Three waterfalls are worthy of attention in Pinkham Notch: Glen Ellis Falls, and Crystal Cascade, both drops of the Ellis River, and Thompson Falls, a scarcely visited sequence of cascades on Thompson Brook, a mountain stream that flows down the west side of the “A Peak” of Wildcat Mountain. The lowest cascade of Thompson Falls crashes over an overhanging rock ledge that takes on the shape of a gigantic clam. The clam is roughly 30 feet wide, but water only flows over a portion of that. Below, the waters churn slowly around in an inviting, although very chilly, swimming pool. With some careful footing and a willingness to get wet, it is certainly possible to find a position behind the falling water on the rocks below the overhanging clam-shaped ledge. Additional cascades can be found upstream, but they lack the bold personality of the lower cascade. There is one waterfall above the main attraction that is worth your while. This 20-foot plunge splashes into a deep and very dark pool below and will certainly make the additional hike all the more gratifying. The gorge surrounding this plunge is stunning but it does prevent the necessary lighting for optimal photographs for most of the day. The upper falls and cascades do offer the advanced possibility of exploring in solitude. However, you are likely to enjoy all of the falls at Thompson Falls entirely to yourself, as waterfall lovers are often caught focusing on the other waterfalls in Pinkham Notch. To add to the experience be sure to hike the remainder of “The Wildcat Way” as you stroll back to the parking area. There are some beautiful and rare lady slippers and the smell of cedar along the walk that enhance your experience all the more.

From the Wildcat Ski area parking lot, walk behind the lodge and cross over a brook on one of several bridges. Take a left after the bridge, following along the nature trail that runs parallel to the brook. There is a sign for “The Wildcat Way” marking this trail. Shortly after this sign, you will enter the woods and come to several signs letting you know you are on the “Thompson Falls Trail”, which hikes along a portion of The Wildcat Way loop trail. After walking approximately halfway around the loop, take a left at a sign pointing towards “Thompson Falls”. Follow this new path and you will soon reach a dirt road. Walk across the road and continue along the trail for another 0.2 mile to the lower falls. If you continue climbing on the yellow-blazed trail, you will pass a large pool. And eventually reach the middle and upper series of falls above. You know you will have reached the final waterfall when you see the carved wooden sign stating “End of Trail.”

Directions for this particular waterfall are not posted online. Please see directions in our published guidebook, New England Waterfalls: A Guide to More Than 400 Cascades And Waterfalls, or you can email us and we will happily provide them to you.

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