Shell Cascade — Waterfalls 49.4 Miles SW of Chapman Inn
Grafton County, New Hampshire · USGS Waterville Valley Quadrangle · GNIS 872649
49.4 miles southwest of Chapman Inn, on the USGS Waterville Valley topographic quadrangle, Shell Cascade is a waterfall recorded in Grafton County, New Hampshire by the federal Geographic Names Information System.
Landmark Profile
Classification & USGS reference
The USGS Waterville Valley 7.5-minute topographic quadrangle places Shell Cascade in Grafton County, New Hampshire (FIPS 33/009), classified as a waterfall in the federal GNIS (Feature ID 872649). Catalogued in GNIS since 08/27/1980.
Coordinates & physical setting
Shell Cascade sits at 43.92979° N, 71.53480° W (DMS 43°55′47″ N, 71°32′05″ W).
As a linear feature its source lies near 0.00000° N, 0.00000° W — useful for anglers and paddlers tracing the upstream end.
Other waterfalls in Grafton County, New Hampshire
Grafton County, NH contains 12 waterfalls catalogued in the USGS Geographic Names Information System, counting Shell Cascade itself. The ones closest to Shell Cascade:
| Feature | USGS Quadrangle | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Fletcher Cascades | Mount Tripyramid | 2.3 mi |
| Norway Rapids | Mount Tripyramid | 3.6 mi |
| Sabbaday Falls | Mount Tripyramid | 8.2 mi |
| Franconia Falls | Mount Osceola | 12.3 mi |
| Nancy Cascades | Mount Carrigain | 15.1 mi |
| Thirteen Falls | South Twin Mountain | 16.5 mi |
| Thoreau Falls | Crawford Notch | 16.7 mi |
| Arethusa Falls | Crawford Notch | 16.8 mi |
| Bridalveil Falls | Franconia | 18.5 mi |
| Hawthorne Falls | South Twin Mountain | 18.6 mi |
Features on the USGS Waterville Valley Quadrangle
The Waterville Valley 7.5-minute topographic quadrangle holds 19 catalogued natural features alongside Shell Cascade. A sampling nearest to this location:
| Feature | Type | County | Offset |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hardy Brook | Streams | Grafton County, NH | 0.2 mi |
| Dry Brook | Streams | Grafton County, NH | 0.8 mi |
| Jennings Peak | Summits | Grafton County, NH | 1.8 mi |
| Snows Brook | Streams | Grafton County, NH | 1.8 mi |
| Drakes Brook | Streams | Grafton County, NH | 1.8 mi |
| Noon Peak | Summits | Grafton County, NH | 1.8 mi |
| Green Mountain | Summits | Grafton County, NH | 1.9 mi |
| West Branch Mad River | Streams | Grafton County, NH | 2.1 mi |
| Mount Tecumseh | Summits | Grafton County, NH | 2.8 mi |
| Tecumseh Brook | Streams | Grafton County, NH | 2.8 mi |
Visiting from Chapman Inn
Distance, bearing & drive time
Chapman Inn sits 49.4 miles southwest (bearing SW) of Shell Cascade. At moderate back-road speeds the drive runs about 85 minutes — comfortably inside a half-day outing window after breakfast.
Best time to visit
Peak flow runs mid-April through June after snowmelt; late summer can be thin or dry. At this latitude (43.930°), the shoulder seasons are workable — April and November can be comfortable on mild years. At 49.4 miles from the Inn, block the full day — sunrise start, late return, packed meals. Conditions at Shell Cascade track the nearby Hardy Brook stream (0.2 mi away) closely — if that is runnable, so is this.
Nearest features to Shell Cascade
| Feature | Type | County | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hardy Brook | Streams | Grafton County, NH | 0.2 mi |
| Dry Brook | Streams | Grafton County, NH | 0.8 mi |
| Jennings Peak | Summits | Grafton County, NH | 1.8 mi |
| Snows Brook | Streams | Grafton County, NH | 1.8 mi |
| Drakes Brook | Streams | Grafton County, NH | 1.8 mi |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Shell Cascade located?
Shell Cascade is in Grafton County, New Hampshire, approximately 49.4 miles southwest of Chapman Inn in Bethel, Maine. It appears on the USGS Waterville Valley topographic quadrangle.
How far is Shell Cascade from Chapman Inn?
The drive runs about 85 minutes, 49.4 miles southwest (bearing SW) of the Inn.
What type of natural feature is Shell Cascade?
The U.S. Geological Survey classifies Shell Cascade as a waterfall, catalogued under GNIS Feature ID 872649 on the Waterville Valley quadrangle.
When is the best time to visit Shell Cascade?
Peak flow runs mid-April through June after snowmelt; late summer can be thin or dry.
How many other waterfalls are in Grafton County, New Hampshire?
GNIS lists 11 other waterfalls in Grafton County, New Hampshire.