Flume Gorge: Franconia Notch State Park
Hey, I'm Emily and today we're exploring one of mother nature's most spectacular natural wonders!
From the visitors center, follow the flume path across the Pemigewasset River on the Flume Covered Bridge and walk along the rushing waters of the Flume Brook where a large outcropping is known as Table Rock.
Further upstream, the Flume gradually takes shape as rock walls converge and a cool mist fills the canyon.
From here the natural Gorge extends eight hundred feet and becomes as narrow as twelve feet wide.
A wooden boardwalk threads the gorge and the granite walls rise around you in sheer perpendicular to a height of 90 feet.
Suspended above Flume Brook, the boardwalk also allows you to peer closely into the clear mountain stream below as well as examine the flowers and ferns nestled in the gorge walls.
At the top is a close view of Avalanche Falls cascading down from the brink of a cliff.
The 45 foot waterfall creates dashing spray and sweeps across the boardwalk before entering the gorge below.
Further down Ridge Path, a turnoff leads to Liberty Gorge a beautiful cascading mountain stream that flows through the narrow valley.
Beyond that the Sentinel Pine Bridge spans high above the Pemigewasset River and provides a view down into the Pool which is a deep crystal-clear basin surrounded by massive cliffs.
Kids might like squeezing through the Wolf Den - a narrow one-way path that involves crawling through the rocks.
There's so much more to appreciate here, so take your time exploring the sanctum of Mother Nature where you can be refreshed by its coolness and inspired by its wonder.
Download transcript (TXT)
