On Friday we started fairly early on the popular Kancamagus Highway ($5 day use fee for all stops). Our first stop was the Pemigewasset Overlook, which was a little underwhelming. I think we are spoiled by the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Next up was the popular two-tiered Sabbaday Falls accessed via a short paved hike with a bunch of stairs to different viewpoints.

Our next stop was the Rocky Gorge Scenic Area, which had several spots of fall color, plus the rather serene Falls Pond.

 

Lower Falls is a little further up the road but the name is a misnomer as it’s really just a wide cascade.

At this point we wanted some actual hiking (and to get away from the crowds), so we left the Kanc and took the winding and pretty Bear Notch Rd north to 302 and up into Crawford Notch. Here we visited Arethusa Falls, making sure to take the side trail to also check out Fawn Pool, Bemis Falls, and Coliseum Falls.

Coliseum Falls

 
Bemis Falls and Eric photographing Fawn Pool

The side trail rejoined the main trail via a very steep climb just after Bemis Falls.

Once we rejoined the trail, Arethusa Falls was about another mile and well worth the hike.

Driving north we passed by a sign for Ripley Falls and decided to stop – thankfully we found a spot in the small lot. This was a short one mile RT hike to a tall sloping falls.

 

Silver Cascade is roadside, with parking across the street. Along the side is a small trail that takes you to a nice view of the upper falls as well.

Quite nearby is another flume as well

We attempted to find Upper Ammonoosuc Falls, but apparently our directions were incorrect, so we’ll need to try again on another trip. Instead, our final falls of the day was Lower Ammonoosuc Falls. Our legs and feet were a bit worn out from the earlier hikes, so thankfully the path for these falls is rather short and along completely level ground.