We arrived at the parking spot that can hold 4-5 cars. There is a cable acting like a gate blocking off the class 6 road that leads to the falls. One thing I noticed when we were getting ready to hike was that the tree was starting to grow around the cable. And when I took a closer look, it seemed the tree had already eaten a chain that was just barely visible.
Cable near at the beginning of the trial
We started down the road which was pretty level and easy walking. Soon we came upon a small pond by the stream with a dam at the end of it. The water was flowing over the dam and made a nice waterfall. But this was not the falls we came to see. Garwin Falls is just below the dam.
reflection on the pond
As we climbed down there are several off shoots where you can see the cascading water flow over the rocks. Lots of photo opportunities everywhere. These falls are very large and the water was gushing. This was by far the best water fall we saw today. On the way back we noticed a cellar hole. Maybe an old barn or shed of some sort?
Water flowing over the damLooking down at the fallsRibbons of water cascading down the rocksOld Cellar hole.
Our second stop on the waterfall tour took us to Tucker Brook Forest to the Tucker Brook Falls. We parked in the lot which can hold 10-12 cars if people park correctly.
Tucker Brook Falls, Milford
On the map it looked like there would be a small road walk but it turned out that there is a trail along side of the road. We passed a kiosk for the forest.
Tucker Brook Falls
The falls were not far from here. In fact they were about 15 minutes from the car. There were a lot cool mossy rocks and flowing water there. The falls themselves are about 15 feet tall and the water was cascading over them nicely.
Lots of cool mossy rocks around the Tucker Brook Falls
We took a number of photos at different angles and different areas. This was a very easy walk to get to them. I would imagine in the summer this is just a trickle so I was glad to see them when I did.
Lower Purgatory Falls in Mt. Vernon, New Hampshire
Date:
5-17-2025
Location:
Mt. Vernon, NH
Distance:
1.77 mi
Elevation Gain:
82′
Total Time:
2 hr 4 min
Parking:
8-10 cars
Weather was a forecasted to be on the rainy misty side again. So some friends and I decided to take a walk and check out some waterfalls in southern New Hampshire.
Saw this Cairn on the trail and I liked it so I took a pic. 🙂
We all met up at Lower Purgatory falls and the plan was to walk to the whole trail past Upper Purgatory Falls, but it did not work out that way.
View of Lower Purgatory Falls
We started down the trail from the parking lot. The lot can hold about 8-9 cars. The trail is pretty easy going with not much elevation. We took some time to explore some of the little side trail excursions.
Mandatory selfie with one of the falls in the background
When we got to the first set of falls it was flowing pretty well. Lots of opportunities for some cascading water timelapse photos.
Some ripples in the river
We kept moving along the Purgatory Brook. Lots of cascading water. About a mile in to the hike the water started to overtake the trail and created some messy muddy areas that could not be avoided. So we decided to cut this trip short and head back the way we came.
Photo between the rocks
On the way back more phots of the water. The brook was really flowing good. Last time I was out here is was summer and everything was a trickle. Very different on this day.
Heading back up to the car to go to the next waterfall
When we got back to the parking lot we decided to explore a some other waterfalls in the area. Are next stop is Tucker Brook Forest to visit the Tucker Brook Falls.
The Carlton Covered Bridge is in Swanzey NH. Since I was already heading there for a quick hike up Mt. Caeser, I figured I would take some photos of this bridge while I was here.
The bridge was originally built in 1789 but was reconstructed in 1869 then repaired again in 1976. The bridge spans 67’3” over the Ashuelot River. It is located just of Route 32 on Carlton Road. The bridge was built with a Queenspost Truss for support.
I was glad to visit this bridge in the spring before all the leaves block its views from the side. This bridge is the smallest of the 4 covered bridges in Swanzey. The Carlton Covered bridge is listed at #7 in the NH Covered Bridge Registry.
Carlton Covered Bridge SwanzeyThe inside of the Carlton Covered BridgeCarlton Covered Bridge Queenspost TrussSide view of the Carlton Covered BridgeFoundation of the Carlton Covered Bridge
A train going through the gateway to the notch in Crawford Notch
Date:
5-10-2025
Location:
Crawford Notch, NH
Distance:
8.81 mi
Elevation Gain:
1006′
Total Time:
5 hr 50 min
Parking:
20+ cars
Train chugging through the notch heading for Willard Station.
It was a pretty rainy damp day. I figured I would take a walk to Arethusa Falls to see how the flow was. But I changed my plans after my mother called and said she needed to go get a National Park Pass up in Lincoln.
So, I invited her to to go for a ride with me to check out some waterfalls in Crawford Notch. Our first stop was the White Mountain Visitors Center in Lincoln so she could get her National Park Pass. I need a parking pass for the whites as well. After we finished our business, we continued our ride.
Silver Cascade in Crawford Notch
Silver Cascade in Crawford Notch
It was very cloudy, and the rain was coming down pretty hard when we went through Franconia Notch. So, we didn’t stop and see any of the falls in this area and we kept going north.
When we arrived in Crawford Notch there was still a light rain coming down. As we passed Saco Lake, we could see the train coming slowly through the Gate Way to the Notch. So we pulled over and took a few pics.
Flume Cascade in Crawford Notch
Flume Cascade in Crawford Notch
We then drove thorough the gateway where there are two cascades that were flowing well. We first stopped at Silver Cascade at the bottom of the hill and took a few pics. Then we drove back up to Flume Cascade for a few more pictures.
A buch of slash and cut trees on the way up to the Willard Section house in Crawford Notch
At this point, I wanted to take a quick walk up to the Willard Section House to see if Hattie’s Memorial Garden was in bloom. This is about a 20 minute walk up to the section house. My mom was ok with waiting in the car while I ventured up.
Hattie’s Memorial Garden with Daffodils in bloom.
The path to the section house is steep in some spots and the rocks are slippery when wet. So I took my time and stepped carefully. Toward the top near the tracks there has been a lot of tree cutting and a lot of slash to step around but it is passable.
Some carvings in the stone from the old rail road days.
Once I was up on the tracks I could see the upper section of Silver Cascade out in the distance. I could also see that the daffodils were blooming and the yellow flowers stood out against the gray misty background.
I walked around the site a bit and took some pictures. I also took some pics of the carvings in the stone along the tracks. I didn’t stay to long because my mom was waiting back at the car but it was nice to visit the site and see the garden doing well.
On the way back down I was again careful with my footing. I got back to the car safely and we continued our drive through Crawford Notch.
From here we went across bear notch road toward the Kancamagus Highway. Many of the lookouts on Bear Notch were socked in with clouds so we didn’t stop. Once on the Kanc, we headed east back toward Lincoln.
The stone marker at the Willard Section House Site. Has an image of the section house and the family but the family was scratched out by some Vandal for some reason.
On our way back we stopped at Lincoln Woods and walked across the suspension bridge to stretch our legs. This is always a fun little stop. From here we made one more stop at Mad River Café. This is a favorite stop of mine. They have great coffee and I love their cannoli’s.
View of Silver Cascade from the tracks by the Willard Section House
The sun was starting to come out now that we were heading home but that was fine. I think we both had a good time.
I found myself with the afternoon off from work, so I decided to take a long drive for a short hike up Mt. Ceaser in Swanzy, NH.
When I arrived at the trial head there were already a few cars in the lot. The lot could hold about 6-8 cars if people parked well. It’s tucked away near an old cemetery.
The kiosk at the start of the trail
Once I grabbed my stuff, I set out across the street to the trail head. There is a kiosk showing the many trails on this small mountain. It also mentioned a few things to try and find while hiking. Some of the things noted; An old quarry, Bear Rock, Norm the Gnome and a face carved in a boulder near the summit.
The trail goes right through cemetery.
I started up the trail and noticed that the trail went right through the cemetery. That was kind of cool. It is an older cemetery with some stones dating back to the early 1800’s.
On the other end the trail splits up. I choose to go up the shorter, steeper “Elijah’s Epic Summit Trail” (yellow trail). The trail was moderate in some spots and a little steep in a few areas..
Some old grave stones leaning up against a stone wall
Overall the trail had pretty good footing and a number of small switchbacks made the climb much easier. I was able to spot Bear Rock without any trouble. Just need to look up. There was a fisherman’s hat on the bear held on by some wire. I took a few photos and moved on.
Bear Rock on the way up the yellow trail
Near the summit there are some benches with views, but those views may be gone soon once the leaves all pop. The whole trail up was well maintained. When I reached the summit I was surprised to see there was antenna tower up there. The summit is a large granite slab. There is also another bench to sit on and some nice views to the south.
Summit view to the south on Mt. Caeser
A few yards to the north, there is a very noticeable herd path that leads to a large boulder. On the boulder there is a face that was chiseled into it. The lighting was a little weird, but you can still make it out in the picture.
On the way down, I decided to make a loop on the Tower Trail. This was a bit longer but also not anywhere near as steep. There are a few areas that split off and meet up again. Next time I’ll follow the stone wall section down.
Face carved into a boulder near the summit of Mt. Caeser
I came to junction of Theresa’s Trail and followed it in bit. About a 100 yards in at the junction of the Quarry trail, carved into a tree was Norm the Gnome. I have to say he is quite a site.
Norm the Gnome
I then followed the Quarry trail back down. About have way in the trail there is an old filled in quarry. There are many drill marks from them splitting the granite. This trail ends back at the cemetery where I started.
Some quarried stones along the quarry trail
This was a very interesting hike. Lots to see and look for and some great views too. This was my first hike up Mt. Ceaser but it sure won’t be my last. I really enjoyed this little mountain.
