I recall that these upper cascades along the Basin-Cascades Trail took a good effort to reach but they are lovely and are uncrowded. The Basin-Cascades Trail links the Basin to the Appalachian Trail’s Cascade Brook Trail that leads to Lonesome Lake. The last time we went to the Basin it was on our way to hike Cannon Mountain by the way of Lonesome Lake. There is also a pull-off for The Basin on the northbound side with a pedestrian tunnel under the parkway to reach the paved path. Here there is a good size parking lot and since it was early we had our choice of parking spaces. Charlie managed to slow down and maneuvered the car off the parkway and down the pull-off for the Basin. “Let’s go to The Basin first.” I quickly explained. “Stop, take the exit!” I startled Charlie with my plea. The cascading water makes the air feel misty and cool even on the hottest days. The wooden boardwalks and stairs permit visitors to walk right up through the narrow Flume Gorge. Campfire smoke lingered in the air as we drove past Lafayette Place Campground and already cars were parking on the shoulder of the parkway to access the hiking trails up to the Franconia Ridge. Cannon’s cliff is still missing the Old Man but you can pretend to see him if you peer up past the silhouette-gizmos at the memorial on the shore of Profile Lake. We saw Cannon’s Tramway cars getting ready for the day-one going up and the other headed down. I spied for grazing bears on Cannon’s ski slopes but I didn’t see any this time. We drove south through Franconia Notch passing by sparkling Echo Lake and its beach was empty since it was still early morning. The forecast was hot and humid again and during breakfast Charlie and I decided to make an early morning visit to the Flume Gorge to enjoy its cool cascading waters. The “Baby Flume” can be reached by following the muddy Pemi Trail a short distance from the Basin path. Downstream from the Basin is the “Baby Flume” a small gorge in the Pemigewasset River. We have visited these natural wonders many times and most often with friends and family from away as part of our efforts to show off our beautiful State. There is a nice path to view the Basin and the cascades.Įvery time we drive through Franconia Notch we pass the signs for the Flume Gorge and the Basin. The swirling waters of the Pemigewasset River eroded the granite and formed this giant bowl. If you’re on your way to Cannon Mountain or New England Ski Museum don’t just drive by the Basin in Franconia Notch State Park.
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