Scenic Drive to Explore Tamworth New Hampshire
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12How many roads qualify as scenic drives?
In my book, there are INFINITE numbers of roads that qualify as scenic drives in New England. Most of you are only considering those few roads that are a continuous roller coaster of fall colors. I consider all the “other” roads, streets, and thoroughfares that crisscross New England as scenic drives also.
Sometimes the views are tangled up with people’s backyards or power lines in the way. But! if you persevere you will find the gems hidden in the rough. Well, today I’m going to continue to explore Tamworth NH (FYI, the image above is not NH but Vermont) and we’ll see if you agree that this scenic drive is another one of several…
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ExploringTamworth
First, if you started out on 113 and are over at the Cenotaph (see my last article) then please turn around and go back to Route 16. Across Route 16 at the intersection of 113, you will see the post office. I usually park there and IF… it’s early in the morning you won’t get yelled at before they are open (9 AM, also don’t park next to the building but further away).
Historic wooden dam
So leave the Post Office, and cross over to the park and the small pond and you will see steps down to a small park below. Also, you will hear a low rumbling. You see, Lake Chocorua feeds into this pond which then flows over the lip of the A-Frame dam at the edge of the park causing the… “thrumming” noise.
This Dam was built by Charles Bowditch of Boston in 1889, (I wonder if he was a son/grandson of Salem’s famous Nathaniel Bowditch???).
The Dam was almost lost but for the perseverance of interested local residents. Last year I stopped when I was driving by on my way to Lake Chocorua. I was shocked by all the changes and if you need to stop and stretch your legs, this is a great place to do it.
So down the steps, you go and explore. There is a small island in the stream that has a wooden bridge that is very scenic and another walking bridge closer to the dam so you can explore both sides of the bank.
If you are careful you can climb up on the rock wall and photograph the fall foliage reflections on the surface of the pond. It was hit or miss as far as the sun was concerned this day. and to me, the reflections of the fall foliage colors and houses are just fine when it’s slightly overcast.
I spent a while on the rock wall trying to catch a red maple leaf flowing over the edge of the dam. It took me a while but I did get one.
Is this the most scenic place all day? not really but if you spend a little time here you will sharpen your composition skills because the rest of the articles in this area are mostly big mountain vistas. Plus sitting on a bench here is very relaxing.
From here you jump back in the car and you will pick up your next portion of the scenic drive on Route 113 but don’t go to far because we’re going to make a… But that portion of this scenic drive will have to wait for the next installment… 🙂
If you want to read about the historic wooden dam follow this link or visit their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/chocoruapark
Does Fowler’s Mill Road have a mill?
I never did find a mill on Fowler’s Mill Road. After taking my leave of the Pond on Route 16 I headed West on Route 113. This actually brings you into the town of Tamworth and this is also worth a stop as well but we will do that another day. You start on Route 16 today and end on Route 16 but you will find yourself further up on Chocorua Lake which is about 1.5 miles up Route 16. More about that later.
We are going to stop where Route 113 is still close to the Chocorua River. I photographed this area on 14 October 2015 and the area was well saturated as far as the New Hampshire fall colors went. From this area to North Conway the fall colors usually don’t get good till after the 7th of Oct.
Ok, you cross Route 16 on Route 113. 113 makes a hard right and will for a while follow the Chocorua River where it widens. I found a spot between homes that was brush and brambles and I don’t think I would be on someone’s property. That is where this image can be made.
Here is where you will turn North (a right) on Route 113A. IF… you go straight through this big intersection, the road will take you into the town of Tamworth. This route is covered in several other articles like this article on the Hidden Cenotaph in plain sight…
I stayed on Route 113A till I saw a sign for Fowler’s Mill Road. So far 113A has been nice but nothing to really stop the car for, so when I saw this sign and since I was looking for a photographic opportunity, I made the right. The road was a dirt road and a little rough. Not so rough that I worried about it but I did slow down so I didn’t drop into any holes.
Tantalizing glimpses of Mount Chocorua
I was traveling along Fowler’s Mill Road and every once in a while I would see a glimpse of Mount Chocorua or the surrounding hills. It never really seemed to open enough but I kept hoping a sweeping vista would present itself. I came out into a cleared area along Fowler’s Mill Road and I’m betting as you read this they may be starting to build homes in that area. (I hope not)
My left was all trees and no views presented themselves but then I looked in the rearview mirror. I hit the brakes and pulled to the side of the road. There was a very nice view of Mount Chocorua. I snapped a few shots here and continued on only to hit the brakes again.
After this, the trees closed in again but still a nice drive. Several homes can be seen hidden in the trees and shortly I came to a turn-off. I continued straight which I find now is Chocorua Lake Road. If you have ever wondered where the road the parts Lake Chocorua and Little Pond (you might remember the wooden bridge)…
So this will take you down the hill (and past more homes) till you arrive at the other side of that wonderful wooden bridge.
This will give you an idea of what a single day looks like for me and this didn’t include Eaton or Center Sandwich… Today’s article only covers the area around Tamworth. I’ve got many more spots in this area to tell you about.
Safe foliage travels my friends
Jeff Foliage Folger
Autumn is a state of mind more than a time of year – Jeff Foliage
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Simply beautiful, we are planning a driving trip Oct. 2017, not sure where to begin, should we fly into Boston and do a loop? we live in California and don’t get fall colors so looking forward to it . do you have any ideas of the best route to see the most in a 10 day drive?
Merilee
1birdiegirl@gmail.com
Hi Merilee, it somewhat depends on your dates if you have already bought tickets. Here are some pages to hit. The first is simply page that I have written about that make nice drives. Then you can hit my foliage by state page and click on those states that you plan to visit.
https://jeff-foliage.com/foliage-articles/scenic-drives/
https://jeff-foliage.com/foliage-articles/locations-state/
That should get you started…
Simply beautiful, we are planning a driving trip Oct. 2017, not sure where to begin, should we fly into Boston and do a loop? we live in California and don’t get fall colors so looking forward to it . do you have any ideas of the best route to see the most in a 10 day drive?
Merilee
1birdiegirl@gmail.com
Hi Merilee, it somewhat depends on your dates if you have already bought tickets. Here are some pages to hit. The first is simply page that I have written about that make nice drives. Then you can hit my foliage by state page and click on those states that you plan to visit.
https://jeff-foliage.com/foliage-articles/scenic-drives/
https://jeff-foliage.com/foliage-articles/locations-state/
That should get you started…
I have a question along the same line, Jeff. I had asked you about the fall leaves this year since we have our plane tickets booked for Sept 25 – Oct 4, arriving in Portland, Maine (we live in Oregon). You had mentioned going into northern Maine, then New Hampshire, then Vermont (then we have to go to Boston to see some friends), then back to Maine to fly back home. I was wondering how we plan a route for that??? We know we need to start booking our lodging right now but we don’t have a clue as to what our route should be! Can you help?? It’s hard to judge how much to drive & see each day! Thanks!
Hi Valri, Route 2 is a good route to get across NH In and of itself you might skip it BUT! on either side of route 2 are tons of sights to see. Jefferson and Gorham are ok towns and Gorham is larger with an old (failed) paper mill there but it does have a great train exhibit that you can get out and explore Read about some Route 2 stops here. https://jeff-foliage.com/2016/02/new-hampshires-route-16-scenic-drive/
and here https://jeff-foliage.com/2014/06/nh-scenic-drive-autumn/ and here is a listing of scenic drives on my site: https://jeff-foliage.com/foliage-articles/scenic-drives/
Distance… Absolutley no more than 300 miles in a day and preferably 125… If your distances require 300 miles every day then you are missing the concept of “vacation” and this is meant to be a relaxing vacation… At least it’s supposed to be. I will do more because I’m trying to locate where the fall colors are and get those into my blog. For you I want you to travel at 25 mph and really enjoy yourself…
I will say that with your dates being this early you may be able to wing the reservations but if you like luxury (are very picky on where you stay) then yes you should make reservations.
The problem with Maine is that there are few east/west roads and you will travel north and south zig-zagging across the state. At least on big roads and instead of that I usually have Lisa my wife and navigator get out the Gazetteers for each state and steer me to my destination. GPS’s are ok but cell service is not always perfect up in Maine, Northern NH or VT and your phone’s GPS needs cell service to work. If you have a “real” GPS then you are safer. But a big map to choose your route is much easier and more fun. for 25 Sept to 1 Oct I would leave Portland on 95 and go to Fairfield heading N by NW towards Greenfield and Moosehead lake. This article will talk about Moosehead and the vicinity, http://www.4cornersnewengland.com/2014/10/dollars-donuts-northern-maine/
Now the problem with going up that far is that you have to come back down 201 until you can cross over on to 16 and onto 27 and head west onto 16 which will take you to Rangeley. Very nice Inns in Rangeley lake and very nice scenery also. I would leave Rangeley on Route 16 and come down to Errol and if the colors haven’t really developed to your satisfaction then catch 26 to Dixville Notch (First place in the Nation to cast its ballots) Then I would hit colebrook heading south on route 3 OR… cut time and out of Errol head south on 16. Re-read the scenic NH drive article because you should stop in Milan and there is a quaint little B&B (The Stark Covered Inn B&B) in Stark NH on Route 110 ($59/night) NOT a 5 star but I like quirky places.
The problem for me to figure out is I don’t know you… Do you drive fast or slow, do you like to stop and hike… All of these things play into where to go and stay. Most decent sized towns will have availability during Monday-Thursday so you should be able to wing it but on Fri-Sun I would try to figure out where I want to put my head down for a night or two…
I really like it when folks pick a few spots and yous these few places as base of operations and each morning they head out in a different direction to explore and then move on…
I know this may not be the most helpful but I am trying… My wife says I’m VERY trying…
I have a question along the same line, Jeff. I had asked you about the fall leaves this year since we have our plane tickets booked for Sept 25 – Oct 4, arriving in Portland, Maine (we live in Oregon). You had mentioned going into northern Maine, then New Hampshire, then Vermont (then we have to go to Boston to see some friends), then back to Maine to fly back home. I was wondering how we plan a route for that??? We know we need to start booking our lodging right now but we don’t have a clue as to what our route should be! Can you help?? It’s hard to judge how much to drive & see each day! Thanks!
Hi Valri, Route 2 is a good route to get across NH In and of itself you might skip it BUT! on either side of route 2 are tons of sights to see. Jefferson and Gorham are ok towns and Gorham is larger with an old (failed) paper mill there but it does have a great train exhibit that you can get out and explore Read about some Route 2 stops here. https://jeff-foliage.com/2016/02/new-hampshires-route-16-scenic-drive/
and here https://jeff-foliage.com/2014/06/nh-scenic-drive-autumn/ and here is a listing of scenic drives on my site: https://jeff-foliage.com/foliage-articles/scenic-drives/
Distance… Absolutley no more than 300 miles in a day and preferably 125… If your distances require 300 miles every day then you are missing the concept of “vacation” and this is meant to be a relaxing vacation… At least it’s supposed to be. I will do more because I’m trying to locate where the fall colors are and get those into my blog. For you I want you to travel at 25 mph and really enjoy yourself…
I will say that with your dates being this early you may be able to wing the reservations but if you like luxury (are very picky on where you stay) then yes you should make reservations.
The problem with Maine is that there are few east/west roads and you will travel north and south zig-zagging across the state. At least on big roads and instead of that I usually have Lisa my wife and navigator get out the Gazetteers for each state and steer me to my destination. GPS’s are ok but cell service is not always perfect up in Maine, Northern NH or VT and your phone’s GPS needs cell service to work. If you have a “real” GPS then you are safer. But a big map to choose your route is much easier and more fun. for 25 Sept to 1 Oct I would leave Portland on 95 and go to Fairfield heading N by NW towards Greenfield and Moosehead lake. This article will talk about Moosehead and the vicinity, http://www.4cornersnewengland.com/2014/10/dollars-donuts-northern-maine/
Now the problem with going up that far is that you have to come back down 201 until you can cross over on to 16 and onto 27 and head west onto 16 which will take you to Rangeley. Very nice Inns in Rangeley lake and very nice scenery also. I would leave Rangeley on Route 16 and come down to Errol and if the colors haven’t really developed to your satisfaction then catch 26 to Dixville Notch (First place in the Nation to cast its ballots) Then I would hit colebrook heading south on route 3 OR… cut time and out of Errol head south on 16. Re-read the scenic NH drive article because you should stop in Milan and there is a quaint little B&B (The Stark Covered Inn B&B) in Stark NH on Route 110 ($59/night) NOT a 5 star but I like quirky places.
The problem for me to figure out is I don’t know you… Do you drive fast or slow, do you like to stop and hike… All of these things play into where to go and stay. Most decent sized towns will have availability during Monday-Thursday so you should be able to wing it but on Fri-Sun I would try to figure out where I want to put my head down for a night or two…
I really like it when folks pick a few spots and yous these few places as base of operations and each morning they head out in a different direction to explore and then move on…
I know this may not be the most helpful but I am trying… My wife says I’m VERY trying…
Jeff, my husband and I have been looking at different routes for our trip this fall. Is Highway 2 a good route to take?
Jeff, my husband and I have been looking at different routes for our trip this fall. Is Highway 2 a good route to take?
Jeff, I’m sorry I haven’t replied to this! THANK YOU SO, SO much! This has been immensely helpful as we’ve been planning our trip. Thank you for all the time you put into it!
Jeff, I’m sorry I haven’t replied to this! THANK YOU SO, SO much! This has been immensely helpful as we’ve been planning our trip. Thank you for all the time you put into it!