Waterville Valley Waterfall Tour
1. THE CASCADES
This is an easy out and back trail to a unique section of Slide Brook with scenic rapids, swimming holes, and plunge pools.
Distance: 3 miles (round trip)
Elevation Gain: 540 feet
Time: 1.5-2.5 hours
Start your hike at the Snow’s Mountain Parking Lot. Park in the north end of the lot, furthest away from the chairlift. From here you will walk across Cascade Ridge Road to begin the trail. There is a sign marking the trailhead. Next you will walk up a grassy hill following the curves of the road. After entering a wooded section there will be a fork in the trail in front of a large house, you will stay right. The trail continues up the hill and crosses the road before joining an old ski trail on Snow’s mountain.
Continue to follow the trail until it forks again, there will be a Cascade Path sign marking the left path. The trail begins to rise and winds through the forest as you cross the Swazeytown cross country ski trail. From here you will continue uphill for a moment before spending a good distance gently meandering downhill, passing an intersection with the Elephant Rock hiking trail.
1.2 miles into your hike the trail joins with the Lower Snow’s Mountain trail near a small bridge. Take a right and cross the bridge, following the trail for a couple hundred feet until you come to the next bridge. Just before it you will see another Cascade Path sign where the trail branches off to the right.
After 0.2 miles you will come to the first in a series of waterfalls and gorges. The trail splits at the first waterfall, you can hike up either side of the brook. Both sides offer unique and fantastic views of the cascades and the pools below. These pools are great swimming spots on hot days. The trails terminate after 0.3 miles, meeting at a large bridge on the Upper Snow’s Mountain trail.
From here you can continue down the other side of the brook and head back the way you came or you can use the Snow’s Mountain Trail to explore other areas.
2. Smart’s Brook
This is a very easy out and back hike that leads to a popular swimming hole just over a mile from Route 49.
Distance: 2.2 Miles (round trip)
Elevation Gain: 230 feet
Time: 40-60 minutes
The trail begins at the southwestern end of the Smarts Brook parking lot, on your left as you head out of Waterville Valley on Route 49, just after Upper Mad River Road crosses the river on your right. From the parking lot the trail turns left and enters the woods on some log steps, joining with an old roadbed.
Soon a cross country ski trail with a blue marker bears to the left. Stay right and follow the trail through a stand of hemlocks until you join with a logging road. Here, the Tri-Town Trail continues straight ahead. To remain on the Smarts Brook Trail, turn left at the intersection on the logging road. After a while, the brook will come alongside the roadbed on your left. Soon after that, you will come to a forest protection area, where there is a popular swimming hole. From here you can enjoy the cool waters then head back the way you came.
3. WATERVILLE FLUME
Known to locals as one of the most underrated natural features in the White Mountains, the Waterville Flume is a gorge with 60+ foot walls cut into the mountains by Flume Brook.
Distance: 5.4 Miles (round trip)
Elevation Gain: 1,190 feet
Time: 2-4 Hours
To get to The Waterville Flume you will park at the Livermore USFS Fee lot. Take a left on Livermore Road and begin hiking north for about .9 miles. You will take a left when you see a sign marked Kettle’s Path/Irene’s Path.
Follow Irene’s Path for about a mile and as it gently switchbacks upwards before beginning a steep climb up a second hill. Around the top of the second hill you will see a yellow sign marking the spur trail to The Scaur.It is a short steep trail to The Scaur, which offers wonderful views of Waterville Valley, Mount Tecumseh, and the Sandwich Range.
Continue on Irene’s path as it climbs Scaur Ridge before dropping down into the next valley on a series of steep switchbacks. Look out for a clearing on one of the corners that offers a northern view of East Osceola and Mad River Notch.
About a mile after The Scaur Spur Trail you will come to a junction with the Old Skidder Trail. Stay left and the Flume is about .2 miles further down the trail. Return back the way you came.
4. FLETCHER’S CASCADE
This easy out and back hike heads up the Drakes Brook Valley to Fletcher’s Cascade, a picturesque series of chutes and ledges that begins on the boggy summit of Flat Mountain.
Distance: 3.2 miles
Elevation Gain: 710 feet
Time: 1:30-2 hours
Park at the Sandwich Mountain Trailhead located on the right side of Route 49 heading into the Valley just before the welcome sign. Begin your hike on the Drakes Brook cross country ski trail to the left of the parking lot. The trail gradually winds alongside the river before it splits onto the Lower Fletcher’s Cascade cross country ski trail.
At the top of a hill you will then leave the ski trail and take the Fletcher’s Cascade Trail which angles up along the left-hand side of the brook. Careful foot placement is required as it can be wet in several sections. After entering the Sandwich Range Wilderness, you will cross a stream and ascend a stone staircase. From here the trail becomes steep for a short distance, ascending directly beside the brook.
When you reach a tall rock face the trail will then take a sharp turn to the left which will lead you directly to the waterfall. Enjoy the views and then return back the way you came.
P.S. Think Snow!