Strava link: https://www.strava.com/activities/3937791216
I took a road trip to New England in August 2020 to visit family and friends, hike the White Mountains and Green Mountains, explore Acadia National Park, and pursue some new freshwater and saltwater fish species in the area. Hiking the Franconia Notch in New Hampshire’s White Mountains was definitely a highlight of the trip, and one of my most memorable and scenic hikes. Thanks Matt Bromley for the recommendation to hike this!
I tackled this mountain hike solo, starting early and covering about 17 miles in just over 7 hours. I logged more than a mile of vertical gain – my most in any single activity. The beautiful views and sense of accomplishment made it all worthwhile! I hiked counterclockwise, summiting Mount Flume first, then following the Franconia Ridge Trail (a section of the Appalachian Trail!) across the progressively higher summits of Mount Liberty, Little Haystack Mountain, Mount Lincoln, and finally Mount Lafayette—the second highest peak in New Hampshire after Mount Washington.
I started at the Liberty Spring Trailhead. The rocky, root-strewn trail gradually climbed through verdant forest and along clean mountain streams. It was a cool summer day, absolutely perfect weather for hiking.
I chose to take the Flume Slide Trail, which gets pretty steep (it features a short stretch of Class 3 scramble). I’m glad I did, and I’m glad it wasn’t wet. I am also glad I didn’t have to descent that way, as I find going up to be easier. Nevertheless, I had to pause a few times to catch my breath (always a great opportunity to take photos!). These pictures don’t do justice to how steep the Flume Slide Trail (see the elevation profile starting at mile 4):
The views atop Mount Flume were well worth the effort:
After enjoying the view and snacks atop Mount Flume I hiked the saddle connecting to Mount Liberty. From Mount Liberty, the Franconia Ridge Trail snakes its way across the summits and saddles connecting Liberty with the summit of Mount Lafayette, which peaks at an elevation of 5,249′ above mean sea level. The next set of photos highlights the views along the ridge:
As I neared Mount Lafayette and gained elevation the wind picked up, clouds blew in, and it became cooler. It was time to add a layer of clothing. The last bit of trail, from Mount Lincoln to the top of Mount Lafayette, was shrouded in fog and light rain, making the final ascent even more epic and mysterious. I was really enjoying myself. The clouds broke just as I reached the summit, granting me great views back along the Franconia Ridge Trail and the surrounding mountains. A stiff wind assailed the summit, so I took pictures quickly and then ate a snack hunkered behind a large rock before descending down the more gradual (compared to the Flume Slide Trail) Greenleaf Trail. Here are some views from the peak of Mount Lafayette:
The weather improved for the descent along the Greenleaf Trail. The Greenleaf Hut provided restrooms and a beautiful view of the forested mountainside. I ran portions of the descent, stopping frequently to take photos. Here are some views on the way down to the Old Bridle Path Trailhead.
From the Old Bridle Path Trailhead I had about two miles to get back to my car. I anticipated it would be a fairly boring hike along the highway to finish off my amazing day of hiking. To my surprise and fortune, the Pemi Trail that connects the two trailheads featured a pleasant path along the river and even a few really cool waterfalls!
