
I spent my first day in New Hampshire, hiking Mine Falls Park. The following day, I headed south of the state border into Massachusetts, and covered 5 trails on that trip. While Massachusetts did have a few highlights along the trails, none of them came close to what I originally found in New Hampshire.
So the following day, I took the opposite route, and went north to Merrimack, a nice homely town in the Live Free or Die state.
I chose Wildcat Falls entirely on a whim that morning, after finding out another trail I had planned on visiting was reserved for mountain bikers.
Wildcat did not disappoint.
Picking a Route
When I go hiking, unless there’s something spectacular for me to see, I like to just head onto the trail and go where my feet take me. So far, it’s worked. I’ve never gotten lost in the woods before.
This time, the spectacular sight I didn’t want to miss was the waterfall, which meant taking the Falls Loop Trail. Once I had identified the route I needed to take, where I was relative to the markers, and where to make the first turn, it was time to get started.
Fun Fact: Apparently, I was so focused on mapping my hike, I never noticed that bear country sign until I was going back through the pictures when I got to the hotel. 😅
The Swamp
One of the first things I noticed when I entered was a swamp-like-pond covered with a green film of algae. If you’ve watched my vlogs, then this is where I shot my introductory commentary on my first impressions of Wildcat Falls.
Directly beyond the swamp was a small stream that seemed to be formed from drainage infrastructure. Even so, it was beautiful, in its own way.
With findings like these, I advanced on to the Falls Loop, confident that this trail would wow me. I was not wrong. This trail would become the most beautiful New England trail of the 8 I hiked on my trip.
No surprise there, right?
Starting the Loop
I knew the little pond and drainage area could never feed a waterfall, so while I walked, I kept an eye out for a larger waterbody — a river of some sort.
I had to climb up onto a rock to get this, but selfie sticks are good for more than just pictures of yourself. During my trip, it helped me hold my camera high enough to take pictures that would have otherwise been impossible. These were some of them.
Some also required scrambling down river banks to get a closer look. Totally worth it, and even better — I managed not to fall in.
And better than even that? The view between the trees. It was so peaceful here, even though it had more foot-traffic than any of the other trails I visited in New England.
The Waterfall
The longer I walked, the louder the roar of the waterfall. When I stumbled upon this little damn here, I knew I had to be close.
The fall wasn’t as big as I had anticipated. In fact, it wasn’t big at all, but it was beautiful all the same.
The Way Back
I did end up on the red trail, and tacked on another .6 miles to my route by accident — all because I insisted on following the river.
Buy I quickly realised what I had done, and followed it back to the Falls Loop.
Once back in the loop, the autumn colours intensified, reflecting in a much larger swamp than I saw at the front of the park.
After this, I made my way out and headed to the Lobster Boat in Merrimack for lunch. I raced through my meal much faster than I would have liked, but I had to. I had one more trail to see before I left New Hampshire, and I wanted to make sure I got there with plenty of sunlight left so spare.
Stay tuned for the last beautiful piece of New Hampshire I had the pleasure of exploring!
My trip to New England was booked by 1 View Point, our in-house travel agency at Alexis Chateau PR. My wardrobe (ASK ME HOW I GOT HERE shirts and hoodies) was designed, and sponsored by 1 View Point and Alexis Chateau PR in celebration of our #November31 campaign.
We’re providing 1/2 off booking fees this November to celebrate a year of travel-testing, and our official launch. Email us for details!
Please note: Wildcat Falls Conservation Area is CLOSED until further notice as of June 26th, 2020 due to illegal activities, overuse and trail damage.
Thank you! However, I took this trip in 2017 and I don’t live in New England. ☺️
wow. I have very vivid memories of hiking the Wildcats in New Hampshire on the Appalachian Trail. However it looks like the conservation area is far more scenic than the path the AT took us on. we followed ski chutes straight up the mountain. I wonder if the Wildcat ski area is near the conservation area?
The colors and refreshing water you showed us here makes me think I might have taken the path less traveled by 😉
Hi Gabe! Long time no see! I’ve been meaning to tell you, I can’t comment on your blog via WordPress reader anymore. Is it on .com still, or did you move to .org? The only thing I can do is like 🙁
And thank you! I’m sure the route I took was pretty well-traveled, being near the waterfall. But maybe not so much in the winter, when ski opportunities are available!
If you ever get to head back there in the fall, you should definitely try the Falls Loop at Wildcat Falls. Thanks for reading. 😊
I’m sorry to hear you can’t comment via the reader. I haven’t made any site changes (in fact I’ve been on several long hikes for past several months so haven’t been blogging at all) and looks like I’m still getting new comments. But I hate to think that it’s difficult for you to access my blog. If you find you still aren’t able to share comments via reader, let me know and I’ll get in touch with the WordPress happiness engineers so we can straighten things out. Thanks again Alexis!
Hey Gabe, still can’t comment and also now cannot read your full posts. I’ve checked other sites and it only happens with yours, so far. Not sure why. I can send you screenshots if you like.
arrrggg! Looks like I better get in touch with the happiness engineers. I’m sure you’re busy, but I’d be super grateful if you would send me screenshots to help diagnose. Thanks so much!
Where should I send it? Just took it on my phone.
gabeburkhardt@me.com is a business email or FB messenger if its easier ( https://www.facebook.com/gabe.burkhardt )
Sent via email 😊
Also just checked and somehow you were removed from my follow list. No idea how that happened. Now following again!
Yikes! (and thanks for following again)
That’s an interesting walk ! My son has been all over the US but next summer will be his first visit to NH
Thank you! Too bad he can’t go in the fall!