I’d spied some rocks high on Mount Willard above the old Maine Central trestle at Willey Brook.

Conway Scenic’s Lisa King offered to bring me on a hike to those rocks for a commanding view of New Hampshire’s famous Crawford Notch.

“We’ll start at Crawfords Station. It takes about an hour!”

So last Saturday, we departed North Conway about an hour ahead of the Notch Train, and drove to Crawfords, where I was surprised to find about 100 cars parked along the road.

I was astounded to ‘discover’ that one of New Hampshire’s most impressive views attracts hundreds of hikers on bright warm weekend mornings!

We walked up through the forests, fording streams, avoiding bugs, dodging potential encounters with bears (we didn’t see any, but I’ll bet some saw us, since, earlier in the week, I’d spotted a bear cub on the line).

At the top, Lisa brought me a great view looking down the valley, and down onto the famous Willey Brook bridge.

I’m saving the bridge photos for a rainy day.

Next Saturday, June 29, 2019, Conway Scenic has scheduled a special Notch Train to be led by its steam locomotive 7470. This will depart Conway at 9am and run over the Notch and beyond to Hazen’s Crossing near the White Mountains Regional Airport for an event called Trains, Planes and Automobiles.

(I’m told tickets are still available, but get yours soon!)

Call: 603-356-5251 or check Conway Scenic’s website:

https://www.conwayscenic.com/notch-train/

Look under ‘Notch Train’ and click on June 29.

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