New Hampshire (Part 2): High Peaks, Hidden Falls, and Scenic Trails
Lacing up our hiking boots for another full day on the trails, we knew we needed to fuel up first. We headed over to Arnold’s Diner for a classic, hearty breakfast. A quick insider tip for anyone traveling through New Hampshire: many of the best local diners and cozy roadside cafes operate on traditional hours, closing by 2:00 PM sharp. If you’re still out exploring the mountain peaks past mid-afternoon, you’ll definitely want to pack extra snacks to tide you over until dinner!
Cascades and Early Autumn Whispers
To reach most of the region’s best trailheads, you inevitably travel the famous Kancamagus Highway—or “The Kanc,” as it’s affectionately called by locals and travelers alike. Every turn along this scenic pass offers incredible pull-offs and panoramic overlooks.
Our first outing of the day was a short walk to Sabbaday Falls. Rushing water carved through magnificent granite rock formations, cascading into crystal-clear pools below. Nearby, we paused to take in the views at Rocky Gorge, where the sheer natural beauty never gets old.
Down on the trail floor, the first quiet hints of autumn were beginning to show. Scattered fallen leaves dotted the ground in vibrant patches of warm orange, brilliant yellow, and deep red. Up above, however, the thick canopy covering the mountains was still stubbornly holding on to summer, showing only subtle flushes of gold against the green.
Scaling Peaks: Bald Mountain & Artist’s Bluff
With no rest for the weary (meaning me—though Mitch would happily hike 365 days a year if he could!), we set our sights on a longer, double-header trek: Bald Mountain combined with Artist’s Bluff.
Now, most official trail guides rate these hikes as “moderate,” but after scaling those sheer granite faces, I respectfully beg to differ! The ascent up Bald Mountain took us over some seriously steep, exposed rock scrambles. At five feet tall, my vertical reach has its limits, requiring my trusty partner-in-crime to step in and give me a literal boost from behind to get over the ledge!
The reward at the summit made every scramble completely worth it. Standing at the top, surrounded by endless mountain ridges, I could only imagine what an absolute explosion of color this vista becomes at the peak of fall foliage. Moving along the ridge to Artist’s Bluff, we took a well-deserved break, perched on a smooth granite boulder while taking in the stunning, mirror-like views of Echo Lake resting peacefully below us.
Cruising Through Franconia Notch
To wrap up our time in the region, we swapped our hiking boots for our bicycles and set out on the paved multi-use path through Franconia Notch State Park.
This 18-mile round-trip ride was absolute bliss. Towering granite peaks lined our path like giant guardians, while the crisp, cooling mountain air made for perfect riding conditions. There’s no mistaking it—autumn weather is officially rolling in!
New Hampshire delivered everything we could have hoped for and more, but it’s time to hitch up the rig, say goodbye to the White Mountains, and cross the border into Vermont for our next chapter. Stay tuned!
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