Arethusa (Water) Falls

The Fat Man and I had intended to climb Arethusa Falls yesterday, but when we reached the parking lot the skies opened up and it poured.  The Weather Channel app said there was 0% chance of precipitation.  If you can't trust the Weather Channel, whom can you trust for your immediate weather needs?  

Limmer Boots

We ended up taking the cog railway up to the summit of Mount Washington.  If you are one of the 5% of people who suffer from acrophobia (fear of heights), use the cost of the ticket ($62) to get a half-hour massage at the Mount Washington Hotel or a combination manicure/pedicure in town.  Trust me on this one.

Limmer boot fitting

Before setting out, we stopped at Limmer and Sons, the custom shoemaker.  The Fat Man ordered a pair of their hand-made boots a little over 12 months ago, but there's a waiting list of 18 months before they even start making your boots.  Today he just had his foot outline traced.  They are expensive (about $800), but that's the cost of having a boot made just for your tootsies.

There is a lower and upper parking lot at the start of the Arethusa Falls trail.  You can save yourself a hump up the hill by parking in the upper lot.  There's an outhouse with a no-frills, open-holed crapper by the lower parking lot.  It was a far cry from the pristine toilets I had grown accustomed to at Mount Willard and The Lincoln Woods Trail.   

Top of Arethusa Falls

Like Black Cap and Mount Willard, the 1,000 foot elevation gain on the Arethusa Falls Trail was steady, but gradual.  There were some sections that were a big step up (if you are under 5'2"), but still doable.

Tree root ankle twisters

Arethusa Falls Trail

Unlike our disappointment with the underwhelming Franconia Falls, Arethusa Falls is a very impressive waterfall.  In fact, at more than 200 feet high, it is the tallest waterfall in New Hampshire.  

Click on the sound file below to hear the powerful falls for yourself.

 
Arethusa Falls by Heidi and The Fat Man
 

Arethusa Falls Trail

You can also click on the Fat Man's Mantra sound file (below) to hear his directive when you are starting to get weary on the trail.  He is quite the taskmaster.

On the trip back, we took the Bemis Brook Trail, which eventually brings you back to the Arethusa Falls Trail.  It was only an extra half mile, but it was a steep descent and the trail was largely covered with exposed root trees.  If you like that kind of thrill, go for it.  While the view of the Fawn Pool was impressive, I would avoid it next time.


Fat Man's Mantra by Heidi and The Fat Man


The gliede (the guidebook that lies) said it was a "pleasant walk," but I have learned that the authors of these guidebooks are seasoned hikers.  What's easy for them is moderate for the Fat Man and I.  Perhaps when we get stronger and lose more weight, we will be able to climb higher and longer.

Speaking of losing weight, today we decided to take pictures of our bellies as a baseline to track our progress.

My belly baseline

The Fat Man's belly baseline

We hope to share much flatter abdomens in the near future.  My goal is to lose 10-15 pounds.  The Fat Man hopes to drop 10 pounds.  As I am writing this he is eating warm apple crisp with Hagen Daz vanilla bean ice cream.  Truth be told, I ate two large pieces of chocolate from the Bavarian Chocolate Haus in North Conway and am feeling somewhat remorseful.

Heidi's rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ What a majestic waterfall!
The Fat Man's rating: 4 Snickers bars