|
Finally,
we reached the old Franconia Brook Campsite, and right after that, the
Franconia Falls Trail junction. Past this point, the Wilderness Trail
crosses another suspension bridge of Franconia Brook and officially enters
the Pemigewasset Wilderness.
The
Franconia Falls Trail was much narrower, more like a normal backcountry
trail. It meandered along Franconia Brook until it reached the
base of the falls, a series of cascades and chutes that are a popular
summer swimming spot. They weren't particularly spectacular looking in the
winter, and we didn't stay long. A few flurries had been coming down for
the last fifteen minutes or so, and they started to come down harder while
we were there.
Back
at the junction with the Wilderness Trail, we rested for a while against
some rocks.. Someone had strewn a few handfuls of birdseed around, and
there were a number of chickadees fluttering about.
Holly
was getting tired and we rested several more times on the way back. At one
point, she said that she fell asleep momentarily while walking. Although
easy-hiking, the Wilderness Trail can get a bit monotonous after a while.
Past the Osseo Trail, we seemed to make better time, and it wasn't long
before we returned to Lincoln Woods and our car.
After
having supper at the Seven Seas restaurant in town and checking out a few
stores, we drove back to our campsite to settle in for the night. We did a
few pages from Holly's Madlib book, then fell asleep.
The
next morning, it was reasonably warm out, so we ate breakfast on the
picnic table in our site and worked on Holly's Outdoor Survival badge for
Girl Scouts. We talked about treating water, wearing layers and no cotton,
lashing the tent down for a storm, finding emergency shelter, and other
similar topics, most of which she was already acquainted with.
Finally,
it was time to take down camp and head home, but not before stopping at
the Mountain Wanderer
bookstore, where I bought a book on Crawford Notch from the author, Mike
Dickerman. We also stopped at a couple of stores in North Woodstock so
Holly could buy a bottle of Nag Champa oil and some candy. |
The
Franconia Falls Trail junction. This short spur trail follows Franconia
Brook 4/10 of a mile upstream to the falls. |
|
