Trip report
Notes
We more recently did the Pemigewasset Loop, which includes the Franconia Ridge Trail shown on this trip report. My Pemi Loop trip report has more recent and better photos, especially since we weren't socked in like I was during this trip.
Sep 18, 2014 — Franconia Ridge in White Mountain National Forest is another classic hike I heard a bunch about, but rather than sweeping views along a thin ridge I got a different experience. Normally, there are scenic dropoffs to either side of a the trail that traverses between Mt. Lincoln and Mt. Lafayette. I got fog. But it definitely wasn't a disappointment. I did the hike counter-clockwise, starting up along the Falling Waters Trail. This trail is steep and has plenty of short scrambling sections. Once up to the ridgeline, the trail leads over Mount Lincoln and over to Mount Lafayette. The Greenleaf and Old Bridge Trails lead back down to complete the loop.
After hiking Franconia Ridge, I took a short excursion to The Basin in Franconia Notch State Park. I figured was worth checking out. It's paved and crowded, and you can't jump into the water, but it's still an interesting water slide formation worthy of a short detour. You can access The Basin trailhead at these coordinates: 44.119463, -71.6808655. I included photos of The Basin at the end of this trip report.