New Hampshire's White Mountains

For our third annual dog trip, Ty and I went to New Hampshire's White Mountains, with a side trip to Dog Mountain (in Vermont). It took a day to get to New Hampshire. We stayed the first night at a Days Inn in Keane, New Hampshire. 

Map of White Mountains

750,852 acres of forest, est. 1918

On the second day I drove the 34.5 mile Kancamagus Scenic Byway (NH Route 112).  It connects the towns of Lincoln and Conway through the heart of the White Mountains National Forest. We stopped at Lincoln Woods, Otter Rocks, and Sabbaday Falls, as well as several scenic overlooks. I drove Bear Notch Road to Bartlett, then turned around to rejoin Kancamangus Highway. The next stops included Rocky Gorge Scenic Area , the Lower Falls, and Albany Covered Bridge. We stayed in a cabin in Conway overnight.

35.5 mile scenic drive 

On the next day, I made a quick stop at the Saco Creek Covered Bridge. I drove to Echo Lake State Park to get a picture of Cathedral Ledge from below, but they wouldn't let me in because I had a dog. I wasn't allowed to bring a dog, nor leave him in the car. I was disappointed. Stupid New Hampshire law. So we drove to the top of Cathedral Ridge. Next we visited Diana's Baths, before heading to the Mt. Washington Auto Highway (in Gorham). After doing the breathtaking drive up and down the mountain we headed west. We traveled another scenic highway though Crawford Notch State Park, before arriving at our hotel in Sugar Hill (near Franconia).

A parking pass was required for the National Forest 

Ski cabins at the end of a driveway

The next day we visited the Basin in Franconia State Park. We had a quick stop at the Boise Rock, before heading north to Dog Mountain in Vermont. After spending a few hours at Dog Mountain, I traveled the interstate to Brattlesboro (Vermont) where I had booked a room at the Colonial Inn. The next day we drove home, arriving about 5:30 pm.

Staying in New Hampshire

During my trip to New Hampshire, I stayed at two delightful Airbnbs. I rented a cabin in North Conway (Beach Camping Area on the GPS). Conway was the eastern starting point (or ending point) for the scenic Kancamagus Highway (NH Route 112). I ended my scenic drive there. I had started in Lincoln.

Cabin in Conway

The name of my cabin was "Bear Notch." It was very nice inside. The cabin next to me was occupied; otherwise, there wasn't much activity at the campground. Mostly there were spots for camping. A few cabins and a yurt. Check-in was contact-less. They had taped an envelope (with my name on it) to the outside of the office with instructions (keycode for door). There was also a code to get into the campground. They had texted that to me ahead of time.

Bear Notch

Inside the cabin

At night

There was a "beach" along the Saco River. I took Ty for walks around the campground and through the woods to the beach. Not the most scenic beach, but it was probably a pretty popular spot in summer.

Path to the beach

Beach on Saco River

Saco River

The next night I stayed at the Hide Away Inn in Sugar Hill, near Franconia. The Hideaway Inn was located atop a mountain at the former location of the historic Sunset Hill House. 

The Hide Away Inn

Checking in 

It was a boutique hotel with nostalgic décor. It had lots of amenities, too. My room was on the second floor. There was a lot of area around the hotel to take Ty for long walks. There were panoramic views of the White Mountains, including the presidential range. The fall colors made the scenery especially picturesque.

My room at the Inn

Sunset in Sugar Hill

Scenic view of the mountains

Scenic spot

Another view of the mountains

Beautiful flowers

Colorful picture of the backside of the hotel

The first and last nights I stayed in motels, in the Days Inn in Keane, NH, and the Colonial Inn in Brattlesboro, VT. They certainly weren't anything special.

Lincoln Woods

Our first stop along the Kancamagus Highway (Route 112) was Lincoln Woods. Lincoln Woods featured a scenic suspension footbridge over the East Branch of the Pemigewasset River. The trail to the falls was closed, so we didn't do much hiking. The views of the river were scenic.

Lincoln Woods Suspension bridge

East Branch of the Pemigewasset River

Pedestrian bridge

On the bridge

Ty on the bridge

Bridge No. 170/159

Rocky Gorge

The Rocky Gorge Scenic Area was a stop along the Kancamagus Highway. It featured a gorge and waterfalls. You could go on both sides of the Swift River via a foot bridge. It was a relatively short walk from the parking lot. Ty enjoyed the excursion. We were able to go out onto the rocks.

Water flowing down the gorge

Foot bridge

The other side

Ten thousand years ago, a mile-high sheet of ice covered the White Mountains. As it melted, glacial meltwater carved a narrow gorge into the granite bedrock along the Swift River. The gorge became a popular tourist attraction after the Civil War. The Rocky Gorge Scenic Area is managed by the US Forest Service. 

Waterfalls

Ty at the gorge

This boulder has two babies!

Albany Covered Bridge

I always enjoy seeing covered bridges. There are over 80 in New Hampshire. The White Mountain National Forest Bridge -- or Albany Covered Bridge -- was a stop along the scenic Kancamagus Highway (Route 112). The 120-foot long bridge was in a beautiful setting, spanning the crystal clear waters of the Swift River. It is one of the most photographed bridges in New Hampshire. I could see why.

Albany Covered Bridge, c. 1858

Bridge selfie

One lane bridge

Open to one-way traffic

The Albany Covered Bridge was originally built in 1858 for a cost of $1300. The new bridge was destroyed by storm. It was quickly rebuilt and used for over 100 years. It was renovated in 1970.

Also known as White National Forest Bridge

Swift River

120-feet long 

Inside the bridge

The other side

Bridge etchings

Peering through the bridge