| anyone feeling like trekking to one of nh's best kept secrets? sunday we're
driving up to crawford notch and hike the arthusela/ripley falls trails.
arthusela should be magnificent right now with all the melthing snow; it's
obviously not as long as niagra, but it is tooted as taller than niagra and the
quantity of water that drops is unbelievable. ripley is equally impressive more
in the terrain/trail to hike to get to it, but it is a series of cascades and
the trail winds right along the edge; there are spots where one can step out
[kind of] and be on 'top' of the falls and look down.
the hike to arthusela is fairly mild, not steep but up hill, and one can turn
around and go back OR one can continue on to ripley. from arthusela to the
ridge trail [frankenstein ridge trail] is a pretty steep climb but not very
long. a smooth easy walk to ripley trail and that is the taxing one as it's
very steep down with little switchbacking until you are actual along the
river/falls. from the bottom, you can attempt to cross and continue on to the
road with a 3 mile walk back to the car or climb back up to frankenstein cliff
and follow it back to start.
it's a day hike, moderate, good hiker. there will be snow left, so waterproof
boots [or similar] and gators are a must, but last year it was exceptionally
warm and we did it in t-shirts and shorts and not much snow was left but enough
such that if it fell into your boot you peed and moaned.
if anyone's interested, let me know.
these falls truly are one of nh's best kept secrets! they are spectacular and
incredible and the handiwork of the creator.
reg.
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