Hiking in Bartlett and Crawford Notch

Most of the information on hiking that is to follow was taken from the Appalachian Mountain Clubs book AMC's Best Day Hikes in the White Mountains by Robert N. Buchsbaum.

For more information on specific trails, or how you may purchase a copy of this book for yourself please visit the AMC's website here.

Hike Safe

You are responsible for yourself, so be prepared:

With knowledge and gear. Become self reliant by learning about the terrain, conditions, local weather and your equipment before you start.

To leave your plans. Tell someone where you are going, the trails you are hiking, when you'll return and your emergency plans.

To stay together. When you start as a group, hike as a group, end as a group. Pace your hike to the slowest person.

To turn back. Weather changes quickly in the mountains. Fatigue and unexpected conditions can also affect your hike. The mountains will be there another day.

For emergencies, even if you are headed out for just and hour. An injury, severe weather or a wrong turn could become life threatening. Don't assume you will be rescued; know how to rescue yourself.

To share the hiker code with others.

What to Bring

Ten essential items you should carry on every trip include:

Map

Compass

Warm clothing including hat and mittens

Extra food and water

Flashlight or headlamp

Matches/firestarter

First aid kit

Whistle

Rain/wind gear

Pocketknife or multitool

When hiking with children here are some extras you may want to consider:

A hand lens or magnifying glass (for examining small things)

Binoculars

A child carrier (especially for longer hikes)

Parking Fees

Parking pass options are single day, seven days, or one year. Stickers are available at ranger stations, AMC facilities, and some businesses throughout the region. The fee goes directly to support the White Mountain National Forest.

Crawford Notch and Zealand Notch

Rating: Easy

Distance: 1.0 or 2.0 mile loop

Elevation Change: Minimal elevation change

Estimated Time: 1-2 hours

A surprising gem,Ammonoosuc Lake feels remote, yet it is only a fifteen minute walk from the AMC's Higland Center and US 302. It's a great place to spot moose, beaver, or wood duck and a good assortment of forest and wetland wildflowers, or to take a quick dip in the cool waters.

Directions:

Park for Ammonoosuc Lake at the Crawford Depot Visitor Information Center near the AMC Highland Center at the head of Crawford Notch off US 302. From the Jackson-North Conway area, follow US 302 west at Glen where it splits from NH 16. US 302 passes through Bartlett then heads north through Crawford Notch. At the top of the notch, roughly 20 miles from the junction of NH 16 and US 302, the road goes through the narrow pass between two cliffs. Saco Lake is on the right as you face north and the Crawford Depot Infomation Center on the left just beyond the pass. The AMC's Highland Center is a short distance beyond.

From Franconia Notch and Twin Mountain, the Highland Center is about 8 miles south of the junction of US 3 and US 302 in Twin Mountain.

Walk north behind the Highland Center and pick up the Around-The-Lake Trail to your left. An alternative way to access the trail is via the AMC's Stewardship Trail. this is to the right behind the Highland Center and runs for 0.2 mile with twelve numbered stations before intersecting the Around-The-Lake Trail. You can pick up an audio guide to the Stewardship Trail at the Highland Center.

ARETHUSA FALLS AND FRANKENSTEIN CLIFF

HIKE TO ARETHUSA FALLS ONLY:

Rating: Moderate

Distance: 2.6 miles round trip

Elevation Change: 750 foot elevation gain

Estimated Time: 2 hours

LOOP TO ARETHUSA FALLS AND FRANKENSTEIN CLIFF:

Rating: Moderate with some steep sections

Distance: 4.7 miles

Elevation Change: 1,300 foot elevation change

Estimated Time: 4-5 hours

Arethusa Falls is aptly names for a water goddess in Greek mythology. This is the tallest waterfall in New Hampshire, more than 200 feet high. The falls are an especially stunning sight early in the season, when water levels are still high, or right after a rainstorm.

Directions:

From the south take US 302 north about 8.5 miles from its intersection with Bear Notch Road in Bartlett. The turnoff on a short road to the left is well marked with a sign. From the north the turnoff for Arethusa Falls is a right turn 6 miles south of the Crawford Depot at the head of the notch off US 302. Try parking in the upper parking lot, which is closer to the trailhead. If that is filled, there is ample space at the lower lot just off US 302. A small concession stand at the trailhead, part of Crawford Notch State Park, sells refreshments and some basic hiking supplies.

ETHAN POND

Rating: Moderate with one steep section

Distance: 5.4 miles round trip

Elevation Change: 1,550 foot elevation gain

Estimated Time: 4 hours

Hike to remote Ethan Pond bordered on one side by the steep cliffs of Mount Willey and on the other by a vista across the Twin Range.

Directions:

The trailhead for the Ethan Pond Trail is the same as that for Ripley Falls. It is at the site of the old Willey House Station off US 302 in Crawford Notch State Park, about 1 mile south of the Willey House. There is a sign for Ripley Falls and the Appalachian Trail at the turnoff, which leads up a paved road 0.3 miles to a parking area. If that lot is filled, you need to park off US 302. The turnoff is about 4 miles south of Crawford Depot and the AMC's Highland Center and 12 miles southeast of the junction of US 302 and US 3 in Twin Mountain. If you are coming up through Jackson or North Conway, the turnoff is about 16 miles northwest of the intersection of US 302 and NH 16 in Glen.

MOUNT AVALON

Rating: Moderate with one steep section

Distance: 3.7 miles round trip

Elevation Change: 1,550 foot elevation gain

Estimated Time: 3-4 hours

The narrow summit of Mount Avalon provides excellent views, not only of Crawford Notch, but also of the Willey Range and the southern Presidentials, including Mount Washington. For much of its length it follows Crawford Brook, with some particularly attractive cascades.

Directions:

The trailhead for the Avalon Trail is across the railroad tracks from Crawford Depot on US 302 at the head of Crawford Notch. It is the same trailhead as the Mount Willard Trail. From the Jackson-North Conway area, follow US 302 west at Glen where it splits from NH 16. US 302 passes through Bartlett then heads north through Crawford Notch. At the top of the notch, roughly 20 miles from the junction of NH 16 and US 302, the road goes through the narrow pass between two cliffs. Saco Lake is on the right as you face north and the Crawford Depot Infomation Center on the left just beyond the pass. The AMC's Highland Center is about 100 yards north of the trailhead.

From Franconia Notch and Twin Mountain, the Highland Center is about 8 miles south of the junction of US 3 and US 302 in Twin Mountain.

MOUNT CRAWFORD

Rating: Moderate with some challenging sections

Distance: 5.0 miles round trip

Elevation Change: 2,100 foot elevation gain

Estimated Time: 5 Hours

The 3,119 foot summit of Mount Crawford provides one of the most stunning vistas in the White Mountains, like being up in a balloon enjoying an aerial view of the Presidentials, Frankenstein Cliff, Willey Range, and Mounts Carrigain and Tripyramid.

Directions:

The trailhead for the Davis Path is off US 302, 6.3 miles north of where US 302 crosses Bear Notch Road in Bartlett and 5.6 miles south of the Willey House Historic Site in Crawford Notch. There is ample parking.

MOUNT WILLARD

Rating: Moderate

Distance: 3.2 miles round trip

Elevation Change: 900 foot elevation gain

Estimated Time: 3-4 hours

The AMC's White Mountain Guide reflects: "probably no other spot in the White Mountains affords so grand a view as Mount Willard for so little effort."

Directions:

The trailhead for the Mount Willard Trail is located at the Gateway of Crawford Notch behind the Crawford Depot Information Center off US 302. From the Jackson-North Conway area, follow US 302 west at Glen where it splits from NH 16. US 302 passes through Bartlett then heads north through Crawford Notch. At the top of the notch, roughly 20 miles from the junction of NH 16 and US 302, the road goes through the narrow pass between two cliffs. Saco Lake is on the right as you face north and the Crawford Depot Infomation Center on the left just beyond the pass. The AMC's Highland Center is a short distance beyond. .

From Franconia Notch and Twin Mountain, the Highland Center is about 8 miles south of the junction of US 3 and US 302 in Twin Mountain.

RIPLEY FALLS

Rating: Easy

Distance: 1.0 mile round trip

Elevation Change: 300 foot elevation gain

Estimated Time: 1 hour

Ripley Falls is one of the most impressive cascades in the White Mountains, particularly when water levels are high.

Directions:

The trailhead for Ripley Falls is at the site of the old Willey House Station off US 302 in Crawford Notch State Park, about 1 mile south of the Willey House Historic Site. There is a sign for Ripley Falls at the turnoff, which leads up a paved road 0.3 miles to a parking area. The turnoff is about 4 miles south of Crawford Depot and the AMC's Highland Center and 12 miles southeast of the junction of US 302 and US 3 in Twin Mountain. If you are coming up through Jackson or North Conway, the turnoff is about 16 miles northwest of the intersection of US 302 and NH 16 in Glen.

SACO LAKE AND ELEPHANT HEAD

Rating: Easy

Distance: 1.2 miles round trip

Elevation Change: 100 foot elevation gain

Estimated Time: 1 hour

This short trail around the Saco Lake is perfect for all ages - it follows the shoreline of the lake and crosses several streams and some large boulders. The short climb to Elephant's Head provides impressive views of the dramatic notch.

Directions:

From the Jackson-North Conway area, follow US 302 west at Glen where it splits from NH 16. US 302 passes through Bartlett then heads north through Crawford Notch. At the top of the notch, roughly 20 miles from the junction of NH 16 and US 302, the road goes through the narrow pass between two cliffs. Saco Lake is on the right as you face north and the Crawford Depot Infomation Center on the left just beyond the pass. The AMC's Highland Center is a short distance beyond. The trailhead for the Saco Lake Trail is at the north end of the lake across US 302 from the parking area at the Crawford Depot. There is a white sign at the trailhead that says Saco Lake, Idlewild. If you want to skip the walk around the lake and hike only to the Elephants Head, park near the south end of the lake and follow the signs to the Webster Jackson Trail.

From Franconia Notch and Twin Mountain, the Highland Center is about 8 miles south of the junction of US 3 and US 302 in Twin Mountain.

SUGARLOAF TRAIL

Rating: Moderate

Distance: 3.4 miles round trip to both peaks

Elevation Change: 700 foot elevation gain toe North Sugarloaf and 900 foot elevation gain to Middle Sugarloaf

Estimated Time: 3-4 hours

You get great views from the summits of Sugarloaves for relatively modest efforts. Along the way you pass huge glacial erratic boulders, and on North Sugarloaf there is an abandoned quarry where smokey quartz used to be mined. Amateurs are still allowed to collect specimens.

Directions:

The trailhead is on Zealand Road, which branches off south from US 302 at the Zealand Campground, about 2 miles east of Twin Mountain and about 6 miles northwest of the AMC's Highland Center at the head of Crawford Notch.

Follow Zealand Road for 1 mile from US 302. Park just before the bridge over the Zealand River and look for the trailhead just past the bridge on the right.

SAWYER POND

Rating: Moderate

Distance: 3.0 miles round-trip

Elevation Change: 350 foot elevation gain

Estimated Time: 1.5-2 hours but you could linger at the pond all day

Sawyer Pond is a beautiful mountain pond that is the centerpiece of the Sawyer Pond Scenic Area. The elevation gain is gradual in this well-graded trial, making it an ideal family outing replete with picnicking, swimming, and birding.

Directions:

Sawyer River Road is a well packed dirt road that heads southwest from US 302 about 4 miles west of the intersection of US 302 and Bear Notch Road in Bartlett. The parking area for the trail is 3.8 miles down the road from US 302 just before a gate marking the end of vehicular access. Walk around the gate and pick up the trail signs.

TRESTLE TRAIL

Rating: Easy

Distance: 1.0 mile loop

Elevation Change: Minimal elevation change

Estimated Time: 45 minutes - 1 hour

A pleasant, easy hike through a spruce forest and norther hardwoods; along rushing, boulder-strewn waters of the river; and past a very large glacial erratic boulder.

Directions:

The trailhead for the Trestle Trail is the same as that for the Sugarloaf Trail, on Zealand Road about a mile south of its junction with US 302. Pick up Zealand Road about two miles east of Twin Mountain on US 302 and about six miles west (north) of the AMC's Highland Center at the head of Crawford Notch.

Follow Zealand Road for one mile from US 302. The parking area is just before the bridge over the Zealand River. The trailhead is just after the bridge on the west (right) side of the road.