Page 177 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - USA

NE W HA MPSHIRE  175

foliage colors transform the premier ski resorts. In summer, it
rugged countryside into a offers activities such as nature
palette of flaming red maples, walks, tours of caves, mountain
golden birch, and maroon biking, and horseback riding.
northern red oaks, interspersed
with evergreens. } Loon Mountain
Another popular route is the E of I-93, near Lincoln. Tel (603) 745-
Kancamagus Highway, touted 8111, (800) 229-5666. & 7 0
by many as the most beautiful
road in New England. This z Lake
34-mile (55-km) road, which Winnipesaukee
runs through the White
Narrow Flume Gorge in Franconia Notch Mountain National Forest n Lakes Region Association, (800)
State Park between Lincoln and Conway, 605-2537. ∑ lakesregion.org
offers exceptional vistas as it
tramway speeds passengers climbs 3,000 ft (914 m) through With a shoreline that meanders
to the 4,180-ft (1,254-m) summit the Kancamagus Pass. The for 240 miles (386 km), and a
of Cannon Mountain in just road descends into the Saco surface area of 72 sq miles
8 minutes. Valley and joins up with the (187 sq km), this stunning lake
Robert Frost (1874–1963), trout-filled Swift River. There is has New Hampshire’s largest
one of America’s best-loved easy access for fishermen from stretch of waterfront. Ringed by
poets, settled in the Franconia the highway to the river, and mountains and scattered with
Notch region in 1915. The Frost there are campgrounds and 274 islands, Lake Winnispesaukee
Place Museum includes a half- picnic areas along the entire has sheltered bays, harbors,
mile nature trail that has plaques length of the highway. Well- and resort towns around its
displaying the poems written by marked trails allow drivers to shores. The largest and
Frost during the years he lived stretch their legs amid the pret tiest of these is Wolfeboro.
in Franconia. beautiful scenery – a popular Leaving from Weirs Beach, the
one is the short loop that leads MS Mount Washington offers
l White Mountain to the lovely Sabbaday Falls. the best scenic cruise in all
New England. To its north is
National Forest g Kancamagus Hwy upscale Meredith, with lovely
Rte 112 between Lincoln & Conway. lakeside homes.
n 71 White Mountain Dr, Campton
(603) 536-6100. Camping: Tel (877) n Saco District Ranger Station, 33 North of Meredith is pristine
Kancamagus Hwy, (603) 447-5448.
444-6777. Call for availability & Squam Lake, ideal for boating
reservations. & 7 and fishing, where the movie
Environs On Golden Pond (1981) was
New Hampshire’s most beautiful Close to the White Mountains is filmed. The town of Center
wilderness area, the White the Lincoln/Woodstock region, Sandwich is on Winnipesaukee’s
Mountain National Forest, sprawls whose main attraction is Clark’s north shore. Surrounded by
over 1,203 sq miles (3,116 sq km). Trading Post. This curious woodland, it is a favorite
The area has an abundance of combination of circus acts, destination during fall foliage
wildlife, including a large amusement park rides, and season. On the eastern shore,
population of moose, which can museums makes a welcome the Castle in the Clouds
often be seen from the road. change for children after a leaf- mansion crowns the crest of
Outdoor activities offered in peeping drive. Lincoln is a base a hill that rises some 750 ft
this region range from bird- camp for both backwoods (229 m) above the lake. A
watching and rock climbing adventurers and stick-to-the- 70-mile (113-km) drive around
to skiing and kayaking. But road sightseers. Nearby Loon Lake Winnipesaukee takes in
even less sporty travelers will Mountain is one of the state’s all these sights.
revel in the spectacular scenery
visible from their car – valleys
flanked by tall pine forests,
waterfalls that tumble over
rocky outcrops, and more
than 20 summits that soar
to over 4,000 ft (1,200 m).
An especially scenic stretch of
road is the 100-mile- (161-km-)
long White Mountains Trail
that loops across Mount
Washington Valley through
Crawford Notch and Franconia
Notch. In autumn, brilliant fall The beautiful scenery to be found in White Mountain National Forest

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