Waterfalls of New Hampshire - Avalanche Falls

avalanche-falls1

(reproduced by permission from author Dean Goss)

Details:

Avalanche Falls is the crown jewel of Flume Gorge. The location pretty much can’t be beat. After making your way up the walkway in Flume Gorge, you pass by the base of this waterfall. The base of the falls is no more than 10′ away when you walk past. Spray becomes a problem for the camera carrying waterfall bug. I took a shot from the downstream side, then sprinted past the base of the falls to get shots from other vantage points.

Geology and Bedrock Structure:

A flume is formed when softer rock that has filled a crack in harder rock is eroded by natural forces, especially water. This is the finest example of a flume gorge that I’ve seen. Sabbaday Falls and the Dixville Flume are other excellent example. This particular flume is in the Conway Granite.

History:

The falls were discovered in 1808 by a 93 year old woman named Jessie Guernsey who discovered the formation while fishing not far from her homestead. A large boulder used to be lodged in the flume well overhead of any visitors, but a goliath flood in 1883 washed it away.

Photography Notes:

You should gladly pay your admission, and have your full camera kit with you. This is a great place to shoot, particularly in lower flow, when the water takes on a delicate and graceful display. Along the loop trail are several worthwhile attractions. You’ll want your polarizer for certain. Focal lengths in the range of 35-105mm should serve you well, though you may want to use your telephoto lens to horizontally compress the view up the gorge.

Directions:

Take Route 3 into Franconia Notch. The Flume Gorge is very well advertised. The last time I was there, adult admission was $8.50.