Waterfalls of the Flume

Franconia Notch State Park / Lincoln, New Hampshire, USA

About Waterfalls of the Flume

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Waterfall Safety and Common Sense

The waterfalls of The Flume (or more formally the Flume-Pool Loop) were really more of an excuse to talk this spectacular hike that seemed to sample the best of New England’s nature and heritage.

For example, the roughly 2-mile loop hike got us close to a bear cave, a wolf den, a pair of covered bridges, glacial boulders, deep gorges, and even vistas that were further accentuated by the peak of the Fall colors.

The_Flume_212_10012013 - Waterfall at the Pool along the Flume-Pool Loop Hike
Waterfall at the Pool along the Flume-Pool Loop Hike

In fact, we had read in the literature that the Flume-Pool loop was the most popular hike in the state of New Hampshire.

Judging from how busy this place was during our visit, we definitely concurred with the assessment that it was popular.

As for the waterfalls of the Flume, we counted three fairly significant waterfalls in this hike (maybe even a fourth one, which you’ll see for reasons later on in this page).

While none of the waterfalls blew us away individually, it was the cumulative experience of the waterfalls taken together along with the other features of the hike that really made this place rejuvenating and enlightening for the family.

Logistics of the Flume-Pool Loop Hike

The_Flume_073_10012013 - The narrow walkway traversing the Flume Gorge on the way to waterfalls and more as part of the Flume-Pool Loop Hike
The narrow walkway traversing the Flume Gorge on the way to waterfalls and more as part of the Flume-Pool Loop Hike

Even though the loop trail had a modest length, there was some elevation gain and loss of about 250ft in both directions to add to the difficulty.

Moreover, I was carrying our daughter on my back in a carrier, which further added to the exertion on this hike.

So we bumped up the difficulty score as a result though I could easily imagine someone not as encumbered as I was would have an easier time.

Anyways, we did the loop hike in a counterclockwise manner, which began from a fairly large visitor center that featured some historic displays as well as some stuffed life-sized animals as well.

The_Flume_245_10012013 - One of the historical artifacts on display inside the Flume Visitor Center
One of the historical artifacts on display inside the Flume Visitor Center

There was also a greasy cafe here that was convenient for us when we finished our hike.

The admission fee to do this hike was a steep $15 per adult.

Fortunately, Tahia got to go in free as she was well under 5 years of age.

Once we got past the entrance window, we then went out through the back of the visitor center where there was a nice view of the Autumn colors with Mt Liberty and Mt Flume backing the scene.

We had a choice of hiking to the left along a trail or going down to a little cul-de-sac where a shuttle would periodically come and go.

The_Flume_026_10012013 - The glacial boulder near the trail junction that marked the starting and ending of the Flume-Pool Loop Hike
The glacial boulder near the trail junction that marked the starting and ending of the Flume-Pool Loop Hike

We opted to keep left and do the hike instead of taking the shuttle, which in hindsight didn’t seem to go that far anyways.

Next, we hiked gently uphill through a wooded area that provided some welcome relief from the sun on a day that promised to be unseasonably warm.

Not long thereafter, we made it to a junction where there was a large glacial boulder that seemed to be a popular photo op.

This junction was the start and end of the loop.

Hiking the Flume-Pool Loop – The First Half to the Flume Gorge

So we headed downhill on the right to do the loop counterclockwise.

The_Flume_031_10012013 - The Covered Bridge over the Pemigewasset River as we started the Flume-Pool Loop Hike in a counterclockwise manner
The Covered Bridge over the Pemigewasset River as we started the Flume-Pool Loop Hike in a counterclockwise manner

The trail eventually descended towards the attractive red-colored Flume Covered Bridge spanning the Pemigewasset River.

A short distance beyond the bridge, we noticed a building that seemed to be a souvenir shop or snack bar at the end of the shuttle route that we opted not to take.

And it was beyond this building that the trail then climbed alongside the Flume Brook.

During this stretch of the trail, we saw a sliding cascade over the Table Rock.

I guess this cascade would marginally count as a waterfall in my mind, but we were well aware of how slippery and deceptively dangerous it could get given the smooth surfaces here.

The_Flume_047_10012013 - Encountering a 'cascade' on Table Rock that I would marginally count as a waterfall, but it made the bedrock slippery. This was seen early on in our loop hike of the Flume-Pool Loop
Encountering a ‘cascade’ on Table Rock that I would marginally count as a waterfall, but it made the bedrock slippery. This was seen early on in our loop hike of the Flume-Pool Loop

Yet that didn’t stop some people from putting rocks in the brook further upstream, which made for some interesting patterns in the waterflow.

Next, the trail then became a narrow boardwalk, which made it easy to clog traffic whenever I stopped to take photos.

The boardwalk clung onto the gorge walls as the trail entered into a section known as the Flume Gorge, which was where the hike probably got its name.

With the walls closing in on us as we proceeded further along the gorge, the sounds of rushing water echoed loudly in this attractive part of the hike.

The_Flume_070_10012013 - Entering the Flume Gorge, which was probably the most dramatic part of the Flume-Pool Loop Hike
Entering the Flume Gorge, which was probably the most dramatic part of the Flume-Pool Loop Hike

We could see up near the head of the gorge was a waterfall that ran alongside some steps that would eventually leave this narrow section.

Then, after getting through this section, we saw more cascades as the scenery opened up a little before going through a less taller gorge where the narrow trail went right in front of the Avalanche Falls.

This waterfall was said to be 40ft tall and it was at about 3/4-mile from the visitor center.

We noticed that the best photographs of waterfalls this close to the trail were at an angle.

The_Flume_133_10012013 - Julie checking out the Avalanche Falls, which was the waterfall at the head of the Flume Gorge
Julie checking out the Avalanche Falls, which was the waterfall at the head of the Flume Gorge

However, with the constant traffic combined with the awkward viewing angle on the boardwalk, the best we could do was the photo you see at the top of this page.

The trail then went up some steps to climb out of the depths of the mini-gorge.

That was when we noticed a little bear cave that was an interesting little photo op.

And not much further beyond the cave, the trail curved back around over a bridge and deviated towards the top of Avalanche Falls.

Hiking the Flume-Pool Loop – The Remainder of the Trail

The_Flume_136_10012013 - Looking into the Bear Cave near Avalanche Falls at the head of the Flume Gorge
Looking into the Bear Cave near Avalanche Falls at the head of the Flume Gorge

Continuing on the loop trail, we then traversed what was called the Liberty Ridge section of the trail, which passed through what a sign called the Flume Woods.

Not surprisingly, the hike went through a much quieter wooded section which was a nice change of scenery from the loud sounds and the drama of the Flume Gorge.

So this part of the hike persisted for the next half-mile or so before the trail went over a bridge by a shelter that was above the Liberty Cascade.

Just beyond the shelter, we took a short spur trail down some steps leading to an overlook above the Liberty Gorge with a much better frontal view of the 70ft Liberty Cascade.

The_Flume_168_10012013 - Direct look at the Liberty Cascade after taking a short spur that briefly deviated from the Flume-Pool Loop Hike
Direct look at the Liberty Cascade after taking a short spur that briefly deviated from the Flume-Pool Loop Hike

Back on the main trail, the trail then swung around towards an overlook of the Pool.

From the vantage point here, it seemed like this was basically a large gorge with what appeared to be a dark and deep pool beneath us.

While the views here were nice, we quickly continued on the trail which now descended towards the Sentinel Pine Covered Bridge spanning the gorge that gave rise to the Pool.

We could hear rushing water below us, but it didn’t appear that there was a waterfall from the views we were able to get so far.

The_Flume_218_10012013 - Looking down into the confines of the Wolf's Den near the end of the Flume-Pool Loop Hike
Looking down into the confines of the Wolf’s Den near the end of the Flume-Pool Loop Hike

On the other side of the bridge, we then passed by a Wolf’s Den, which was a very narrow slot in the rock where apparently wolves used to reside.

Now, it was a detour of the trail where we could’ve tried to squeeze our way in and then go up some stairs on the other side.

But since we were carrying Tahia with us and she was starting to get a little bit cranky at this time, we decided not to go through the trouble of squeezing in and out of it.

So continuing on the main trail, we then reached another junction where we saw a spur path that descended to a lookout for the Pool.

The_Flume_207_10012013 - Looking back at the Sentinel Pine Covered Bridge after having crossed it and making the detour to get down to the Pool near the end of the Flume-Pool Loop Hike
Looking back at the Sentinel Pine Covered Bridge after having crossed it and making the detour to get down to the Pool near the end of the Flume-Pool Loop Hike

If it weren’t for the signs here showing drawings of a waterfall fronting the Sentinel Pine Covered Bridge, I wouldn’t have bothered to come down here.

But when we finally made it down to the lookout point (knowing full well that I’d have to climb back up with Tahia on my back), I was pleasantly surprised to see the real thing was almost as romantic as the drawing we had seen earlier.

It also dawned on me that the waterfall that we couldn’t see until now was probably the very reason why the rushing water sound was as loud as it was.

With the Pool being the third (or fourth if you count Table Rock) and last waterfall on this hike, the rest of the excursion was pretty much a mad dash to get back to the visitor center to have lunch.

The_Flume_239_10012013 - Going past some giant glacial boulders at the very end of the Flume-Pool Loop Hike
Going past some giant glacial boulders at the very end of the Flume-Pool Loop Hike

However, the trail had to climb to get there, and I definitely felt the burn on my thighs at this stage of the hike.

But then we found ourselves at a very nice overlook with more Autumn colors fronting Mt Liberty and Mt Flume all juxtaposed against clear blue skies.

Finally, the trail descended amongst more glacial boulders before returning to the trail junction by the first glacial boulder we saw.

In the end, the overall hike took us about 2.5 hours, which was very slow for a two-mile hike.

The_Flume_017_10012013 - Back at the Flume Gorge visitor center, where we were able to get this nice panorama of Autumn colors fronting Mt Liberty and Mt Flume
Back at the Flume Gorge visitor center, where we were able to get this nice panorama of Autumn colors fronting Mt Liberty and Mt Flume

However, that just gives you an idea of how long this hike would take if you were to go at a very relaxed pace while carrying a child.

Authorities

The Waterfalls of the Flume (or Flume-Pool Loop) reside in the Flume Gorge near Lincoln in Grafton County, New Hampshire. It is administered by the New Hampshire Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. For information or inquiries about the area as well as current conditions, visit their website.

Maps and Routing Content are for annual members. See Membership Options.
Content is for members. See Membership Options.
Tagged with: lincoln, franconia notch, state park, grafton county, new hampshire, waterfall, new england, the flume, flume-pool, autumn colors, fall colors, avalanche falls, liberty cascade



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Johnny Cheng

About Johnny Cheng

Johnny Cheng is the founder of the World of Waterfalls and author of the award-winning A Guide to New Zealand Waterfalls. Over the last 2 decades, he has visited thousands of waterfalls in over 40 countries around the world and nearly 40 states in the USA.
Read More About Johnny | A Guide to New Zealand Waterfalls.