Tracks on the ground were hard to make out sometimes, but luckily there was pee in the snow to confirm I was on the right path, lols. Trailhead is on east side of road and is well marked. Steep, icy and extremely slippery at some points which requires micro-spikes. Relatively packed trail, no need for snowshoes currently! The trail is primarily used for hiking, mountain biking, and snowshoeing and is best used from April until October. Micro spikes and layers are must atm. Weather - light snow for entirety of hike; very strong winds along ridge line; very low visibility along ridge line and above tree line Posted on May 20, 2018 by Dianne Fallon. Check out Mount Lafayette NH recent hiking conditions and TrailsNH Trail Map here: Trail Conditions Trail Map. The trail is primarily used for hiking, mountain biking, and snowshoeing and is best used from April until October. A typical stretch of the Falling Waters Trail. USFS Pemigewasset Ranger Station, Plymouth, (603)536-1310. On a clear day, you are unlikely to find better views in New England. You have to in perfect shape if you want to hike the trail in the best way. The hike is rewarding early on, features an AMC hut along the way, stunning views of Washington, the notch, and the Pemi Wilderness. Microspikes and poles helped! Do not attempt leisurely, nor alone. Park at the Lafayette Place parking area. Kinsman Pond via Lonesome Lake and Fishing Jimmy Trail, Appalachian Trail: Franconia Notch State Park to Zealand Notch, North Kinsman and South Kinsman Trail via Lonesome Lake and Appalachian Trail, North Kinsman, South Peak and Cannon Balls Loop Trail, Lonesome Lake via Cascade Brook and Pemi Trail, Cascade Brook, Lonesome Lake, North Kinsman and South Kinsman Mountain Loop, Mount Lafayette, Little Haystack Mountain, Mount Liberty, and Mount Flume Loop, Kinsman Loop via AT and Cascade Brook Trails, Mount Lafayette and Franconia Ridge Trail Loop, https://www.nhstateparks.org/activities/hiking/franconia-notch-hiker-parking. Dogs are also able to use this trail. The Franconia Ridge Loop — the nine-mile, seven-hour Franconia Ridge hike that traverses Mount Lafayette, Mount Lincoln, and Little Haystack, along the second-highest range of peaks in the White Mountains — is arguably one of the most popular and best hikes New England has to offer, with breathtaking views in the White Mountains. Lincoln and 4,761-foot Little Haystack Mountain via the Falling Waters, Franconia Ridge, Greenleaf and Old Bridle Path trails. Lafayette (5,260 feet) represents the highest peak in the Franconia Ridge and, from the summit, offers a stunning view of the Pemigewasset Wilderness Area. The Garfield Ridge and Franconia Ridge Trails, both popular and scenic, intersect at the summit of Mt. Saw a mix of people using spikes and snow shoes, either would have been fine until the exposure. I must say this trail was spectacular in the winter! This hike is amazing. Lists: We went up falls. As the tallest mountain outside of Franconia Ridge, Lafayette stands out and looms over Franconia Notch. Hike date: 10/05/2019 Description: Mount Lafayette is the tallest mountain in the Franconia Ridge and offers a stunning view of the Pemigewasset Wilderness Area. The campground gets really busy, so make sure to book well in advance if you plan on staying here. This was one of my best hike yet. NOTE: The shuttle service had been temporarily suspended in 2020 due to COVID-19 concerns. The mountain's upper reaches are located in the alpine zone, an area where only … Lafayette loop, an 8.8 mile round trek, is quite possibly the most popular hike in New England. There are excellent views along the Old Bridle Path, and the last mile up the Greenleaf trail is entirely above treeline. There is limited parking at the trailhead and the trail gets very busy during weekends and holidays. Lafayette: Elevation: 5,260' Popular Trails: Falling Waters Trail Franconia Ridge Trail Greenleaf Trail Trail Old Bridle Path Skookumchuck Trail: Winter Access Notes: The Greenleaf Hut is closed in winter. Wow!!! In warmer months the Mt. The trail climbs over large rock slabs and boulders from the junction to the summit of Northwest Lafayette before continuing to the Lafayette … I love the ridgeline views that it offers! Lafayette your first. It is one of the biggest and most challenging in the area. On a good day you may get a peak into the Adirondacks. After two weeks and more than 55,000 votes, the winner of our Hike The Whites bracket was Mount Lafayette, which defeated the more famous and much taller Mount Washington (6,288 feet to 5,260 feet). Route - up to Little Haystack to Lincoln to Lafayette I have hiked this now 15 times the past year, today was probably my favorite approach but it’s always epic and beautiful! If weather cooperates it provides spectacular views. Hikers are advised to pay particular attention to weather conditions for the area and avoid the ridgecrest on Mts. Still great views, just had to wait to eat until back in tree line. 9 mi / 3900 ft gain To start this hike, you can park right at the trailhead in a parking lot off of 93. Mount Lafayette is a 5,249-foot mountain at the northern end of the Franconia Range in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, United States. I recommend the Skookumchuck trail as a nice alternative to the more classic approaches - try it! Micro spikes needed after about 1 mile. There wasn’t any running water around so we got by with melted snow to cook our breakfast. It was also voted the best hike in the Whites earlier this year in the Boston Globe’s Hike the Whites challenge. We’ve been on the ridge Summer & Fall, so it was lovely to see it in the winter.....we hiked today....little to no wind, little icy coming off the ridge to Greenleaf & Old Bridle. Up falling waters; little haystack -> Lincoln -> Lafayette. Hiked with two other physically-fit, high-fitness guys. Enjoy the view of the mountain from the base of the notch. Head up the trail towards the Bridal Path Trail which veers off to the left just a short ways from the parking lot. The Franconia Ridge Trail is one of the most popular trails in the White Mountains, so you can always expect lots of people if the weather is nice. Many stretches of the ascent feature steep and icy sections that are dangerous without the proper traction. To the west you can see Mt. Mt. Left to right: Mt. Welcome! You are now on top of the first 4000 footer of the day. TrailsNH has just about every hiking trip report, trail advisory, and forest road closing in the Northeast. Packed down enough that loop can be completed with just boots and poles, but spikes would would be nice. Winter hiking anywhere in the White Mountains requires specialized equipment and skills, and experience in coping with weather, navigation, and winter gear. Old Bridle Path - The most popular route to the summit, the OBP leaves Lafayette Place Campgroundat in Franconia Notch. Because this is well traveled, hikers can often get away without snowshoes, however after snowfall, or during w… My JetBoil performed like a champ and I had brought a little […] Note: Franconia Ridge is extremely susceptible to high winds and bad weather, and is particularly exposed and prone to severe lightning strikes. Lafayette is a great hike with a little bit of everything, in the trees, a hut, overlooks, and above tree line. This loop is 8.9 miles with an elevation gain of about 3,900 feet. Closer to the east, you can see Twin Mt., Mt. Elevation: 5,260′ Mt. Winter hiking: Mount Lafayette and Franconia Ridge Trail Loop Subjects: Jim, Lou, Eddie and Don Date: Feb, 19th 2017 Lafayette are approximately equal to the worst reported from Antarctica, despite the much greater cold in the l… Lafayette. Mount Lafayette, located just east of I-93 (aka Franconia Notch Parkway) in Franconia Notch, is the highest peak in New Hampshire's White Mountains outside of the Presidential Range (6th highest overall). TrailsNH.com. Lafayette was renamed to honor the Marquis de Lafayette’s assistance in the War of Independence. Lafayette by way of the Garfield Ridge Trail. Lafayette Mt. Appalachian Mountain Club, 10 City Square, Boston, MA 02129 P: 617-523-0655 F: 617-523-0722, The 10 essentials for a safe and pleasant hike, White Mountain Guidebooks and Maps from AMC, AMC Field Guide to New England Alpine Summits, AMC White Mountain Guided Programs and Chapter Trips, Outdoor Skills and Leadership Training with AMC, Give Back! There is a total elevation gain of 3900 feet in … Hut is closed, too. Great condition. It’s a great hike whether you hit it from hiking a day hike or incorporate it into … Congratulations on having climbed 3800ft over roughly 5miles and hit the third and final 4000 footer of the day. As always, bring good footgear, rain clothes, and extra clothes. Even though you are in the treeline, it is exposed ridge. On the western side, its lower slopes lie inside Franconia Notch State Park. Very steep at some points. To start this hike, you can park right at the trailhead in a parking lot off of 93. This is a very popular full day hike for good reasons. A very popular day hike and perhaps the finest in the Northeast is to make a loop combining the 3 most notable summits of the Franconia Range: Little Haystack, Mount Lincoln, and Mount Lafayette. You've reached the highest point at this summit. Lafayette loop hike is rated as difficult and for good reason. Water crossing near falls not totally frozen over so caution not to fall in. Duration - 4 hours 30 minutes, 8.8 miles Mount Lafayette and Franconia Ridge Trail Loop is a 13.8 kilometer heavily trafficked loop trail located near Lincoln, New Hampshire that features a waterfall and is only recommended for very experienced adventurers. For recommendations on how to plan a safe hike in the White Mountains, see: The 10 essentials for a safe and pleasant hike. The ridge line stretch is NO JOKE. Continuing on past Mt. Restrooms are located just after the start of the trail. The AMC’s Greenleaf Hut is located at the junction of the Old Bridle Path and Greenleaf Trail, overlooking Eagle Lake. As a bonus you will ascend three peaks, including the highest mountain outside the Presidential Range - Mount Lafayette. Guyot, Mt. In addition to 5,261-foot Mt. Combine this with strenuous and nervous hiking on the' knife-edge' between Mount Little Haystack, Lincoln, and Lafayette, and you've got the recipe for a good day out. Loop tags the summit of Little Haystack, Mt Lincoln, and Mt Lafayette. © Copyright 2021 All Rights Reserved. Note: for complete trail descriptions, times, elevation, trailhead directions, and major features, see the AMC White Mountain Guide. Strenuous: The most common route to Lafayette’s summit is via Greenleaf Hut, using the Old Bridle Path and Greenleaf Trail. Crampons a must...make sure you stalk the weather on Washington and Lafayette....be prepared. Just pay attention to tracks, watch your steps. Spikes are must. Moosilauke and the dramatic granite wall of Canon Mountain. Hikers quickly ascend above treeline, making it essential to have the proper winter hiking gear and clothing. Washington towering above everything else. 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