Of the several entrances to the White Mountains, none is more majestic
than the Franconia Gateway. The gateway begins in the valley of the
Pemigewasset River and reaches through broad meadows, between jagged
mountains, alongside quiet pools and cascades of sparkling water, into
the wilderness of Franconia Notch and beyond. Altogether, this region
contains more historical secrets and hidden treasures than any other
part of the White Mountains.
The Franconia Gateway opens the way from a new perspective. With nearly
one hundred fifty breathtaking views and fascinating stories, this
history and guide leads from lore of the Native Americans, explorers,
and early entrepreneurs to the logging boom years and the subsequent
preservation era on to the days of the artists and poets and,
ultimately, the tourists. The journey progresses through the communities
of Plymouth, Campton, Thornton, Waterville Valley, Woodstock, and
Franconia, and includes all the wonder and mystery of sites such as the
Lost River, the Flume, and the Old Man of the Mountain.