Let's start with the hike up to the falls. I am going to counter what most people say. First off, I backpack in the mountains, so this was a very easy hike for me from the welcome center without a pack. However, my wife, 5' 7" 150 lbs, with no hiking experience but in decent physical shape, thought otherwise.
The issue for someone with no trail walking experience is the trail surface. This trail is all uphill with a very rocky surface for most of the distance. Yes, maybe only about 1 mile round trip, but beware, although it is described as easy, it is not a walk in the park. You will have some amount of exertion going uphill to this beautiful and well worth it destination, the falls.
Once you get to the bridge, you have to cross it, take the bend in the trail to the right and get up to the viewing platform. Again,...
Read moreWe hiked to Crystal Cascades with our dog along Tuckerman Ravine Trail. The rest of the trail would have been probably too difficult for him, but it's pretty easy to the waterfall. The 100-foot waterfall is really spectacular. Stone steps just off the trail lead to a nice view of this beauty. It was my favorite one we visited in New Hampshire, maybe all of New England. Parking can be difficult at the visitor center, but overflow parking can be found. But this is definitely a must-see if...
Read moreShort hike to the Crystal Cascades, but really pretty! It is pretty much all uphill. Some ladies were having trouble going back down from the falls when I was there because the ground was a little rocky (not at all like a scramble, but not flat) and they were wearing sandals, so it may be better to wear any type of sneaker. The parking can be crowded, but people seemed to be coming and going often, so it wasn't long until a spot...
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