Flume Gorge

Lincoln , Grafton County, NH , USA

No Known Alternate Names

An old postcard image from the archive

Flume Gorge is one of the most frequently visited scenic attractions in the White Mountains, and for very good reason. Flume Brook has exploited a basalt dike and opened and eroded a 20' wide, 80' deep, 800' long crack in the rock. There is a walkway bolted to the wall of the gorge and you can walk right up what is one of the most unique features you'll encounter anywhere. There are several waterfall formations here, Table Rock, the unnamed falls halfway up, Avalanche Falls, and if you finish the loop trail, you can add Liberty Gorge Cascade and The Pool to the list.

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. This particular flume is in the Conway Granite.

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.

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.

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

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