WCAX.COM Local Vermont News, Weather and Sports-Vermont Waterfalls

Vermont Waterfalls

Stowe, Vermont - July 16, 2009

Science teacher Chris Hungerford is a difficult man to track down. When he's not in his classroom at BFA High School in St. Albans, he's often trudging through the woods-- a man on a mission-- trying to photograph all of Vermont's 200+ waterfalls.

It's a hobby that started as a trickle, but one that quickly snowballed into something a whole lot bigger.

"The remoteness of this waterfall is special, and believe it or not, this used to be a hydro-electric site and they totally removed it all," Hungerford said of Moss Glen Falls.

"It was like wow, it was wow, worth the short hike in," said Cheryl Belowith of Butler, Pa.

"It's peaceful," agreed Daniel Ritz of Switzerland. "It doesn't come down with a rush. It doesn't hammer down."

Hungerford has spent the last three summers visiting more than 70 of the state's waterfalls and has created a website devoted solely to the subject.

It's there that he displays his photographs.

In addition to the website, he's also entertaining the idea of writing a guide book about his adventures.

"I'm just trying to visit as many as I can," he said. "I don't think it's possible to visit them all because some are so remote I don't think people know where they are."

But those are the exception. Most of Vermont's waterfalls are easily accessed-- no more than a 10 to 15 minute hike from the road.

At Bingham Falls, Hungerford said, "I've never been to this one before and I've heard it's one of the nicest in the state."

It's also among those most photographed. Water tumbles through a narrow gorge, cascading off large boulders and ledges, forming deep pools of emerald green water.

"It's awesome. It lives up to what I've heard," he said. "It's got the gorge and it's got the pool. I can't wait to take pictures of this."

While some can't refrain from totally immersing themselves in these breathtaking beauties, most are content to get up close and personal with a camera.

"It might be the rushing sound, the force and majesty that's there, the majestic feel they give you," Belowith said.

...Feelings that Chris Hungerford hopes to convey through his photographs.

Some of Vermont's most spectacular wonders -- on display for all the world to see.

Click here for a link to check out Chris Hungerford's waterfall website, plus directions to some his favorites-- including a few waterfalls that you probably haven't heard of.

Keagan Harsha - WCAX News

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