To those who dream of distant snowy mountain tops, of moss covered valleys carved into stone by the trickle of ancient rivers, of dense mystical forests with twisting branches, allow me to introduce you to the Franconia Notch. Exploring these mountain ranges was like stepping into a middle earth movie where one could expect a forest pixie or an Elvish lord to linger along these enchanted trails.
At the base of Cannon mountain is where most of the waterfalls, rock valleys, and overhanging platforms are situated. This area has a lot of stairs to climb, but for those willing to endure the walk the views are priceless. The looming stone cliffs which the platforms are fastened to tower overhead and make one aware of their own petite insignificance in nature's domain. There are several small caves in the rocks for those bold enough to climb up to them. Just be warned that bears, coyotes, moose, foxes, and bats all occupy these regions and can all pose a threat to humans.
Once finished exploring the base of the mountain, I would recommend seeing the summit for yourself. Taking a sky tram car to the top of the mountain eliminates most of the rigorous walking required to otherwise see these spectacular locations, but some brave hikers do make the trek. At the top is a small bar and cafe where one can stock up on refreshments before exploring. Beyond that point, trails diverge in many directions. Some lead to scenic overlooks from cliff sides, others go into dense foggy pine clustered woods, or scaling up haphazardly along fallen rocks for higher vantage points. But which ever path you take, most will lead you to the same place. The summit. Atop the mountain stands an enormous wooden observation tower. More climbing is involved here since the tower is several stories tall. But on a clear day I am told that you can see all the way to the New York shore line. I however visited during a foggy day, and as I climbed the steps higher and higher the ground quickly disappeared from beneath me. At the top, I stood engulfed in the fog with white clouds of fog hanging all around me, nothing above or below me. It felt as though I were suspended in time and space, the world around me had vanished I was lost in a place that wasn't entirely real. It was a surreal feeling, but one which I will never forget.
If you ever have the chance to visit New Hampshire, I would highly recommend seeing Canon Mountain in Franconia for yourself. The town at the base of the mountain is filled with fun shops and restaurants, and during the winter this place is known as a great place to ski. But I would advise you to visit in the early fall when the air is warm and the autumn leaves are just beginning to turn their colors. Immerse yourself in this hauntingly beautiful fantasy realm and experience nature in her true glory.
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