How to Hike the Franconia Ridge Loop Trail: Our Review Parking & Getting to the Trail Head. More than 10,000 people hike along the ridge each year - please stay on the trail … N of the summit of Mt. For the most part the trail is pretty easy, gradual, and well marked here. Franconia Ridge is one of the top alpine traverses in the White Mountains, so when I learned we’d get a clear day last Saturday, I decided to hike it again to take in the views and climb two 5,000 footers, Mt Lafayette and Mt Lincoln. Flume, Mt. Falling Waters Trail, Franconia Ridge Trail, Greenleaf Trail, Old Bridle Path: Date of Hike: Saturday, December 19, 2020: Parking/Access Road Notes: Plenty at the Falling waters trailhead but it’s not 100% plowed. The Ascent. Franconia Notch Map and Attractions Brochure Discover the Power of Parks Programming. Guyot mile 1836.1 - I slept like a baby for about ten hours, recovering from the Kinsman Ridge (and a flight of microbrews). Dogs are also able to use this trail … Franconia Ridge Trail. I saw reports of people getting stuck, choose your space wisely. To continue our loop hike, turn right onto the Falling Waters Trail, and follow it down into the boreal forest. At Little Haystack, the Falling Waters Trail leaves the Franconia Ridge Trail. The trail to the right is a tad longer, but provides a more intimate look at the lake and a better view of Mount Lafayette and other mountain peaks of the Franconia Range towering in the distance. Continue on Franconia Ridge Trail/Appalachian Trail across moderate grades for 0.9 mile which will lead you down the other side of Mount Lincoln and then up to Mount Lafayette's summit. This suddenly changes upon reaching the peak of Little Haystack, when you will have a clear view of the upcoming mountains on the path. Old Bridal Path is the direct route to the hut but I prefer going up Falling Waters and crossing the ridge before descending to the hut in the shoulder of Mt Lafayette. The actual summits of the high peaks on Franconia Ridge are now mostly barren. Franconia Notch Hiker Parking/Shuttle Info - Shuttle is canceled for the 2020 season due to COVID-19. For my fall Franconia Ridge hike, the forecast looked ideal (65 o and sunny) up until the day of our hike, when the MWOBS showed fog and wind speeds of up to 50 miles-per-hour. This lot provides access to Kinsman Ridge, Greenleaf and Pemi Trail. Trash left for another slackpack and Marlene dropped me off in Franconia Notch. Echo Lake Beach Following the Franconia Ridge for many miles, this trail is actually a section of the Appalachian Trail. ... Beautiful ridge trail! 8 trails Blazes are generally on trees at a reasonable height, except when at or above treeline, when they are on the rocks instead. Liberty, NH: Trails: Bike path, Liberty Spring Trail, Flume Slide Trail, Franconia Ridge Trail Your walk starts at The Basin, which is a major hub for summertime outdoor recreation. Located in Franconia Notch, the route involves climbing four 4000 footers: Mt Flume, Mt Liberty, Mt Lincoln, and Mt Lafayette. This section of Franconia Ridge is incredible. The Franconia Ridge Loop Trailhead is at the Lafayette Place Parking in Franconia Notch. The trail can be tiring for Sherpas and passengers alike. Day 105: Franconia Ridge - 16.20 Miles - From Franconia Notch To Stealth site on Mt. Nor Bring the family, stay awhile, and enjoy Franconia Notch State Park. It’s just off of I-93, which cuts through the western White Mountains in a north-south direction. And 2.8 miles from the parking lot, there is a 100-yard spur path leading downhill to the right to Shining Rock. SKOOKUMCHUCK TRAIL: (4.3 MILES) (4,680 ft.) GARFIELD RIDGE TRAIL: (0.8 MILES) TOTAL HIKE: 10.2 MILES This is a much different way from the Franconia Ridge Traverse, but in many ways just as scenic way of climbing Mt. Difficult. Hiking Trail Conditions Report: Peaks: Mt. Franconia Ridge Trail. The trailhead parking is 0.2 miles north of the visitor center lot. The trail is primarily used for hiking, camping, nature trips, and backpacking. The detour is worth it just to see this huge slab, but it also provides an outlook over Franconia Notch. The ascent up Falling Waters began easily enough. Instead, try the Kinsman Ridge Trail, which leaves from a hiker lot attached to the large parking lot for the Aerial Tramway and avoids the busier parts of the notch. The forest along the Franconia Ridge Trail just might be my favorite part of this hike. Not unlike the Hi-Cannon Trail in Franconia Notch, the Kinsman Ridge Trail is a lung and leg burner—the trail climbs just under 2,500 feet over roughly two miles. Went up Falling Waters Trail, across Franconia Ridge Trail, Down Greenleaf Trail to the hut, and down Old Bridle Path to the parking lot. Mount Lincoln (5089') and Mount Lafayette (5260') were calling. One of Franconia Notch State Park’s most iconic hikes, the Basin-Cascade Trail is a popular family trek. Mount Lafayette is the tallest mountain of Franconia Ridge at 5,249 feet. Old Man Museum (Upper Lot off of I93-S) 53 spots. From the end of Falling Waters Trail, turn left onto Franconia Ridge Trail which is also part of the Appalachian Trail (AT). It was hard for me to keep hiking without taking 1000 pictures, It never gets old! Franconia Ridge Loop RECOMMENDED ROUTE. All the trails except Franconia Ridge use blue blazes (trailmarkers). Takes the clearly marked trail-way east of the parking lots for 0.2 miles until you hit junction where the Old Bridle Path is on your left and Falling Waters is on your right. Jun 3, 2018 Jake Franklin. It is much less crowded than the Franconia Traverse and a … Most hike Franconia Ridge as a loop, beginning and ending at the Falling Waters and Old Bridle Path trailhead and parking lot on Interstate 93N (44.142048, -71.681206) in Franconia Notch State Park. It’s pretty strongly discouraged to sleep in the parking lot. The trail finally passes Liberty Spring Campsite and continues steeply ending at the Franconia Ridge Tr., about 1/4 mi. On a sunny morning in October, I embarked on a solo hike on the Franconia Ridge Loop, along with my super active, 15-pound dachshund mix, Stella. The trail drops some elevation after Little Haystack and scrambles over some short rocky scramble sections on Franconia ridge. Franconia Notch State Park, Franconia, NH 03580. After leaving the parking lot, you’ll steadily gain elevation after crossing a number of major bridges. Better to stay in a hotel a bit south and hit the trail well rested. 9.3mi May 12, 2018 Neil J. icy! Franconia Ridge & West Slopes Hike trails, New Hampshire. Liberty and Franconia Ridge Loop is a 11.4 mile moderately trafficked loop trail located near Lincoln, New Hampshire that offers the chance to see wildlife and is rated as difficult. Franconia Ridge loop is by far my favorite day hike I’ve ever done. The trail is heavily forested with few opportunities for views of the larger mountain range. It features some of the best views in the entire state, multiple trails, an AMC hut, and gorgeous waterfalls. 8.4mi — 5h 50m May 25, 2018 Mackenzie Fannon. This program will not be offered during the summer of 2020. Hiker parking is limited to the gravel lot to left of paved lots by the old ski jumps. Gain 3300' The trail begins at the Lafayette Campground parking lots on both sides of I-93. Strenuous hike. Having done this hike before, I knew the views were spectacular. Hikers driving north on I-93 will find the parking lot just after the exit for The Basin trailhead. Our route would take us up Falling Waters Trail, across Franconia Ridge Trail over the summits of Little Haystack (4,780'), Lincoln (5,089') and Lafayette (5,260') then down Greenleaf Trail past the Greenleaf Hut and finally the Old Bridle Trail back to the beginning. Upon reaching the summit of Little Haystack Mountain (4840'), one can return to the parking lot via the Falling Waters Trail or continue along the Franconia Ridge Trail to Mount Lincoln (5089') and to Mount Layafette (5260'). Mt Lincoln, Franconia Ridge Trail. This trail will lead you to the Hi-Cannon Trail and the Lonesome Lake Trail to Kinsman Ridge Trail. From Mount Lafayette, turn left to descend on Greenleaf Trail, being careful to avoid Garfield Ridge Trail … The Franconia Ridge trail, being part of the Appalachian Trail, uses white blazes. Alpine plants are very suscep-tible to trampling, and heavy hiker traffic has taken a toll on them over time. You can park in the visitor center lot, you’ll just have to start out on and walk further on the bike path. Old Bridle Path Class II, Distance 3-1/4 mi./Time 3 hrs./Elev. We followed it for 1.7 miles (2.7 km), from the summit of Little Haystack, across Mount Lincoln and to Mount Lafayette, the highest peak in the White Mountains outside of the Presidential Range and our goal for the day. Liberty. Like the other two waterfalls, this waterfall can be seen from the trail, but the best views are afforded by sidestepping off the main trail and getting closer to the falls. FRANCONIA RIDGE TRAIL (AT) (1.7 MILES) GREENLEAF TRAIL (1.1 MILES) OLD BRIDLE PATH (2.9 MILES) From the Lafayette Place Trailhead. The Franconia Ridge Traverse is one of the most magnificent hikes in New Hampshire’s White Mountains and one that I never get tired of hiking. Upon reaching Little Haystack, you’ll make a left to continue along the Franconia Ridge Trail. At 6.1 miles, after descending nearly straight from the summit of Little Haystack, the trail turns left to meet a short side trail leading left to Shining Rock Cliff in 100 yards. Franconia Ridge Loop – White Mountains, NH. You can get to the trailhead from both directions on the interstate. Lafayette. Best nearby. Franconia Ridge Loop Beautiful Hike yesterday the view is degrees,stayed at Greenleaf Hut last night and traversed down today July 24, Jul 24, We like to head north from The Flume parking area, so that the somewhat, but not steep uphill grade has the reward of the downhill stretches on the way back. Website. If you are planning on taking the Falling waters trail up Little Haystack Mountain (the most popular way) the trail starts fairly gradual crossing rivers a few times and passing multiple waterfalls. FRANCONIA RIDGE TRAVERSE: 10 miles FALLING WATERS TRAIL: 3.4 miles FRANCONIA RIDGE TRAIL (AT): 3 miles GREENLEAF TRAIL: 1 miles OLD BRIDLE PATH: 2.6 miles. 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