Mount Lafayette via Franconia Ridge in White Mountain National Forest, NH

Hike Mount Lafayette via Franconia Ridge White Mountain National Forest, NH

Class 2 8.9 miles 3800 gain 4-6 hrs Loop Sep 18, 2014
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Mount Lafayette via Franconia Ridge GPX Track

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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.

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.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Mount Lafayette
5240 ft
3320 rise

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Waterfall on the Falling Waters Trail.
Waterfall on the Falling Waters Trail.
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Ascending the steep trail.
Ascending the steep trail.
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Franconia Ridge Trail
Franconia Ridge Trail
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Coming down from Lafayette Mountain on the Franconia Ridge Trail, covered in fog
Coming down from Lafayette Mountain on the Franconia Ridge Trail, covered in fog
Franconia Ridge Trail
Franconia Ridge Trail
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Old Bridge Path.
Old Bridge Path.
Along the Old Bridge Path on slick, some scrambling.
Along the Old Bridge Path on slick, some scrambling.
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Along the Old Bridge Path looking up at Lafayette Mountain covered in fog (where I was, in the clouds with zero visibility)
Along the Old Bridge Path looking up at Lafayette Mountain covered in fog (where I was, in the clouds with zero visibility)
A detour to The Basin, just north of the Franconia Ridge Loop. Here's a shot of some water flowing through marble on its way into The Basin.
A detour to The Basin, just north of the Franconia Ridge Loop. Here's a shot of some water flowing through marble on its way into The Basin.
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The Basin. A paved trail leads down to it. Looks really pretty, but you can't go in or around it.
The Basin. A paved trail leads down to it. Looks really pretty, but you can't go in or around it.
Image 21 from gallery

Hire me or show me some love!

Hire/refer me as a web developer or send me a few bucks if you find my site useful. I’m not sponsored, so all fees are out-of-pocket and my time preparing trip reports is unpaid. I really appreciate it!