Name of Waterfall

Pitcher Falls

Description

Pitcher Falls is one of many "forgotten" waterfalls in the White Mountains which was at one time much more renowned but has long since fallen into obscurity due to lack of developed access. The falls occur along the headwaters of the South Fork of the Hancock Branch of the Pemigewasset River, just west of Kancamagus Pass. The falls consist of a long waterslide type cascade which drops approximately 50 vertical feet in about 100 feet of run, terminating in a large pool (we seem to have misplaced our actual height measurements taken in October 2015).
The basin upstream of Pitcher Falls covers an area of about one square mile, and features no standing water but does have several small areas of marsh which help to regulate runoff into the South Fork. When surveyed in October 2015 the volume of the stream was low, but consistent, which suggests that even during the driest months of the year the falls should remain visibly significant against the broad becrock slab - though considerably reduced from its peak form during the spring freshet, or following prolonged rainfall following a Nor'easter or the remnants of a passing tropical storm.
There is no developed access to this waterfall, and though not exceedingly difficult to get to, the bushwhack in is slow and not entirely pleasant thanks to the thick Hemlock forest.

Other Names

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Magnitude

5.01

IWC Rating (International Waterfall Classification)

0.11

Total Height (ft)

50

Tallest Drop

50

Number of Drops

1

Average Width

5

Maximum Width

15

Average High Volume (Cubic ft per second)

10 cfs (7 months)

Average Low Volume (Cubic ft per second)

1 cfs (5 months)

Pitch

45 degrees

Run (ft)

100

Watershed or Feeder Stream

South Fork Hancock Branch