It is done in either direction, using the Old Bridle Path, Greenleaf, Franconia Ridge and Falling Waters trails (lp: 8.9 miles, 3,900 feet, 6:25). Since you are exposed on the alpine ridge line for approximately a mile and a half, the weather can be extreme and change rapidly, so, check the Mount Washington Observatory website before you head out. Lincoln, Little Haystack Mtn., Mt. Thing is, I will be driving 4 hours to get to the Trail. Please adjust your search criteria and try again. It is now around two in the afternoon and we take a fifteen minute break before continuing on down the trail to meet the Old Bridle Path. All you need is a little determination and willpower — oh, and snacks, definitely bring the snacks. One thought is its’ great you are writing about hikes on the east coast. The Franconia Ridge Loop is a popular, 8+ mile route in the White Mountain National Forest of New Hampshire. Two of which — Mt Lafayette (5249′) and Mt Lincoln (5089′) — count for the 4k list thanks to elevation and prominence — or a lack thereof on the part of the disqualified (Little Haystack and Truman). Mt. Franconia Ridge Trail. Also, although the trail is dog-friendly, the huts are not. Although you can do the hike any time of the year, the best time to hike the Franconia Ridge Loop is from late May to September. How much of a classic is this one? Acting as my saving grace, the Greenleaf AMC Hut is situated on the Greenleaf Trail on which we are now using to hike through the boulders. It features some of the best views in the entire state, multiple trails, an AMC hut, and gorgeous waterfalls. Connect with Facebook. This loop takes you over 3 summits: Mt Little Haystack at an elevation of 4,760 ft Mt Lincoln 5,089 ft and Mt Lafayette 5,249 ft. New England hiking trails don’t get as much love as their western/West Coast counterparts (kind of like skiing), but they’re definitely worth trying out if you have a chance. To the left, the Garfield Ridge Trail continues north (with less-visited North Lafayette a worthwhile side trip). Height: 5,089 feet (1,551.1 meters) Length: 7.8 miles (12.6 km) Franconia Ridge Loop Map; Summit Post: An incredible resource with a user-submitted review and trip detail of the Franconia Ridge Loop. As we hiked, I wondered out loud how I did the 23.5-mile Bonds Traverse just a few weeks ago because I was really feeling it on Falling Waters. My lunch is satisfying and my pack is lighter. I am hoping to keep a 1.3 to a 1.6 mile per hours average pace. duration : 11h 57m 43s. The plan for today is to exit the campground and cross under the highway, using the interesting underpass-tunnel, and commence at the Falling Waters Trailhead. ... Franconia Ridge Trail ... Deerfield, NH Franconia Ridge Loop 8.3 mi 13.4 km. With temperatures already in the high sixties by ten am, we were off to the tunnel and first trailhead. Hope to see you out there! Hiking the ridge loop isn’t for the faint of heart, but it’s also not exclusively for experienced hikers. If you park on the southbound side, there is a path that will take you underneath the interstate to the trailhead. Mount Kinsman, South Peak. ... Google Map. I’m just not sure on how tough the Falling Waters Trail is? The most popular way up is the Falling Waters Trail that leads you past a waterfall and up a steep, rocky path to Little Haystack. Weather: Sunny/45°-65° Mileage: 8.8. Doing all the peaks in one day can also be challenging because a full traverse makes a very long loop hike (about 16 miles) or requires multiple car spots at the beginning and end of your route. Not for the faint of heart, the Franconia Ridge Loop trail leads hikers through White Mountain National Forest to the peaks of three 4,000+ footers – Little Haystack, Mount Lincoln, and Mount Lafayette. A returning private guest wanted to hike the classic “Franconia Ridge Loop” that climbs four peaks. Some visitors park along the interstate, but this is very dangerous and illegal. You can get to the trailhead from both directions on the interstate. To continue this loop hike, turn right (south) onto the Franconia Ridge Trail. Equipment: Microspikes. A returning private guest wanted to hike the classic “Franconia Ridge Loop” that climbs four peaks. ... which is the trail I wanted, was a little obscured at the turn. Recently erected American flags flutter atop each peak to our right and left. then 4 hours back to get home! The ridge loop can be hiked within a day, but you can also stay at the Greenleaf Hut if you want to experience the AMC’s famous full-service huts and spend the night. Franconia Ridge also traverses the two popular 5000 footers of … They have climbed up to the ridge using the Old Bridle Path and Greenleaf Trail, the trails we will be following on the descent. Staying on the trail will prevent damage to this delicate environment. The two groups share lunch for an hour atop Mount Lincoln and enjoy the perfect weather. We’re pleasantly cooled and rested, but not too hot or cold. However, I prefer to take the Old Bridle Path all the way up to the steepest of the three peaks, Mount Lafayette, because it typically is less crowded and offers scenic vistas where you can stop and rest on your climb up to the summit. This means packing out all of your garbage, being respectful to others on busy trails, and following the established rules. 170 ROUTE. I could go on and on about what other mts to hike in the Whites. Equipment: Microspikes. It is recommended you only ascend the Flume Slide Trail (and avoid it in adverse weather), so this loop is better done counter clockwise. Whichever way you decide to go, you’ll certainly run into some steeps but the Old Bridle Path, although is the steepest ascent, brings you the best rewards, less foot traffic and a slightly easier way down. 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. Along this portion of the trail we pass some burly guys with huge aluminum poles sticking out of their packs. If you need ideas on great hikes the 4K FB group is filled with smarter people than I. Mount Lincoln, Franconia Ridge. We have been enjoying the views from the summit this far, but as we enter a new trail landscape of boulders and views stretching all the way down the mountain and into the valley that contains Lonesome Lake, I’m struck with the beauty of the area. Lafayette – Franconia Ridge Loop. Franconia Notch State Park: Franconia Ridge Loop is a breathtaking hike; both from the views and physical challenge - See 641 traveler reviews, 594 candid photos, and great deals for Franconia, NH, at Tripadvisor. Mount Washington Observatory website before you head out. It’s easy to lose your direction and zigzag through the boulder field, but in doing so you’re likely to trample the fragile alpine plants, so, tread lightly. This is one of those hikes you absolutely need to put on your bucket list. Franconia Ridge Loop (Early Spring) Date: April 15, 2017. Hikers driving north on I-93 will find the parking lot just after the exit for The Basin trailhead. As an avid hiker, skier, yogi (namaste) and aspiring environmentalist, her best days are spent getting a little dirt under her fingernails and fresh air in her lungs. Located in Franconia Notch, the route involves climbing four 4000 footers: Mt Flume, Mt Liberty, Mt Lincoln, and Mt Lafayette. The nine-mile loop, which includes Old Bridal Path, Greenleaf trail, Franconia Ridge trail and Falling Waters trail, is an extremely strenuous and steep hike (no such thing as switchbacks in these parts.) Added by Heidi Dallas. As always to garner maximum optimal enjoyment I truly enjoy planning out a hike at least five weeks in advance by mapping out the actual hiking trail map routing to be taken on the day of planned hike by using: they have an excellent free hiking trail map routing tool that enables one to zoom in on the actual hiking trail map routing down to the 200 foot elevation level in order to allow one to actually see all of the really minute graphic details that can be observed, outlined and documented in the form of ones own official personal documented notes to be jotted down and typed up for potential useful reference for the “day of planned hike”; I do that extra level of documented planning detail to help document where I actually took a particular set of interesting inspiring creative beautiful photographs; so that in the future if I go back I can potentially get more of those same kinds of beautiful interesting stock photographs. 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