they rent Kayaks and E-Bicycles to enhance your adventures. They also stock just about anything you will ever need. This is a great time for a rest stop. L.L.Cote, is a family owned and operated business. (llcote.com) The highlights, restrooms, food, 24-hour fuel, clothing, hunting, ammunition, lumber yard, and even an outlet and furniture store across the street. We’ve visited three times now and the employees are always friendly and helpful. This trip we went over to the outlet and furniture store across the street. It was like walking into an Amish gift store in Pennsylvania. It was full of imported Amish furniture and back country gifts. Further in the back was an outlet area with items from the L.L. Cote main store.
For registration I mentioned Dixville Flume (commonly known as Baby Flume) because it has a nice parking area and the flume is right there. But about a 1/4 mile on the left before Baby Flume is the Wayside parking area. The Wayside parking area has picnic tables and an outhouse. You’ll also find the trailhead for the Huntington Cascades trail. The trail is beginner-level and about .4 mile round trip. It features a wooden bridge spanning Cascade Brook and the Huntington Cascades. We didn’t stop at either this trip because it wasn’t plowed.
Dixville Notch does not disappoint. There is a place to pull over on the left side of the road as you’re going through the tightest part of the notch. We always stop because the view is so unique.
Just after the stop, the road peaks and we had a beautiful view of Lake Gloriette with the Balsams Resort in the background as we came down out of the notch.
I have not been to Table Rock but it’s a popular 1.5-mile out and back trail near the Balsams in Dixville Notch. It takes an average of 1h 13 min to complete and the view is supposed to be spectacular. There are a number of sites documenting trails; trailfinder.info has a lot of information.
Hidden in Colebrook is the 80’ Beaver Brook Falls Wayside. You’ll find parking that faces the falls, giving you a great view from your car. A picnic area and permanent outhouse facilities are also on the site.
Lunch is on your own for this drive but we’ve been looking around. L.L.Cote has options for a quick lunch, maybe take it to go if you’re hiking or planning a picnic. Colebrook has a few options but after looking around the Black Bear Tavern would be our first choice. We arrived between meals but the spacious and clean Black Bear Tavern was still busy. The staff was friendly and they have a full menu with something for everyone Blackbeartav.com. This time of year, we shared parking with the snowmobiles. They are everywhere! Roads, sidewalks, parking lots and it’s all legal. A booming business for the North Country.
Leaving Colebrook and New Hampshire behind we crossed over the Connecticut river for a quick trek into Vermont. We soon made a left reentering New Hampshire via the Columbia Covered Bridge built in 1912. The bridge spans the Connecticut river between Lemington, Vermont and Columbia, New Hampshire.
Just as we’re thinking the best views were behind us, we took a left at the Y onto route 2 and in less than 2 miles there was a parking area on the left with a beautiful view of the Presidential range. Another great stop is on route 115 in Jefferson, there’s a parking area on the right with a gorgeous 360 view. It’s worth the stop, it will keep you from looking too long at the view in your rear-view mirrors. Soon after that you’ll find yourself in beautiful Crawford Notch. A comfort stop at the Willey house may be in order. They have ice cream and gifts too!
I hope this wasn’t too long but I enjoy this ride!
If you have not heard, the Grand Summit Hotel is sold out. We have an overflow hotel. http://fiatclubnne.com/hotel