Crystal Cascade

Pinkhams Grant , Coos County, NH , USA

No Known Alternate Names

An old postcard image from the archive

The first time I went to Crystal Cascade, I got off to a 4:30 AM start, hit Thompson Falls at sunup, then drove to the parking lot near Crystal Cascade. To my dismay, I found hundreds of hikers swarming around in the parking lot. A bunch of Tuckerman day-hikers. Too much of a crowd makes me break out. I passed, and went to Glen Ellis Falls instead. A few years later, I went back. And I'm very happy I did. This is a great waterfall, easy access, great overlook, great experience. You climb some rock steps, walk out onto a solidly constructed observation platform and look across the gorge to see the Cutler River leap over a 60' fan-type waterfall, then surge over a 20' plunge nto a narrow gorge below.

This is an unusual formation, A volcanic vent Metadiabase with Boott Member Schist below.

Late afternoon or early morning will both have favorable light conditions, but late afternoon is far more desireable. In the morning, you'll have to compete for space with all of the Tuckermans hikers. This waterfall is an excellent slow shutter study. Your tripod will be needed here. Your warming filter and you polarizer should be with you too. A fairly wide angle lens will help fit the falls in the frame, 28-80mm should be sufficient.

The falls are about 3/10 of a mile up the Tuckermans Ravine Trail. Park at the AMC Pinkhams Notch lot, and follow the trail up, you can't miss it.

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