Trip report
Zealand Notch Hike to Thoreau Falls
Hiking/Walk DATE: 10/05/2013 - 10/05/2013
Trip/Event Location: Jefferson, NH
US
Trip Leader(s): WalkaboutBrian , markus24
Max # People: 20
Trip Guiding / Event Fee: No, I will not be asking participants for money
Difficulty Level: Easy to Moderate
Join us for a fall foliage hike through Zealand Notch. We will visit the Zealand Falls AMC Hut near Zealand Falls for lunch, than continue through the notch on the old Zealand Valley
...From the west: From Interstate 93 take exit 35 onto US Route 3 and drive 9.8 miles to US 302. Turn right onto US 302 and drive 2.2 miles. Turn right onto the gated Zealand Road at the federal campground/picnic area than follow the road 3.5 miles to a parking lot at the end.
From the east: From the junction of US 16 and US 302 in Glen (above North Conway) follow US 302 west for 26.6 miles to Zealand Road. Turn left onto the gated Zealand Road at the federal campground/picnic area than follow the road 3.5 miles to a parking lot at the end.
There may be a $3 parking fee paid by using an envelope and iron ranger.
Trip Report/Photos
At ten o'clock eight of us met at the end of Zealand Road ready to start the hike. We began twenty minutes late to be certain there were no others who joined the hike at the last moment since Mark and I were out of internet service range at a local campground since the night before. The weather was cloudy, cool, very calm, and no rain. A great temperature for hiking.
The hike started on a very gradual and steady climb through Hemlock forest eventually leading up to several ponds created by beavers. We all hiked at a very steady rate with a few short stops for water and the all important photo opportunities. As we approached our lunch destination, the Zealand AMC hut, we took a short path to check out our first of two waterfalls, Zealand Falls. We made it to the hut exactly at noon and enjoyed a relaxing forty minute lunch with spectacular views of the Zealand Valley which we would eventually hike.
We were expecting to meet up with a ninth person who planned to meet at the hut, but he did not show so we moved on. We backtracked a short distance than followed the Ethan Pond Trail along a very level, but often rocky path. It followed an old rail bed along the side of Whitewall Mountain which eventually crossed a very impressive scree field with outstanding valley views. We continued and eventually arrived at our second waterfall, Thoreau Falls. Here we had a casual break to enjoy the sights and explore around. Our activities included, relaxation, photography and sketching. Three of us did a short bushwhack to the base of the 80 foot waterfall for a better view.
Once we were all satisfied with our stay at Thoreau Falls we set off by returning the same way we came. Our return trip was a very steady hike with random short stops on the way. As we were nearing the end of the hike we passed many other people who were heading to the hut for either a late day hike or an overnight visit. We made it to the parking lot just after four-thirty.
After the hike six of us decided to head to Lincoln for a dinner at the popular Woodstock Inn. Unfortunately with its popularity and the fact that foliage season in the mountains was still full blown there was over a one hour and forty-five minute wait time for a table. With that we decided to patronize a lesser known restaurant just around the corner.
There are 30 photos in Album (Note: Move mouse pointer over larger pic and click on NEXT for better viewing)
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