Above & Bellow The Falls

Have you ever been been torn between photography and a desire to go swimming? I decided to do both.

I am lucky enough to live near Franconia Notch State Park which is one of the biggest and most beautiful state parks in all of New England. My favorite attraction in the park is a collection of rivers and cascades centered around a large pothole known as The Basin.

The Basin, don’t try to swim here because you will probably drown.

Grab Your Camera

I call them disposable cameras but they aren’t really disposable because most photo labs will send the camera back to the manufacturer for reloading. I bought a Fuji Quicksnap Underwater from RiteAid in Plymouth. The Fuji Quicksnap is waterproof to at least 10 feet, has a minimum focusing distance of 5 feet and 27 shots.

From the parking area of The Basin this is one of the first pools you reach. It is gorgeous, deep and incredibly cold. I could easily spend the rest of my life attempting to document just how beautiful the water is here.

I didn’t go in very deep because the water is extremely cold but I'd love to get a better capture of the jade colored area.

This is probably my second favorite small waterfall in the park. I love how it flows down and into a small pothole and then cascades into a pool. You can stand on a bridge and get your shot or you can sneak around under the bridge where I took this photo. I was amazed at how shallow the water is right up to the plunge pool.

The water here is deepish and moves quickly. It was cool to see all the things suspended in the water, especially the bubbles.

This is a small pool near where the river forks. I loved how the sun was glistening on the surface.

I really like the way the light makes patterns on the rocks.

The is the buttom of a very cool natural water slide rock formation.

The pool is very photogenic because it is just long and shallow enough to get good shots with the disposable camera.

Not far from The Basin off of the trail to Lonsome Lake you will find one of my favorite waterfalls in all of New England.

It is tall, beautiful and almost always in shadow. The pool that surrounds it is cool and dark. My favorite shots from this trip are from here.

Things To Know

Get your film developed at oldschoolphotolab.com.They are awesome.
Mind you camera's minimum focusing distance. If things are too close they will appear blurry.
Be very careful, the water is cold and rocks can be slippery.
Buy your underwater disposable cameras online to get the cheapest price.
VisitNH.com has great tourism itineraries for other cool stuff in New Hampshire.
Official webpage for Franconia Notch State Park.