From Lincoln in mid-October

    Mt Lafayette - 5260'

    Franconia Ridge is dominated by Mt Lafayette, home to the AMC's Greenleaf Hut. The other major peak on the ridge is Mt Lincoln, with Little Haystack on the end. The mountain was originally called Great Haystack but was renamed in honor of the Marquis de Lafayette for his role in the Revolutionary War. The mountain is very popular with hikers, and the Franconia Ridge Loop (described below) is often crowded on summer weekends. At 5260', Lafayette is the highest peak in NH outside the Presidential Range. It is subject to high winds, cold temperatures and foggy conditions in all seasons, so a hike here should not be taken lightly.

    At the summit are the foundations of a building that was used as hiker hut and stables for the bridle horses that burned long ago. Near Greenleaf Hut is Eagle Lake, a beautiful mountain pond.

    Hiking Trails

    • Old Bridle Path - The most popular route to the summit, the OBP leaves Lafayette Place Campground at in Franconia Notch. The trip starts by climbing through forest until reaching a ledge about half way to the hut. From here, the trail climbs the three miseries and comes out to the hut at treeline.
    • Falling Waters Trail - This trail takes you up past several large waterfalls on the way to the ridge. Another interesting point along hte trail is Shining Rock, which can ve seen from most places in Franconia Notch.
    • Franconia Ridge Trail - The 1.9 miles of trail from Lafayette to Little Haystack are some of the most dramatic and picturesque in New Hampshire. The trail narrow at times, but affords the best ridgewalk atmosphere in the WMNF. It connects the OBP to the Falling Waters Trail for a 9 mile loop back to Lafayette Place Campground
    • Greenleaf Trail - This trail starts at the Cannon Mountain parking lot and climbs past Eagle Ledges and reaches Greenleaf Hut after ZZZ miles. The trail continues to the summit of Lafayette in 1.5 more miles for a total trip distance of ZZZ.

    Trailheads

    • Lafayette Place - Located in the center of Franconia Notch State Park, there are parking areas on either side of the Parkway with a foot travel tunnel running underneath.  Both the Old Bridle Path and Falling Waters start from the east side.  There are restrooms and a pay phone at the trailhead, and no WMNF parking pass is required.
    • Cannon Tramway - Take Exit 34B on the Franconia Parkway, and follow the signs to the Cannon Tramway parking area.  The Greenleaf trail starts on the east side of the Parkway. No WMNF parking pass is needed.
    • Skookumchuck - The trailhead is located at the end of the Franconia Notch bikepath.  The parking area is north of the Notch, on Rt 3, just after it branches off from I-93. A WMNF parking pass is required.

    Additional Photos

    • Panormaic shot from summit
    • Wide shot of Franconia Ridge
    • Frosty View of summit and Eagle Lake from hut
    • Summit sign
    • Group on the summit
    • Summit from Hut, with frost
    • Descending from summit in winter
    • Main part of Ridge, from Moosilauke
    • Winter shot from Cannon

    Trip Reports

    • Spring Greenleaf overnight
    • Franonia Ridge Loop
    • Summer dayhike up Skookumchuck trail
    • Winter hike up Old Bridle Path
    • Winter trip to Greenleaf
    • Franconia Ridge Loop, clockwise
    • Franconia Ridge Loop, counter-clockwise
    • Overnight at Greenleaf
    • Winter trip up Lafayette

    Back to White Mountains home page