Whittier Falls

From Moultonborough, drive north on Route 109 for six-tenths of a mile, then turn right (east) onto Route 109. Follow Route 109 for 2.6 miles, then bear left onto Ossippee Park Road. Continue for another 1.3 miles to the first of two large parking areas at the broad grass fields in Ossipee Park and park where space is available (the second is closer to Castle in the Clouds). Consult the trail maps and cross the fields toward Shannon Pond, then find the Shannon Brook trail and begin hiking downstream. Whittier Falls is located a little over one-third of a mile downstream from the parking area.Whittier Falls is the third of the seven named waterfalls found along Shannon Brook within the Castle in the Clouds Conservation Area. The falls drop in two steps just 8 feet total, the upper tier about 5 feet and the lower another 3 feet. The trail passes the falls well above the creek, so it appears less significant than it already is when seen from the fenced viewpoint, however it is easily possible to walk down to its base for a more flattering view. Unlike its neighboring waterfalls - Roaring, Twin, and Emerald Pool - Whittier Falls does at least take on a more respectible shape that would traditionally be considered waterfall-like. However, like the other five "upper" waterfalls along Shannon Brook which are found upstream of Bridal Veil Falls, Whittier Falls is not a significant feature and were it not historically named it would not meet the qualifications to be included in this database. Shannon Brook drains from a basin on the south and east flanks of Mount Roberts and Faraway Mountain, covering an area of about 2 square miles. Other than Shannon Pond there does not appear to be any permanent standing water feeding the stream, and while it does retain a modest flow for the summer, the streamflow should be expected to drop off considerably in periods of drought.