Redrock Brook, Franconia Brook Trail – At the Redrock Brook crossing (above), along today’s Franconia Brook Trail in the Pemigewasset Wilderness, remnants of a bridge from the East Branch & Lincoln Railroad (1893-1948) remained for many years. Active during the early 1900s, this branch of the railroad began at trestle No. 7 and ended at logging Camp 13. A few old books reveal that the origin of the name “Redrock” derives from the red feldspar rock that is in the area.
In August 2011, Tropical Storm Irene caused extensive damage along the brooks, rivers and trails in the Pemigewasset Wilderness. Unfortunately, this interesting stonework of the logging railroad era could not withstand the raging water. Most of the stone abutment was washed away during the storm.
Pictured above is how the bridge abutment looked in 2013. Nature is slowly reclaiming the East Branch & Lincoln Railroad territory, and by the 22nd century, there will likely be little evidence that a railroad was ever in the Pemigewasset Wilderness.
From the late 1800s to the early 1920s, today’s Franconia Brook, on the eastern side of Owl’s Head, was called Redrock (or Red Rock) Brook, and the brook on the western side of Owl’s Head was called Franconia Brook (or Franconia Branch). In the early 1920s, probably between 1920 and 1924, the names of the brooks were changed to the names we know today. Redrock Brook became Franconia Brook, Franconia Brook became Lincoln Brook, and the brook draining out of today’s Redrock Ravine became Redrock Brook.
Located just beyond the Redrock Brook crossing was the start of the Redrock Ravine spur line. This spur line traveled into Redrock Ravine and ended in the area of logging Camp 14. Today, hikers use the abandoned spur line, seen above in 2009, as a starting point to ascend the trail-less Southwest Twin Mountain; it is also used to access the remote Bear Pond.
More reading:
East Branch & Lincoln Railroad Book
Camp 9 Spur Line, Franconia Brook Trail
Trestle No.7, Lincoln Woods Trail
Happy image making..
© Erin Paul Donovan. All rights reserved | Historic Information Disclaimer | White Mountains History
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Owner of ScenicNH Photography LLC
Erin Paul is a professional photographer, writer, and author who specializes in environmental conservation and historic preservation photography mainly in the New Hampshire White Mountains. His work is published worldwide, and publication credits include: Appalachian Mountain Club, Appalachian Trail Conservancy, Backpacker Magazine, and The Wilderness Society.
ScenicNH Photography LLC
Specializing in environmental conservation and historic preservation photography mainly in the White Mountains region of New Hampshire, Erin Paul’s photography and writing focuses on the history of the White Mountains, and telling the story of abandoned places and forgotten historical sites.