Franconia Ridge Traverse

AMC July 21, 2016 Franconia Ridge Traverse

Notes

Created by AMC White Mountain Guide Online – wmgonline.org 1 Distance Time Elev Trail / Waypoint Latitude Longitude Change starting at Old Bridle Path (Franconia Range), Falling Waters 44° 08' 31" 71° 40' 53" Trailhead This trail starts at the Lafayette Place parking lots (located on each side of the Franconia Notch Parkway). The trail leaves the parking lot (which is a stop for the AMC's Hiker Shuttle) on the east side of the parkway (reached from the west side by a paved path 0.1 mi. long) near the hiker information kiosk, in common with the Falling Waters Trail, and passes through a clearing into the woods. 0.20 mi 8 min +62 ft on Old Bridle Path 0.20 mi 8 min +62 ft This trail runs from the Lafayette Place parking lots (located on each side of the Franconia Notch Parkway) to Greenleaf Hut, where it joins the Greenleaf Trail. It affords fine views, particularly down into and across Walker Ravine, from many outlooks in the upper half of the trail. For much of its length it follows the route of a former bridle path. Falling Waters Trail leaves the parking lot (which is a stop for the AMC’s Hiker Shuttle) on the east side of the parkway (reached from the west side by a paved path 0.1 mi. long) near the hiker information kiosk, in common with Old Bridle Path and passes through a clearing into the woods. It soon follows a relocated section on the right that bypasses a washout from the 2011 storm. to the junction of Falling Waters Trail 44° 08' 23" 71° 40' 46" 1.40 mi 1 hr 15 min +982 ft on Falling Waters Trail 1.60 mi 1 hr 23 min +1044 ft This trail begins at the Lafayette Place parking lots (located on each side of the Franconia Notch Parkway) and climbs to the Franconia Ridge Trail at the summit of Little Haystack Mountain, passing numerous waterfalls in its lower part. It is steep and rough in parts and better for ascent than descent, but not normally dangerous unless there is ice on the ledgy sections near the brook. The trail turns sharply right away from the Old Bridle Path and immediately crosses Walker Brook on a bridge, then leads away from the brook heading east, then turns south. After a slight descent it crosses Dry Brook (use care if the water is high), turns left (avoid a blocked-off path diverging to the right), and follows up the south bank to a beautiful cascade known as Stairs Falls. Above the falls, the trail passes beneath Sawteeth Ledges and crosses the brook to the north bank just below Swiftwater Falls, which descends 60 ft. in a shady glen, then climbs a steep rock staircase to the north bank and follows an old logging road that rises gradually in the narrow gorge of Dry Brook. The trail leaves the old road at a steep embankment and ascends more roughly to the foot of Cloudland Falls (80 ft.). It then climbs steeply up the steep bank of the brook, with a dropoff to the right; this area is subject to occasional rockfall. Recently cut rock steps aid in a ledgy scramble to the top of the falls. Here there is a viewpoint looking out over the valley toward Mt. Moosilauke on the skyline. At the head of Cloudland Falls are two small (25 ft.) falls practically facing each other. The one to the south, which emerges from the woods, is on the branch of Dry Brook that runs down from Little Haystack, while the other is on the Mt. Lincoln branch. The trail continues steeply on the north bank of the Mt. Lincoln branch, soon crosses to the south bank, crosses back to the north side, climbs to and follows an old logging road, and recrosses to the south bank. entering alpine zone 1.20 mi 1 hr 16 min +1306 ft on Falling Waters Trail

2 Distance Time Elev Trail / Waypoint Latitude Longitude Change 2.80 mi 2 hr 39 min +2349 ft Here it swings to the right, away from the brook, and angles uphill on an old logging road. Soon the trail takes the left fork of the old road, then diverges to the left off the road and ascends the ridge via a series of switchbacks. At the south end of the last switchback, a side trail leads south downhill about 100 yd. to the northeast corner of Shining Rock, where there are fine views south and west over Franconia Notch. This steep granite ledge, more than 200 ft. tall and nearly 800 ft. long, is usually covered with water from springs in the woods above and, seen from the mountains across the notch, shines like a mirror in the sunlight. Caution: Climbing Shining Rock without rock-climbing equipment and training is extremely dangerous. This steep ledge is wet and very slippery; several accidents involving serious injuries have occurred here to hikers who tried to scramble up the rock. to Shining Rock 44° 08' 24" 71° 39' 03" 0.40 mi 30 min +590 ft on Falling Waters Trail 3.20 mi 3 hr 9 min +2939 ft From the Shining Rock spur junction, the main trail continues north for a short distance, then turns right and climbs in a nearly straight line to the Franconia Ridge Trail at the summit of Little Haystack; the last 70 yd. of the trail is above treeline. to Little Haystack Mtn 44° 08' 26" 71° 38' 45" 1.80 mi 1 hr 1 min -514 ft on Franconia Ridge Trail 5.00 mi 4 hr 10 min +2426 ft This trail follows the backbone of the ridge that runs south from Mt. Lafayette, beginning on the summit of Lafayette at the junction of the Garfield Ridge and Greenleaf trails; passing over Mt. Lincoln, Little Haystack Mountain, Mt. Liberty, and Mt. Flume; and ending at a junction with the Flume Slide Trail and the Osseo Trail just south of Mt. Flume. Much work has been done to define and stabilize the trail and to reduce erosion; the late Guy Waterman and Laura Waterman, authors of several books on hiking and backcountry ethics in the Northeast, spent many hours observing each step taken by passing hikers to determine the best placement of individual rocks. Hikers are urged to stay on the trail to save the thin alpine soils and fragile vegetation. From Mt. Lafayette to the Liberty Spring Trail, this trail is part of the AT. Caution: The portion of the Franconia Ridge above the treeline from Lafayette to Little Haystack does not involve any unusually difficult or hazardous climbing, but it is almost constantly exposed to the full force of any storms and is dangerous in bad weather or high winds. In particular, because of the sharpness, narrowness, and complete exposure to weather of the ridge crest on Lafayette, Lincoln, and Little Haystack, the danger from lightning is unusually great, and this portion of the ridge should be avoided when electrical storms appear to be brewing. Franconia Ridge Trail continues to the south end of the Little Haystack summit ridge, enters the scrub and descends steeply over ledges for a short distance, with one fine view to the south, then moderates and follows the long, fairly gradual wooded ridge down to the Little Haystack– Liberty col. The trail then ascends easily to a jct. with the Liberty Spring Trail on the right. There is water at Liberty Spring Tentsite, 0.3 mi. down this trail. to the junction of Liberty Spring Trail 44° 07' 08" 71° 38' 34" leaving alpine zone 0.30 mi 15 min +192 ft on Franconia Ridge Trail 5.30 mi 4 hr 25 min +2618 ft Franconia Ridge Trail ascends to a small, ledgy crest, then swings right up ledges to the rocky summit of Mt. Liberty. to Mt Liberty 44° 06' 57" 71° 38' 32" 1.12 mi 47 min -117 ft on Franconia Ridge Trail 6.42 mi 5 hr 12 min +2500 ft The trail then makes a hairpin turn and descends to the east and then northeast. The descent is steep at first over ledges and large rocks, then moderates as the trail descends southeast toward the col. The trail passes through two small sags and ascends moderately over a knob, then continues up to the open summit of Mt. Flume. to Mt Flume 44° 06' 31" 71° 37' 41" 1.12 mi 51 min +117 ft on Franconia Ridge Trail

3 Distance Time Elev Trail / Waypoint Latitude Longitude Change 7.54 mi 6 hr 3 min +2618 ft From Mt. Flume, the trail descends across a lesser knob, crosses two small sags, and climbs moderately northwest, then steeply over ledges and large rocks, swinging southwest and then west to the open summit of Mt. Liberty. to Mt Liberty 44° 06' 57" 71° 38' 32" 0.30 mi 9 min -192 ft on Franconia Ridge Trail 7.84 mi 6 hr 12 min +2426 ft Franconia Ridge Trail descends northeast off the open summit of Mt. Liberty, swings left to a small ledgy crest, then descends into the woods and reaches a jct. on the left with Liberty Spring Trail. There is water at Liberty Spring Tentsite, 0.3 mi. down this trail. to the junction of Liberty Spring Trail 44° 07' 08" 71° 38' 34" entering alpine zone 1.80 mi 1 hr 17 min +514 ft on Franconia Ridge Trail 9.64 mi 7 hr 29 min +2939 ft Franconia Ridge Trail descends easily to the Liberty-Little Haystack col, then follows the long, fairly gradual wooded ridge towards Little Haystack. It ascends steeply over ledges for a short distance, with one fine view to the south, emerges from the scrub at the south end of the Little Haystack summit ridge, and soon reaches the junction with Falling Waters Trail on the left, just under the summit rock of Little Haystack Mountain. to Little Haystack Mtn 44° 08' 26" 71° 38' 45" 0.70 mi 34 min +324 ft on Franconia Ridge Trail 10.34 mi 8 hr 3 min +3263 ft From Little Haystack, the trail follows a broad, nearly level ridge crest in the open, with minor ups and downs, to the foot of Mt. Lincoln, then ascends sharply, keeping mostly just to the east of the crest of the knife-edged ridge between Mt. Lincoln and Little Haystack Mountain, which has steep slopes on both sides. It then climbs to the summit of Mt. Lincoln, with the high point just to the left of the trail. to Mt Lincoln 44° 08' 56" 71° 38' 40" 1.00 mi 44 min +162 ft on Franconia Ridge Trail 11.34 mi 8 hr 47 min +3425 ft The trail descends to a sag, climbs across a prominent hump (unofficially known as "Mt. Truman"), then descends to another sag, where it passes through a small scrub patch that might provide some shelter in bad weather. The trail then climbs at a moderate grade to the summit of Mt. Lafayette, passing to the right of the foundation of an 1850s summit house. Franconia Ridge Trail ends at the three-way jct. with Greenleaf Trail (left) and Garfield Ridge Trail (continuing ahead) just north of the summit. to Mt Lafayette 44° 09' 39" 71° 38' 40" 1.10 mi 34 min -1026 ft on Greenleaf Trail 12.44 mi 9 hr 21 min +2399 ft This trail runs from the Cannon Mountain Tramway parking lot on the west side of the Franconia Notch Parkway to Greenleaf Hut, where the Old Bridle Path joins, and thence to the summit of Mt. Lafayette, where it ends at the junction of the Franconia Ridge and Garfield Ridge trails. Until it reaches the hut, the trail is almost completely in the woods with few views, except when it traverses Eagle Pass, a wild, narrow cleft between Eagle Cliff and the west buttress of Mt. Lafayette that has many interesting cliff and rock formations. Just north of the summit of Mt. Lafayette, the Greenleaf Trail begins at the junction with the Garfield Ridge Trail (north) and the Franconia Ridge Trail (south). Descending from the signs at this three-way jct., Greenleaf Trail follows cairns slightly north of west for 250 yd., then swings right (north) and then left (southwest) around a large ledge on the left side from which a remarkable spring issues, very small but fairly reliable. The trail continues in the open at a moderate grade, sometimes on rock steps between stone walls. The trail enters the scrub, passes an open sandy area on the left, and then descends, passing over several minor knobs. The trail passes south of the Eagle Lakes, two picturesque shallow tarns (though the upper lake is rapidly becoming a bog). The Greenleaf Trail then rises slightly to Greenleaf Hut, where the Old Bridle Path leaves to the left. to AMC Greenleaf Hut 44° 09' 37" 71° 39' 38" leaving alpine zone 2.70 mi 1 hr 24 min -2337 ft on Old Bridle Path

4 Distance Time Elev Trail / Waypoint Latitude Longitude Change 15.14 mi 10 hr 45 +62 ft From Greenleaf Hut, the Old Bridle Path ascends slightly, then min crosses a small sag through a patch of dead trees. The trail then begins to descend the steep part of the ridge, sometimes called Agony Ridge (a name that originated with hut people who had to pack heavy loads up this steep section). It descends rather steeply at times with rough footing, passing several views. At one point, the trail struggles down a steep dike of slippery red-brown rock known as Red Rocks; at the top of this pitch is a fine outlook south and west on the left. Farther down there are several spectacular outlooks from the brink of the ravine. The trail drops off the ridge and makes a sharp right turn with rock steps at the edge of the ravine, where there is a glimpse of Mt. Lincoln through the trees. The trail swings away from the ravine, then comes back to the edge of the bank, high above the brook. It then swings right, away from the brook, and leaves the WMNF (sign). The trail swings to the left and descends at a moderate grade, then comes back to the brook and turns right to follow it. In 50 yd. Falling Waters Trail joins from the left, coming across Walker Brook on a bridge. to the junction of Falling Waters Trail 44° 08' 23" 71° 40' 46" 0.20 mi 6 min -62 ft on Old Bridle Path 15.34 mi 10 hr 51 0 ft Old Bridle Path and Falling Waters Trail coincide, soon following a min relocation to the left around a washout from the 2011 storm. The trails enter a clearing, pass the hiker information kiosk, and terminate at the parking lot on the east side of the parkway (reached from the west side by a paved path 0.1 mi. long). The parking lot is also a stop on the AMC's Hiker Shuttle route. to Old Bridle Path (Franconia Range), Falling Waters Trailhead 44° 08' 31" 71° 40' 53" This trail starts at the Lafayette Place parking lots (located on each side of the Franconia Notch Parkway). The trail leaves the parking lot (which is a stop for the AMC's Hiker Shuttle) on the east side of the parkway (reached from the west side by a paved path 0.1 mi. long) near the hiker information kiosk, in common with the Falling Waters Trail, and passes through a clearing into the woods.

15.34 mi 10 hr 51 0 ft Totals min

5 Disclaimer The use of this content is at your own risk. You acknowledge that (i) hiking, climbing and camping and related outdoor activities entail inherent risks and hazards, (ii) that conditions are variable and the content does not purport to be error-free or up to date, (iii) the presence of some warnings does not mean that all dangerous situations or changes in conditions will result in warnings on the AMC Site (and, thus, in this report), and (iv) ratings are very general, assume good weather and trail conditions and good physical fitness and constitute only one factor of many in a decision to hike a trail.

Important Phone Numbers Emergency 911 Appalachian Mountain Club Pinkham Notch Visitor Center 603-466-2721 AMC Reservations (huts, lodges) 603-466-2727 U.S. Forest Service 603-528-8721 National Weather Service 603-225-5191

Additional WMNF Information Camping is allowed anywhere in the WMNF, but is prohibited or restricted in Forest Protection Areas (FPAs). Generally, in Forest Protection Areas no camping is permitted above treeline (where trees are less than 8 feet tall), within ¼ mile of a trailhead or road, within 200 feet of a trail.

Wilderness Areas In accordance with USFS Wilderness policy, trails in designated Wilderness areas are generally maintained to a lower standard than trails outside Wilderness. They may be rough, overgrown or essentially unmarked with minimal signage, and considerable care may be required to follow them. Hiking and camping group size must be no larger than 10 people. Camping and fires are also prohibited above treeline (where trees are less than 8 feet tall) except in winter, when camping is permitted above treeline in places where snow cover is at least 2 feet, but not on any frozen body of water.

Alpine Zone Hikers are encouraged to be particularly careful in their activities above treeline because the plants that grow there already have to cope with the severity of the environment. No plants should ever be picked or otherwise damaged. Hikers are urged to stay on trails or walk very carefully on rocks so as not to kill fragile alpine vegetation. AMC urges hikers to become citizen-scientists and help AMC in alpine plant monitoring – see www.outdoors.org/mountainwatch for details.

Safety Tips from the Appalachian Mountain Club Here's the essential clothing and gear you need — even for a day hike — in the Northeast's mountains in the spring, summer, or fall. Always check the weather and prepare for the worst conditions; make plans with your group's abilities in mind; and plan an alternate route in case of bad weather, injury, illness, or slower than expected travel time.

Avoiding Hypothermia : Hypothermia can occur when your core body temperature falls below normal. This can easily happen when you are exposed to cold winds or wetness.

You can avoid hypothermia if you guard against dehydration, fatigue, cold winds, and wet clothes. Be sure to: Dress warmly, in layers. Stay dry. Protect yourself from wind, rain, and snow. (This can be done most effectively by wearing clothes that block wind and moisture.) Eat high-energy snacks and drink plenty of water. Do not over-exert. Pack essential gear, even on day hikes.

Essential Gear: Be sure to wear or bring the following: Wool sweater or synthetic pile jacket * Hat * Gloves or mittens Bandanna or handkerchief * Long pants (avoid cotton) Wind and rain gear (jacket and pants)

6 Extra socks * Sturdy boots * Polypropylene or wool underwear First-aid kit * Waterproof matches. * Whistle * Knife. Guidebook, trail map, and compass. * High-energy snacks. Two to four quarts of water, per person. * Flashlight or headlamp with fresh batteries. Sunscreen. * Insect repellent. * Plastic trash bags Consider carrying a sleeping bag in case you are forced to sleep out overnight. If you're traveling in a group, carry at least one sleeping bag. It is an emergency tool that can keep an injured hiker warm until help arrives.

For more advice on preparing for your next hike, see: www.outdoors.org/recreation/plan . AMC offers over 8,000 outdoor programs each year, offers a wide range of educational programs, and maintains over 1,700 miles of trails in the Northeast. Most of all, we rely on the support of hikers like you. To join, visit www.outdoors.org/membership .

AMC recommends hikers follow the hikeSafe Hiker Responsibility Code, and minimize their impact on the backcountry by following Leave No Trace principles. hikeSafe Hiker Responsibility Code

You are responsible for yourself, so be prepared:

With knowledge and gear. Become self reliant by learning about the terrain, conditions, local weather and your equipment before you start. To leave your plans. Tell someone where you are going, the trails you are hiking, when you will return and your emergency plans. To stay together . When you start as a group, hike as a group, end as a group. Pace your hike to the slowest person. To turn back. Weather changes quickly in the mountains. Fatigue and unexpected conditions can also affect your hike. Know your limitations and when to postpone your hike. The mountains will be there another day. For emergencies. Even if you are headed out for just an hour, an injury, severe weather or a wrong turn could become life threatening. Don’t assume you will be rescued; know how to rescue yourself. To share the hiker code with others. hikeSafe: It’s Your Responsibility. To learn more, see: www.hikesafe.com

The Hiker Responsibility Code was developed and is endorsed by the White Mountain National Forest and New Hampshire Fish and Game.

Leave No Trace principles to minimize backcountry impact Plan ahead and prepare. Know the terrain and any regulations applicable to the area you're planning to visit, and be prepared for extreme weather or other emergencies. Small groups have less impact on resources than large ones.

Travel and camp on durable surfaces, which include established trails and campsites, rock, gravel, dry grasses, or snow. Camp at least 200 feet from lakes and streams, and focus activities on areas where vegetation is absent.

Dispose of waste properly . Pack it in, pack it out. To wash yourself or your dishes, carry water 200 feet away from streams or lakes and use small amounts of biodegradable soap. Scatter strained dishwater.

Leave what you find. Cultural or historic artifacts, as well as natural objects such as plants or rocks, should be left as found.

Minimize campfire impacts . Cook on a stove. If a campfire is built, keep it small and use dead sticks found on the ground. Use established fire rings, fire pans, or mound fires.

Respect wildlife . View critters from a distance. Feeding wildlife alters their natural behavior.

Be considerate of other visitors . Be courteous, respect the quality of other visitors' backcountry experience, and let the natural sounds of the forest prevail.

The AMC partners with Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics , to provide Leave No Trace training in the East. For more on our LNT Master Educator training, see http://www.outdoors.org/recreation/leadership .