Kancamagus

The Kancamagus Highway stretches across the White Mountains for 34.5 miles from Lincoln to Conway. This scenic road climbs to nearly 3,000 feet as it traverses the flank of Mt. Kancamagus and offers outstanding opportunities for distant mountain views, and close-up views of vibrant red, orange, yellow and golden fall leaves. The Kancamagus Highway was dedicated as the first of the National Scenic Byways in the northeastern U.S. 

The mountains and lands here are named for New Hampshire's most legendary Indians: Passaconaway (Child of the Bear), a peace-loving chief who united over 17 Indian tribes of Central New England into the Penacook Confederacy, and died in 1669. Kancamagus (The Fearless One), was the grandson of Passaconaway, and the third and final Sagamon of the Penacook Confederacy. Kancamagus tried to keep peace between the Indians and European pioneers, until harassments by the English brought war and bloodshed. The Confederacy's tribes scattered after 1691, and Kancamagus and his followers moved north to upper New Hampshire or into Canada. 

Much of the work on the Kancamagus Highway was completed by the CCC (Civilian Conservation Corp) which had a camp at Blackberry Crossing, now a state campground. The State Highway Department worked on the road after World War II whenever money became available. The section from the east and the section from the west were at last connected and opened to thru traffic in 1959. 

Today we made a big circle from Franconia, east through Bretton Woods; south to Conway, traveling through Crawford Notch State Park; west along the Kancamagus Highway; then, north through Franconia Notch. 

Bretton Woods Hotel, site of the Bretton Woods Conference that was held during World War II in July 1944. The Bretton Woods Conference, which planned funding for post-war reconstruction, mapped a new course for the world's monetary system, and sought ways to avert future global economic depressions. It resulted in the creation of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. 700 people, representing 44 countries attended. The leaders of the Conference were Henry Morgenthau, Jr., and the British Economist, John Maynard Keynes. 

Crawford Notch is a glacially carved valley formed during the last ice age. Mount Bemis is in the far distance; Mount Willey up closer.

From the viewpoint in the above picture there was a trail that led down to this lovely little pond with the inexplicable name, Dismal Pool. We found it charming.

Our big hike for the day was to Ripley Falls, in Crawford Notch State Park. This is the view at the trailhead. 

The trail to Ripley Falls was about two miles, with a 15 % grade straight up. Scrambling over roots and rocks we reached this very rewarding Falls.

Selfie at Ripley Falls. We look pretty happy that we made it!

Along the Kancamagus Highway.

An overview along the Kancamagus.

The Swift River that flows next to the Kancamagus.

Called Rocky Gorge Scenic Area on the Kancamagus, it is really another flume.

Our final stop was at the Sabbady Falls picnic area where we finally ate our lunch and took the trail up to the Falls. Along the trail lots of people were stopped, setting up their tripods and cameras, taking a picture of the Sabbady Brook. I took a picture too; I couldn't see anything special, I guess it's the beautiful red leaves in the brook.

Sabbaday Falls flowing through yet another flume.

The Sabbaday flume.

Upper part of the Sabbaday Falls.

Another selfie at a falls.

At the top was this ground out basin that I thought was kind of nice.

Another view of a colorful mountainside. I love the green top-knots above the color line.