Enjoying Fall Colors on The Kancamagus Highway
I had the pleasure of reading a travel story by Elijah Aikens, who wrote he was returning to Oregon from New Hampshire with a stop in Utah. If you’ve not read his travel blogs, make a point of visiting his page. His stories are packed with tips about preparing for the area he’s traveling.
In the comments, I asked if he’d driven along the Kancamagus Highway (Route 112), a 34-mile stretch of road from Conway to Lincoln, New Hampshire. The road is part of the White Mountains National Forest and is one of the most scenic roads in the U.S. in the fall. At its peak, elevation is nearly 3,000 feet.
One of the most visited scenic areas on the Kanc is the hairpin turn on your way up the highway. As you drive up the highway, you’ll find many cars parked along the road. It’s not uncommon to find people sleeping in their cars, rather than pay for a hotel room. I can’t blame anyone for saving a buck.
During our last weekend stay, we decided to drive the Kanc so I could shoot some sunset photos. To say the highway is popular is an understatement. The road was impassible thanks to the traffic, which stalled to the point where I could carry on brief discussions with drivers headed in the opposite direction.
I should have known better. Returning from Littleton, N.H., on I-93S, traffic to the off-ramp was backed up about 30 minutes earlier that day.
So there’s a downside to visiting Lincoln at the peak of foliage season. You could say it’s part of the destination package. Oh, before I forget, make hotel reservations early. Visiting Lincoln can be done in a day, but from where I live, it’s a 2-plus hour drive. Still, if you plan your visit, you’ll enjoy it.
I took most of these photos on a previous trip to the Kanc. My most recent trip was interrupted by a faulty PCV valve, which went haywire around 6 a.m. Long story short, we left early — after a 2-plus hour drive. The best part of that story is we got home safely.
If you haven’t been to the Kanc, I hope you enjoy this virtual trip. Thanks for stopping by!
I accept tips, which go directly to Dining for Hunger, a recognized 501(c)(3) organization that looks to end food insecurity. If you can spare a dollar or two, I’d be grateful.