I come across many stories and blogs when I Google a subject, especially if that subject is a place I want to explore, like a mountain, a brook, or a pond. While reading these blogs, I think how nice it is that these people take the time to write about their trip and openly share it with strangers, in a manner such that other adventure seekers might want to go have the same experience. On the flip side, some might be terrified and therefore are relieved that they were able to live the experience through someone else’s eyes in the safety of their favorite chair. My point is, it makes me think ‘I would like to do that’. My husband and I often spend our days exploring places, ones that are crowded like 4K footer peaks and some that are deep in the woods where there isn’t a path. We pick a place that sounds good, according to the weather. In the middle of the day we may change our minds as we are sliding down a slope or stepping on a yellow jacket’s nest. In the end, with our aching knees, and burning bee stings we both agree it was a good day.
Truth be told, it is my camera that instigates these treks. Although I am a curious sole, it is my camera that opened my eyes and instilled a desire to capture moments and places of this planet we will live on. This is the reason I take photographs, this is the reason I bushwhack deep into the woods and how my blog came to be. I invite you, and welcome you to see where our camera takes the Sherpa, my husband, who carries my tripod, and me, the Klutz, to new places.
Bushwhacking to Ellen’s Falls on Hobbs Brook in Albany, NH. This is on the Kancamagus Hwy between the Blackberry Crossing Campground and Moat View Dr. Parking is limited, but there is some space on the opposite side of the road. It is misting and should be most of the day, which is great weather for photographing waterfalls. The rocks have more colors when wet and the light is better for silky water. The Sherpa is a good sport, he never complains about getting soaked. We scurry up the hill to the left side of the brook and enter the forest. The trees are spread out making it easy to walk and the woods are peaceful due to the wet ground and no wind. A little ways in we see a nice little cascade fanning over a rock that looks like a big clamshell. We note to stop for that on the way back.
Since we don’t know which side of the falls will yield a better picturesque view, we look for places that are easy to cross the brook in case we need to switch sides. The brook was flowing well that day, so there weren’t many places to cross. At one point my husband decided he would cross, it required jumping from rock to rock and it was slippery, since I am carrying the cameras, I opted to remain where I was, did I mention I am a klutz? I took a video of him crossing but by the time it recorded, he was already passed the tricky part and he didn’t get wet.
Video of Sherpa crossing brook
An hour in, we came to the falls. Mind you we were on opposite sides of the brook, and of course his side had the better view. How does the chicken cross the brook? We are now yelling to each other as the water was loudly roaring. I point to above the falls, like Babe Ruth points to a home run, showing him I am going to look for a place to cross up ahead. Just above the falls it is a different world, peaceful and open, like someone raked it. It resembles a camping area of sorts. Lots of flat ground, a fire pit, trails veering in different directions, and luckily a very shallow area of the brook easy to cross.
We strolled around the area a bit and found the logging road which ends at the camping area. This road can be taken from the Kancamagus Hwy, but it does not run beside the brook. For those of you who prefer a trail instead of getting scratched in the eye by bushes, take the logging road, go across the brook and it is a short walk down to see the falls. However to see clamshell rock, you will have to bushwhack from the Kanc.
After crossing the river to the Sherpa’s side, I walked down to see the rest of the falls. The left side allows you to see into the gorge of Ellen’s Flume.
There wasn’t much else to see so we headed down. After capturing Clamshell Rock, we headed out the same way we came in. As we crested the hill overlooking the Kanc, we were treated to a beautiful sight. The vibrant, autumn foliage was being kissed by the floating waves of fog.
If you have any questions, send me an email, shellette@myfairpoint.net or you can message me through FB, Twitter or Instagram. I would also like to hear about your trek to Ellen’s Falls, so let me know.
The places my camera takes me 