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Hike the Mount Lafayette Loup

Lincoln, New Hampshire

Details

Distance

8.9 miles

Elevation Gain

3900 ft

Route Type

Loop

Description

Added by Margaret Walsh

This is an amazing 8.9 mile loop hike to summit Mount Lafayette, the highest peak outside the Presidential's in New Hampshire at 5,254 feet. It begins with Falling Waters Trail along Dry Brook, crossing over the brook several times and seeing 3 waterfalls along the way. Then summiting 3 different peaks along the Appalachian Trail with beautiful views of the White Mountains. 

My friends and I stayed at Lost River Campground, which allows dogs, and it has a small river running along one side and a brook on the other that meet at the end of the campgrounds. It’s a very pretty location and several of the campsites are very private and on the water. 

The morning of our hike we got up fairly early, ate, and got ready for the day. We made sure to pack lots of water for us and our dog. We parked in the lot across from Franconia Place Campground to begin the 8.9 mile loop at about 11 am.

We began from the parking lot and walked 0.2 miles to Falling Waters Trail. Falling Waters Trail is 2.9 miles crossing over Dry Brook several times and walking past 3 waterfalls. At the end of the trail we reached the first summit, Little Haystack Mountain on the Franconia Ridge part of the Appalachian Trail. Then we continued on summiting Mount Lincoln on the way to Mount Lafayette, 1.7 miles later. Then we began descending, 1.1 miles down Greenleaf Trail to the AMC hut to stop and take a break and finally 3 miles back on Old Bridle Path to the parking lot. 

It was am amazing hike full of exposed roots and rock staircases . The whole hike took us about 8 hours and I wouldn’t recommend starting later than we did. I should probably note I stopped to take a lot of photos so that made the hike take longer than it might for someone just hiking. We got lucky and it was a beautiful day, if the weather turns bad when are on the ridge, 1.7 miles of the hike  is above the tree line and you are exposed to the weather, so I would recommend turning back!

I wrote more on my on blog post about the photos and experience: http://wp.me/p7dLIs-eb

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Features

Photography
Hiking
Dog Friendly
Easy Parking
Forest
Scenic
Waterfall

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Nearby

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Hike to Greenleaf Hut via Old Bridle Path

Winter Hike up Mount Lafayette

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Hike Falling Waters Trail

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