Waterfall Hero Hikes: Snyder Brook Waterfalls (Appalachia)

There are four scenic waterfalls on Snyder Brook in Coös County, New Hampshire. The waterfalls are located in the Androscoggin Ranger District in White Mountain National Forest and accessed from Appalachia Trailhead.

Hike Length: 1.4 miles

Estimated Time: 1 to 2 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Location: Appalachia Trailhead (Androscoggin Ranger District in White Mountain National Forest)

Trail Users: Hiking
Dogs: Must be on a leash
Features: Waterfalls (4)
Crowds: High
Warnings: The rocks around the waterfalls are very slippery.
Trailhead GPS: 44.37154,-71.28890
Waterfall GPS: 44.36900,-71.28661 (Gordon Falls), 44.36480, -71.28785 (Lower Salroc Falls), 44.36456,-71.28810 (Upper Salroc Falls), 44.36361,-71.28851 (Tama Falls)

Directions:

From Gorham, head west on US-2 for 5.4 miles past the split with NH-16 and the parking area will be on the left. This is a popular trailhead and fills quickly. Parking is permitted along US-2, but ensure your vehicle is completely off the road.

Map:

Hike Description:

From the kiosk at the trailhead, go a few feet and turn left on the Presidential Rail-Trail. Go about 0.1 miles and turn right on yellow-blazed Fallsway Trail that follows Snyder Creek upstream. At 0.3 miles, Gordon Falls will be just off the trail to the left. It's a nice 15-foot waterfall.

Continue up the trail and shortly you'll reach the intersection with Maple Way. A small unnamed waterfall is on the creek here.

Continuing up Fallsway Trail, you'll reach Lower Salroc Falls at about 0.6 miles. It's a couple small cascades over big rocks and not terribly impressive. Upper Salroc Falls is just barely visible.

It is best to go back to the trail and continue another hundred feet and then scramble back down to the creek at Upper Salroc Falls. It's another 15 foot waterfall and very scenic.

There's a view from the trail as well.

Just past Upper Salroc Falls, the trail intersects with Valley Way and then splits off the left to reach Tama Falls, the highest of the four at about 35 feet.

I had to wade to get an unobstructed view of the falls.

You can go back the way you came or pick up one of several other trails that will head back to the Appalachia Trailhead. The trails can be a bit confusing so a map is recommended.

Here's a video of the falls.