GEORGIANA FALLS
Lincoln, New Hampshire
| RATING: |
2.5 / 5.0 stars (Good) |
(see below for larger image and additional photographs) |
| STATE: |
New Hampshire |
| COUNTY: |
Grafton County |
| TOWN: |
Lincoln |
| PARK: |
To be determined |
| PRIVATE PROPERTY: |
To be determined |
| TYPE: |
Plunges, cascades, and a fan |
| HEIGHT: |
Georgiana Falls is 30 feet; Harvard Falls is 60 feet |
| WATER SOURCE: |
Harvard Brook |
| WATERSHED SIZE: |
Medium |
| TRAIL LENGTH: |
To Georgiana Falls, 0.7 mile one-way; to Harvard Falls, 1.3 miles one-way |
| TRAIL DIFFICULTY: |
To Georgiana Falls, easy side of moderate; to Harvard Falls, moderate side of difficult |
| HIKING TIME: |
25 minutes to Georgiana Falls one-way; 45 minutes to Harvard Falls one-way |
| ALTITUDE GAIN: |
+250 feet to Georgiana Falls; +750 feet to Harvard Falls |
| WHEN TO VISIT: |
May to October |
| SWIMMING: |
Poor |
| DELORME ATLAS: |
Page 43, H-11 (the falls are actually marked on the NH atlas/map) |
| HANDICAP ACCESS: |
No |
| DOGS ALLOWED: |
Yes |
| COST TO VISIT: |
Free (as of 2016) |
| LENS TO BRING: |
Standard (35-70mm) |
| ALTERNATE NAMES: |
None noted |
| GPS COORDINATES: |
To be determined |
| INCLUDED IN BOOK?: |
Yes, the falls are included as a full chapter within the guidebook |
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THE FALLS
Many visitors to Georgiana Falls only reach the lower half of this waterfall. They are simply unaware of the quiet isolation provided by the set of falls lying upstream. This is not surprising at all, considering how much rougher and poorly-marked the trail beyond the Lower Falls is.
The lower falls consists of a 30-foot high set of cascades spread across a 20-foot wide ledge. At the base of this waterfall is a deep, dark pool. At the falls is a very spacious ledge for sunbathing and picnicking. Although this waterfall is regularly visited, you can still find a spot to claim as your own at this highly photogenic, delightful spot.
Upper Georgiana Falls, which has been referred to as Harvard Falls in the past, has a different personality than the Lower Falls. Here Harvard Brook splits in two and plunges over sixty feet to into long chasm below. The plunge on the right is particularly fascinating; the plunge actually fans out then reverse fans back in before landing, somewhat resembling the shape of a diamond. The plunge on the left is rather difficult to see from the trail, and we could not find a reasonably safe approach to the bottom of the gorge. It is worth noting that view the falls head-on from a cliff on the trail can be thrilling and dangerous, so watch your footing. You can also continue bushwhacking to the top of these falls for an additional perspective.
TRAIL INFORMATION
DIRECTIONS
UPDATES SINCE THE 2ND EDITION
NONE NOTED.
If you know of any updates to this waterfall, or notice any errors either on this website and/or within the New England Waterfalls guidebook, please send me an email at: gparsons66@hotmail.com
Updates to all of the waterfalls in the latest edition of the New England Waterfalls guidebook can always be found here: book updates
SPECIAL NOTES
Georgiana Falls, New Hampshire
Georgiana Falls, New Hampshire
INTERESTED IN VISITING MORE WATERFALLS IN NEW ENGLAND?
TIPS FOR VISITING WATERFALLS & SWIMMING HOLES
Here are some tips to help ensure that your trip to New England's waterfalls and swimming holes will be a safe and enjoyable one:
- DON'T FORGET THE ESSENTIALS - When you visit waterfalls, you should consider bringing all of the following: (a) bug spray; (b) food/snacks; (c) water/sports drinks; (d) camera/smart-phone; (e) guidebook/trail map; (f) daypack/backpack; and (g) hiking shoes, hiking boots or watershoes. A full day hiking packing list can be found here.
- CONSIDER BUYING WATER SHOES - You won't see too many people using them, but watershoes are fantastic pieces of equipment that can make your trip to waterfalls and swimming holes safer and more enjoyable. Merrill and Keen make some fantastic watershoes (here are some great ones from Merrill: womens / mens).
- LEAVE NO TRACE - When you visit waterfalls and swimming holes, you'll often see some trash and sometimes you'll even find clothing left behind by others. It's really, really sad, and it irks the heck out of us. Won't you consider carrying out some of trash and clothing left by others when you leave? That would leave the spot more beautiful for the next person. Bring a trash bag and be a hero!
- PRIVATE PROPERTY - Many waterfalls and swimming holes are located on private property and so we are truly fortunate that many landowners allow us to enjoy them. If you want to ensure that they stay open to the public, please do your best to leave no trace. If you see a sign that says 'Private Property', turn around and find another waterfall to visit or a different place to swim.
- BRING A DSLR CAMERA AND TRIPOD WITH YOU - If you want to take high-quality photographs of waterfalls, your smart-phone just won't cut it. Get a DSLR camera, a tripod, and learn to master the art of waterfall photography.
- SCOUT FIRST, SWIM SECOND - Never enter a swimming hole without first scouting it, even if you see somebody else swimming in it. Stop and access the risks based upon the depth of water, the power of the current, evidence of slippery rocks, and other safety factors.
- CLIFF JUMPING - Cliff jumping is dangerous. Like, seriously dangerous. Understand the risks before you partake in this activity. Many have died from doing this in New England.
- PLEASE DON'T BUILD ROCK CAIRNS - Please do not build new rock cairns at waterfalls or swimming holes. Cairns are a strong reminder of human presence, and don't we all want to see waterfalls in their natural state and glory? Photographers get particularly annoyed at seeing cairns, so please resist the urge to build them.
- DON'T RELY ON YOUR GPS TO GET YOU TO THE TRAILHEAD - Waterfalls don't have addresses, so relying on your GPS to get you to a trailhead is great way to get yourself lost. You need a guidebook, a road atlas, and/or a hiking map to visit the vast majority of waterfalls in New England. Also keep in mind that waterfalls are often located in wild areas, where smart-phone map apps and car GPS units may not work at all.
- WATERFALLS IN SPRING - The best time to visit waterfalls is generally in the spring during the annual snowmelt (which is April to June). However, most waterfalls will often look great for several days after a significant rain storm.
- HELP KEEP THE ULTRA-SECRET SWIMMING HOLES A SECRET (FOREVER) - If you find some ultra-secret swimming holes, please do your best to keep them a secret. Do not post their locations online or wildly share directions or photos with others. All of the swimming holes that are included in the guidebook and online through this website are the well-known swimming spots. There are many more holes that are much further off the beaten path, but they deserve a chance to stay wild and pristine.
- DON'T SCRAMBLE UP WATERFALLS - So many people been seriously injured and killed in the waterfalls of New England. Many of these folks got too close to a waterfall and slipped and fell. Don't become a statistic: stay far back from the edge.
- WEAR TRACTION IF YOU VISIT WATERFALLS IN WINTER - Visiting waterfalls in winter can be rewarding, but there is often a higher element of danger. You may need crampons, snowshoes, and/or some other form of traction (like Microspikes) in order to safely hike to waterfalls in winter.
- SUPPORT NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS THAT CONSERVE WATERFALLS & SWIMMING HOLES - There are some organizations in New England that work diligently to conserve and maintain waterfalls and swimming holes. Please consider supporting these organizations, either with their trail maintenance projects or with monetary donations. Here are three excellent organizations engaged in this extremely important mission: the Trustees of Reservations, the Vermont River Conservancy and the Nature Conservancy.
HELPFUL LINKS
Here are some helpful links to help you explore and enjoy more waterfalls and hikes throughout New England:
- Waterfalls of Connecticut = link
- Waterfalls of Maine = link
- Waterfalls of Massachusetts = link
- Waterfalls of New Hampshire = link
- Waterfalls of Rhode Island = link
- Waterfalls of Vermont = link
- Best Waterfalls in New England = link
- Best Swimming Holes in New England = link
- Top 25 Day Hikes in New England = link
- Top 25 Family-Friendly Day Hikes in New England = link
- Waterfalls Near Boston, Massachusetts = link
- Waterfalls Near Lincoln, New Hampshire = link
- Waterfalls Near North Conway, New Hampshire = link
- Waterfalls Near Stowe, Vermont = link
- Waterfall Photography Tips = link
OTHER WATERFALL GUIDEBOOKS
In addition to the New England Waterfalls guidebook, there are several other guidebooks that can help you find waterfalls and swimming holes:
- Vermont Waterfalls (1st Edition: 2015) = link
- Hiking Waterfalls in New England: A Guide to the Region's Best Waterfall Hikes (1st Edition: 2015) = link
- Waterfalls of the White Mountains: 30 Hikes to 100 Waterfalls (2nd Edition: 1999) = link
- Connecticut Waterfalls (1st Edition: 2014) = link
- Rodrick's Guide to Vermont Waterfalls, Cascades & Gorges (1st Edition: 2014) = link
ASK A QUESTION / LEAVE A COMMENT / PROVIDE AN UPDATE:
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