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White Mountain
| Established: |
1918 |
| Location: |
Northcentral New Hampshire |
| Acres: |
704,218 |
NH,
White Mountain National Forest, Mt Washington
The White Mountain National Forest is
the largest and most popular National Forest in New
Hampshire. Containing 85 mountain peaks and over 100
waterfalls in an area the size of Rhode Island. Its most
impressive attractions include the Cog Railway and Mt.
Washington the highest mountain in New Hampshire. The Cog Railway was built
at the end of the Civil War and is America's oldest.
A visit to the White Mountains would
not be complete without a trip on the Kancamagus
Scenic Byway (Rt 112). A 35 mile road that is among
the "top five" most scenic highways in the
nation. Traveling from Conway west to Lincoln on the
byway is the 700 foot granite precipice called Cathedral
Ledge. It gives the visitor an unforgettable view
of the Presidential Range and Echo Lake. The byway also offers visitors an excellent opportunity at moose sightings.Near the western
end of the byway is the famed Kancamagus Pass. It
soars above the Swift River providing another of the
byway's spectacular vistas.
The White Mountains most scenic
campground is located three miles south of Cannon in the
6,692 acre Franconia Notch State Park. Located
along the glacially carved pass (notch) between the
Kinsman and Franconia Mountains. The park has a 100 site
campground (no hookups, $14) situated in the middle of
towering peaks and plummeting valleys. The campground is
open from mid-May to mid-October. A good starting point
to explore the Mt Washington Cog Railway (15 mi NE) or
Loon Mountain (10 mi S). There is an 80 passenger tram
at Loon Mountain that climbs to the top of the 4,200 feet Cannon Mountain
for a view of the nation's "Eastern Alps". There is a gift shop and cafeteria at the base of the tram.
Franconia Notch State Park is open from May 15 through
October 15.
Stealthful hikers are rewarded with a
glimpse at a black bear or moose. Black bears become
increasingly aggressive, unpredictable, and dangerous if
fed. Do not feed them and maintain your distance. Newly
reintroduced into the forest is the rare and endangered
peregrine falcon. Biologists continue to monitor its
progress in adapting to this alpine terrain.
NH,
White Mountain National Forest, hiking on one of the
forest's many trails after a heavy snowfall
In total there are 2 backcountry cabins, 23 campgrounds with
700 campsites, and 1,200 miles of hiking trails located within the White Mountain
National Forest. The Dolly Copp Campground is the largest
with 176 campsites (located on Rt 16, 6 mi S. of Gorham, $15). For a more remote wilderness experience the Cold River Campground on Rt 113 is much smaller with only 14 sites ($12). Cold River borders an alpine lake
with exceptional mountain vistas and a boat ramp. The
mountains are covered with birch and maples which are
famous for their fall display of colors that begins in
late September through mid-October. White Mountain
National Forest, Federal Bldg, 719 North Main Street, PO
Box 638, Laconia, NH 03247 (603) 528-8721. White Mountain
Visitor Center, (800) FIND-MTS. Echo Lake State Park,
(603) 356-2672. Franconia Notch State Park, (603)
823-5563. www.fs.fed.us/r9/white
NH,
White Mountain National Forest, walkway to a waterfall
Copyright ©1994-2006 Charles A. Read and ScenicUS. All Rights Reserved.
Please send any questions/ comments/ suggestions/ directly to
the author Charles A. Read
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