Located
in the White Mountains town of North Woodstock Lost River Reservation
(as it is most properly known) is set high in Kinsman Notch, One
of the area's famous passes. Kinsman Notch lies between Mt. Moosilauke
and Mt. Kinsman, about 2000 feet above sea level. When you explore
Kinsman Notch and Lost River, you’ll discover a land of remarkable
and enduring beauty—a rugged land forged over time by the most
powerful forces on earth.
Approximately 300 million years ago, far beneath
the surface of an ancient sea, mud and sand were heated and shifted,
forming hard rocks such as Kinsman Quartz Monzonite and Pegmatite
Dikes (types of granite). The mountains were being formed even then.
Erosion before the Ice Age carved the Kinsman Notch area to approximately
its present shape. The mile thick ice sheet, which covered all of
New England from about 150,000 years ago until 25,000 years ago,
furthered the erosion process. Turbulent water caused the movement
of massive boulders. Acting like sandpaper, the moving sand and pebbles
in the water smoothed the boulders and along the mountain ridges.
Lost River is so-named because the brook draining
from the south east part of Kinsman Notch disappears below the surface
in the narrow, steep-walled glacial Gorge. The Gorge is partially
filled with immense blocks of granite, through which the brook cascades
along its subterranean course until it eventually emerges and joins
the Pemigewasset River which flows south from Franconia Notch.
The
first documented exploration of Lost River took place in 1852. Similar
to Alice’s tumble down the rabbit hole in Alice in Wonderland,
local historian Elmer E. Woodbury related in his writings how the
Jackman brothers, Royal and Lyman were busily fishing along the stream,
working their way over and around the boulders when suddenly Lyman
disappeared out of site as if the earth had swallowed him up. He
had slipped into a moss covered hole and fallen into a cave about
15 feet below into a pool of water about waist deep. Now known as
Shadow Cave, it was the first of the many caves the boys would soon
discover.
The interest in visiting Lost River was started!
With its rough boardwalks and lantern lit caves, thousands of people
would come each year to admire the beauty of Lost River Gorge and
challenge the tight ins and outs of the majestic boulder caves.
In the early 1900’s as the logging increased in the area and
threatened the beauty of Lost River Gorge and the surrounding area,
there was a need to protect this natural wonder. A newly formed,
private non-profit conservation organization – The Society
for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests recognized that need
and purchased Lost River in 1912. Still owned by the Forest Society
today, and now leased and operated by the White
Mountains Attractions Association, the two work closely together to provide guests the
opportunity to experience the fun, challenge and excitement much
as the Jackman Brothers did over 150 years ago when they discovered
Lost River. Still lit by lanterns, with boardwalks and stairs have
been improved to provide the maximum amount of safety and enjoyment
for our guests, Lost River welcomes thousands of visitors each year
from all over the world.
