4th July

Hi, We are a semi retired couple coming to New England for a month in June and have booked a cabin in Bartlett for a week from the 2nd July. Is there much going on in the area to celebrate the 4th July and if so where is the best place to be?

We have never been to this part of the States and looking forward to seeing this beautiful area. We love walking and the outdoors, so would be very grateful for suggestions on favorite walks,swimming areas etc. What should be our priorities?

Many thanks for any suggestions, Ken and Chris (UK)

4th July

Can%26#39;t help you much regarding 4th of July activities -- are rarely in that area over the 4th.

However, you might check with the Mount Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce -- contact information is

visitor@mtwashingtonvalley.org They may be able to give you some idea of traditional annual activities.

As far as things to do....a couple of ';walk-related'; activities to check out: check with the local folks for directions to Diana%26#39;s Baths, a nice walk/hike in part of the White Mountains National Forest. It%26#39;s about a mile-and-a-half walk (three miles maybe round trip) on a generally smooth trail with easy grades to the site of a former mill....all that%26#39;s left now are parts of the concrete foundations...but it%26#39;s a pretty site with the stream that used to provide the water power for the mill cascading between the rocks....a great spot to dip your feet in the refreshing water on a hot summer%26#39;s day.

Also, check out Cathedral Ledge near Morth Conway Village. You can drive to the top of this popular local rock-climbing cliff and get a great view of Mt Cranmore and the valley below. Just don%26#39;t be too surprised if you suddenly see someone%26#39;s head pop up over the edge of the rock cliff as a climber completes his ascent. Another cooling spot on a hot July day.

4th July

I am glad that there are no hard feelings and that you want to share our independence day with us (LOL)

Here is a link about last year%26#39;s celebration boston.com/travel/…

You should watch the Mount Washington chamber of commerce website and the visitNH.gov for updated information. I know that the Mt Washington Hotel has festivities and I am sure that a number of the ski resorts will have fireworks as well. Another option is the Lake Winni festivities. Lots to choose from. Many places will have a local chamber group, barber shop quartet or orchestra playing patriotic music from a bandstand or gazebo in the village square.

I really love these questions. I just g--gled ';old fashioned july 4th new hampshire'; and would you believe there is a link about that topic

ehow.com/how_2029570_independence-day-nh.html

There are also celebrations in Boston (seeing the Pops on the Esplanade is one of my favorite ways to spend the 4th) and in many of the towns along the coastline. Sometimes you can see the fireworks from 3 or 4 towns at the same time.

Now for the hiking part, it is worth getting one the local guide books or check out the Appalachian Mountain Club (outdoors.org) or the many blogs on hiking in New England. A nice canoe or tube ride on the saco is fun. Jackson Falls is always refreshing or you will see people just parking the car on the side of the road and jumping in a river. You can visit Lake Winni, Ossipee, or Squam lakes (of On Golden Pond fame) or many of the other lakes in the area. Lake Winni has rental boats and tour boats. (45 minutes from Bartlett) Your priority should be to enjoy the beauty and don%26#39;t worry if you miss something cause you sat down to just enjoyed the views.

You will certainly take a trip up rt 302 through the Crawford pass for great views. Arathusa Falls is a more than moderate hike but worth it. Be careful about how strenous a hike you take depending on your activity level. A cocktail on the veranda of the Mt Wash Hotel watching the Cog rail chug up the hill is a great way to relax and feel special even if you are not staying there. Flume Gorge is definitely worth the price of admission.

Send away for the many brochures so you have an idea because you will want your trip to be kinda planned with room for some spontaneous adventure.

Anyway, I have to stop writing now and go to the dinner table or my wife will get really angry at me.

I think you will have a great time.

Thanks for all your suggestions. We are a fairly fit couple in our 50s and regular walkers. We are able to do anything up to 15 miles depending on the gradient . It will also be great to share your July 4th celebrations and will keep an eye on websites to see whats going on.

Thanks again, Chris and Ken

Only if you are fit and the weather is perfect, then I would suggest hiking Mt Wash. The most popular trail from Pinkham Notch thru Tuckerman%26#39;s ravine is well traveled. The temperature gradient is about 30 degrees F from bottom to top. It is a 4 mile hike each way but it took my daughter and myself about 10 hours for the round trip ( I was 50- daughter 15). This is the kind of adventure that you have to allow for spontaneity. If you wake up early and weather is great (and going to stay that way) then you have to be prepared to move. There are alot of things to know before you attempt this which I would be happy to share if it may be an option for you.

Neslaw1 is right about Mt Washington being a great hike for those in physical condition to attempt it. And his message implies, but could have been more explicit about, the need to be fully prepared before you attempt that particular hike. There%26#39;s been an entire book written and published about folks who decided to climb Mt Washington be weren%26#39;t prepared for the weather changes which can happen in a matter of hours -- including very cold temperatures and even snow and ice on the summit during months of the year where you%26#39;d least expect it.

I%26#39;m not saying that you shouldn%26#39;t consider taking that particular hike -- only that if you are considering it, please do some research ahead of time so you can ';hike smart'; and be prepared.

The Appalachian Mountain Club has a website with suggestions and guidelines for folks contemplating this climb. You might want to check it out at:

outdoors.org/recreation/hiking/hiking-mtwash…

Mainer

I tried to be explicit but your secondary caution is certainly appropriate. If Ken and Chris or any one else is even contemplating this hike (or any like it), then preparation is the key. While you may need to be spontaneous about picking the day, it is not something to be done whimsically. If you have the opportunity, have the physical stamina (which is not ironman level)and have the interest, it is something to be done. Hopefully, we have piqued the interest of some.

Depending on where you are staying in Bartlett, you may be able to walk to the Saco River for a refreshing swim. Once you%26#39;re settled in, head on in to North Conway and take the ';Notch Train'; to Crawford Notch where the Appalachian Mountain Club should have all the information you need concerning hiking in the White Mountains National Forest.

http://www.conwayscenic.com/

The Dome car fills up pretty quickly and is the best place to sit if you want to hear the old timers narrarate your trip.

Thanks all. We have done demanding hikes in Europe and always go prepared. Proper clothing,boots,maps,compass etc. Whether we do this hike or not will be very dependent on weather etc.It looks like there are plenty of other hikes to do and we are looking forward to it. Will we see much wildlife in the area, particularly moose and other wildlife we dont see in Europe? Thanks for continued suggestions.

Chris and Ken

The only moose we have ever seen is the one in my picture which is 3 inches high. This is probably my wife%26#39;s greatest disappointment. There are Moose sighting tours that you can take. Moose are more prevalent in the Great North Woods area of NH. Here is a website dedicated to that part of NH.

http://www.northnh.com/

I am no expert on wildlife in NH (or anywhere else for that matter), but there are lots of sites that you can check out that can provide some info. In general, the further off the traveled path, the better your opportunities. You can always go to Clark%26#39;s trading post where I guarantee you will see a bear. http://www.clarkstradingpost.com/

I%26#39;ll toss in two notes -- a nice alternative to the Mt. Washington Hike is Franconia notch. Up the Old Bridal Path, then down the Falling Waters Trail. I prefer this to Washington because there are only hikers on the summits (Mt. Washington has an auto road and a train bringing visitors to a somewhat crowded summit) -- that and the views are spectacular. Washington is often covered in clouds since it makes its own weather. The second note would be to obtain a copy of the Appalachian Mountain Clubs%26#39; book on day hikes in the White Moutains. It%26#39;s a terrific book that will get you on great trails (and there are many!)