There’s so much to do in Franconia Notch you could spend the week and never be bored. So, choose wisely on Friday because you’ll need to be back for the Auto Road Sunset Drive. The Guided Drive to the Auto Road departs the Grand Summit promptly at 5:45PM.
I’ve already mentioned The Old Man Historic site, Cannon Tramway and the NE Ski Museum. If you remember, the Old Man of the Mountain Historic Site is located at Profile Lake. Profile Lake is also where the Pemigewasset river originates. The Pemigewasset looks calm at its origin but as it makes its way through Franconia Notch it becomes a raging force leaving spectacular rock formations in its wake.
A favorite of mine is the Basin. There’s no fee to visit the Basin so it’s a nice place to stop and stretch your legs when you’re driving through the area. You can access the Basin from both the northbound and southbound directions of 93. For those parking on the northbound side there is a tunnel under the road.
There are beautiful walking paths that follow along the Pemigewasset on its way to the Basin. Some call the Basin the biggest pothole in the White Mountains, measuring 30’ in diameter and 15’ deep.
I added a small clip so you can see and hear the Pemigewasset rushing through the Basin.
From the Basin the Pemigewasset works its way to another favorite spot, the Flume Gorge. The Flume Gorge Trail crosses the Pemigewasset twice, both times via covered bridge. Flume Brook flows through the Flume Gorge and into the Pemigewasset as it works its way south.
The Flume was discovered in 1808 by 93-year-old “Aunt” Jess Guernsey when she accidentally came upon it while fishing. She had trouble convincing her family of the marvelous discovery, but eventually persuaded others to come and see for themselves.
The Flume Gorge is a self-guided one way only, 2 mile walk and takes approximately 1.5 hours. The trail is mostly packed gravel with boardwalk sections and includes moderate uphill walking and stairs within the gorge. Appropriate footwear is recommended.
There is a fee to enter the Flume Gorge.
Flume Gorge Recreational Trail, Open Daily 9AM – 4PM
Ages 13 + $18 on line reservation, $21 at ticket window
Ages 6-12 $16 on line reservation, $19 at ticket window
Ages 5 and under Free
Reservations are recommended because they do sell out. https://www.nhstateparks.org/visit/state-parks/flume-gorge
Flume Gorge Trail Map:
Guests exit the Flume Gorge Trail through the visitor’s center at the end of the trail. Restrooms, Lafayette Food Court and the Flume Gift Shop are located in the visitor’s center.
Notice a bike path on the Flume Gorge map, off the parking area. You may wonder why I would point out a bike path when most Fiats barely fit our luggage. But I remember at one FreakOut, someone had packed his bicycle into the passenger seat of his spider, and he was looking for trails. Also, Sport Thoma https://www.sportthoma.com in North Lincoln rents bicycles for $40.00, including helmets. You’ll park at their facility and they will shuttle you to the north end of the path. The path (pedestrian and bicycle) is paved, running the length of Franconia Notch providing access to all park facilities and natural features, and pretty much downhill to the Flume Gorge.
Luis and I have done it on our own bicycles, starting at the Flume heading north with the uphill and returning to the Flume downhill. It’s a fun way to see Franconia Notch. Traversing it one way, north to south is a breeze. Take along a lunch and stop where you like to enjoy the scenery.
I attached a link to someone’s early spring trip. There’s still snow on the ground but he has great photos of some of the sites you’ll see on the path. https://blog.nhstateparks.org/early-spring-ride-down-the-franconia-notch-bike-path/
53 days, about 7 weeks to FreakOut! Don’t forget to register. Less than a month before registration closes, May 7th at 11:59PM.
Please feel free to contact us with any FreakOut questions at fiatclubnne.com