A winter hike is a great way to start the new year. And so we did on January 1.

Ethan McNerney [email protected]

From right to left, East Royce (behind the trees) in Maine and West Royce in New Hampshire. This is the start of the Royce Trail in Evans Notch. You used to be able to camp here, and long before that, there was a CCC camp here. There are remains of a stone fireplace and chimney back in the woods.

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The first river crossing.

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The second river crossing. There were at least two more major crossings.

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A small gorge along the trail.

  Ethan McNerney [email protected]

I have returned to this place a number of times for photographs; I like the way the water flows off the lip of granite like silk.

Ethan McNerney [email protected]

Mad River runs down the exposed granite in many little falls.

Ethan McNerney [email protected]

Ethan McNerney [email protected] Ethan McNerney [email protected]

Up the trail to the actual Mad River Falls.

Ethan McNerney [email protected]

Here it is, but you can barely see it through the trees. It has like three high drops.

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The lowering sun reflects in Mad River.

Ethan McNerney [email protected]

In winter, the road through Evans Notch is not plowed. So access to the trails is by foot.