Hiking and Railroading in New Hampshire

**cessna152towser** · 13th September 10, 06:41 PM

On Sunday I hiked from Loon Mountain Resort in to Lincoln along a riverside trail and visited the Hobo Railroad. Here is a Budd RDC, just like the trains on Vancouver Island where my relatives live.

I took a ride down the Pemigewasset valley on the picnic lunch train.

I rode in one of the nineteen twenties cars which were originally constructed for the Erie and Lackawanna Railroad.

Back in Lincoln, there were some long abandoned boxcars at the end of the rail yard. The tracks ended a few yards further on, where there had been new development.

The extension of the railroad above Lincoln had been a logging line known as the East Branch & Lincoln Railroad, forming a gently graded route into the mountains, the first four miles of which is now the main highway which passes Loon Mountain Resort.

At a fork, the road follows another branch of the railroad while the East Branch is now a hiking trail.

Most of the sleepers (ties) are still in place and many still have the stainless steel spikes for attaching the rails.

After walking the track for over three miles I came to a bridge over the East Branch of the Pemigewasset River. From here I would follow a rough trail up the left bank for a further half mile to the Franconia Falls.

Hiking the trail to the falls

On the rocks part way down the falls. The Franconia Falls are a series of cascades in which the river falls thirty feet.
My Utilikilt is perfect for hiking in this terrain. It was originally owned by Riverkilt so would be very much at home here, back in the USA and being worn on hikes into the wilderness.

**cessna152towser** · 13th September 10, 06:43 PM

A pool among the rocks at the Franconia Falls.

At the top end of the trail.

**denmcdough** · 13th September 10, 06:56 PM

Alex, great photos of NH. Welcome to the USA. Hope you have a great weekend for the games.

Are you going to see the Cog Railroad, which goes up Mt. Washington? If so, you better send more pics our way.

Enjoy your stay.

**BLHS209** · 13th September 10, 07:19 PM

Nice shots. Can't wait to get up there too!

**NewEnglander** · 13th September 10, 07:27 PM

Makes me miss New Hampshire and wish I was able to make it up for the Games. Keep the pics coming, Alex!

**SteveB** · 13th September 10, 07:48 PM

You really did get out and about today.
Really nice pictures.

You are welcome to leave copies on the computer you are using.

Slainte

**Mael Coluim** · 13th September 10, 07:59 PM

Wow! A great hike; a great train ride; what no great pub? Nice pix!

**Downunder Kilt** · 13th September 10, 08:44 PM

Not only can I sit in my chair and get great travelogues of Scotland and England, now it's USA. Thanks Alex, great work and thanks for the pics

**Standard** · 13th September 10, 08:51 PM

Great pictures Alex. Glad you were able to come to this side of the pond and see a few of our railways to add to your collection. Now, if you could have just found a nice warm pub for the end of your trek all would be right with the world.