Moosilauke and the dramatic granite wall of Canon Mountain. Winter hiking anywhere in the White Mountains requires specialized equipment and skills, and experience in coping with weather, navigation, and winter gear. Saw a mix of people using spikes and snow shoes, either would have been fine until the exposure. Per the write-up in this bracket-style, reader-voted competition: “There are few hikes as iconic, as scenic, or as justifiably popular as the ascent of 5,260-foot Mount Lafayette. Hikers are advised to pay particular attention to weather conditions for the area and avoid the ridgecrest on Mts. Lafayette is my favorite mountain of the white mountain range so far. The combination of high wind and low temperatures has such a cooling effect that the worst conditions on Mt. Wind speeds of 40mph and gusts of 50+ created well below 0 real feel temps. Lafayette summit from one side and came down by taking the old bridle path trail. On that 95-degree Thursday afternoon in May, we headed north from Kittery, seeking cooler air and adventure. This loop is 8.9 miles with an elevation gain of about 3,900 feet. The trail is located near Franconia, New Hampshire and is 8.6 miles in length. 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. The elevation gain of the trail is 3,822 feet and is not easy to hike. Lincoln - Mt. For recommendations on how to plan a safe hike in the White Mountains, see: The 10 essentials for a safe and pleasant hike. Helpful information can also be found in the AMC Guide to Winter Hiking and Camping . Lists: Started at 1pm, arrived back at 7 pm, nice little twilight hike. The Garfield Ridge and Franconia Ridge Trails, both popular and scenic, intersect at the summit of Mt. Lafayette is the highest mountain outside the presidental range in New Hampshire and on a clear day you will have amazing views all around. Lafayette. Lafayette (rt: 8.0 miles, 3,600 feet, 5:50). Loop tags the summit of Little Haystack, Mt Lincoln, and Mt Lafayette. This is one of the most popular hiking peaks in the White Mountains because: (1) there is a popular 8.9 mile loop hike that is all class 1, (2) the summit is above treeline, (3) the mountain is right off of a major Interstate, and (4) as such, it is only about a 2 hour drive from Bo… It is the second most prominent peak in the state. If the parking lot is full, you can take the shuttle service. Relatively packed trail, no need for snowshoes currently! https://www.nhstateparks.org/activities/hiking/franconia-notch-hiker-parking Lafayette River, entirely in the city of Norfolk, Virginia Mount Lafayette New Hampshire Lafayette Village, a historic district in North Kingstown, Rhode South . I did it in 6 hours but most people took far longer. Wow!!! The Skookumchuck Trail may also be used to reach Mt. Add your article. As a bonus you will ascend three peaks, including the highest mountain outside the Presidential Range - Mount Lafayette. Beautiful!!! Highly recommended. Prepare for the last climb up to Mt. Hiked with two other physically-fit, high-fitness guys. Lafayette are approximately equal to the worst reported from Antarctica, despite the much greater cold in the latter region. Tag: Mount Lafayette. Take Exit 34C where a large parking lot has been designated for hiker parking. 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). Great day to start the New Year! If you find yourself thinking about climbing a mountain in the Whites mountains that is over 4,000 in elevation, do NOT make Mt. Going down will be faster, but not by much. 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. If weather cooperates it provides spectacular views. Weather - light snow for entirety of hike; very strong winds along ridge line; very low visibility along ridge line and above tree line When it comes to hiking in the White mountains, look no further than the popular Mt. Trailhead is on east side of road and is well marked. 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. Extremely severe storms can develop suddenly and unexpectedly, especially above treeline. 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). Winter hike of Little Falling Water, Franconia Ridge, and Old Bridel Path. Minimal wind today with epic clouds! With this being said, Mount Lafayette is a stunning hike in all 4 seasons. Hikers quickly ascend above treeline, making it essential to have the proper winter hiking gear and clothing. Summit weather report said 20 mph winds at the top however we think it was about 40 in reality. This was one of my best hike yet. © Copyright 2021 All Rights Reserved. For planning purposes, doing Lafayette first has a LARGE amount of exposure going up, way more than Little Haystack. Start the hike at 'Falling Waters Trail', which is rather steep, but good for ascending the mountains. Appalachian Trail - Mount Lafayette during the winter months from the Franconia Ridge Trail in the White Mountains, NH Washington and Lafayette at Mount Vernon, 1784 (The Home of Washington after the War). Welcome! We didn’t have spikes and I wish we did. Click here for larger-size photo. Lafayette. Lafayette, Lincoln and Little Haystack when storms approach. Loved hiking up Falling Waters....the ridge is spectacular!! In warmer months the Mt. Lincoln and 4,761-foot Little Haystack Mountain via the Falling Waters, Franconia Ridge, Greenleaf and Old Bridle Path trails. 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. Many stretches of the ascent feature steep and icy sections that are dangerous without the proper traction. Note: for complete trail descriptions, times, elevation, trailhead directions, and major features, see the AMC White Mountain Guide. There is limited parking at the trailhead and the trail gets very busy during weekends and holidays. 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. The campground gets really busy, so make sure to book well in advance if you plan on staying here. You are now on top of the first 4000 footer of the day. It’s a great hike whether you hit it from hiking a day hike or incorporate it into … $3 a day to park here. Winter hiking: Mount Lafayette and Franconia Ridge Trail Loop Subjects: Jim, Lou, Eddie and Don Date: Feb, 19th 2017 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. Mt. Originally called “Great Haystack,” Mt. My JetBoil performed like a champ and I had brought a little […] Just pay attention to tracks, watch your steps. Several AMC chapters offer winter hiking and backpacking instruction, and AMC offers several guided winter mountaineering trips; search for “Instruction” in AMC’s activity listings. Bond and Bond Cliff. To the east you can see the presidential range, with Mt. Winter Hike up Mount Lafayette. Steep, icy and extremely slippery at some points which requires micro-spikes. I have hiked this now 15 times the past year, today was probably my favorite approach but it’s always epic and beautiful! Hut is closed, too. The mountain's upper reaches are located in the alpine zone, an area where only … Hikers interested in extending their activities into winter are strongly advised to seek out organized trips with leaders who have extensive winter experience. Mt. This section of the trail coincides with the Appalachian Trail and you’re likely to run into thru-hikers between July and September. This is a very popular full day hike for good reasons. There are excellent views along the Old Bridle Path, and the last mile up the Greenleaf trail is entirely above treeline. You've reached the highest point at this summit. Left to right: Mt. Perfect conditions for winter hiking. As a bonus, you will climb three peaks, including the largest mountain outside the Presidential Range-Mount Lafayette. Mount Lafayette: Wonderful Hike - See 58 traveller reviews, 67 candid photos, and great deals for Franconia, NH, at Tripadvisor. Route - up to Little Haystack to Lincoln to Lafayette Check out Mount Lafayette NH recent hiking conditions and TrailsNH Trail Map here: Trail Conditions Trail Map. ! Lincoln (2017-01-05). 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! Home Lists by length Lists of mountains by elevation New England Hundred Highest New … Lincoln you will be traveling over a 2 mile stretch of knife-edge ridge that connects this peak with Little Haystack. Mt Lafayette – White Mountains, NH. To start this hike, you can park right at the trailhead in a parking lot off of 93. Ridge was windy and chilly, but good enough visibility. Many people were on the trail still at 3pm. 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. Mount Liberty, Mount Flume, Mount Lincoln, and Mount Lafayette is a 13 mile moderately trafficked point-to-point trail located near Lincoln, New Hampshire that features beautiful wild flowers and is only recommended for very experienced adventurers. This is a long and strenuous hike, so make sure to bring plenty of food and water. Truman Mt. This is a hike up a mountain so the entire hike is pretty challenging. Please visit the following page for more information https://www.nhstateparks.org/activities/hiking/franconia-notch-hiker-parking. 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