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Mt. Lafayette, Mt. Lincoln, Little Haystack Mtn. ![]()
Route Summary This is a loop hike starting and ending at the Lafayette Place parking area. It summits Little Haystack Mountain, Mount Lincoln and Mount Lafayette, all of which rise well over 4,000 feet (over 5,000 for Lincoln and Lafayette) and offer staggering views. The 1.6-mile segment between Little Haystack and Lafayette is atop an open ridge. During the ascent on Falling Waters Trail, there is about a half-mile stretch along Dry Brook where you will be treated to several cascades, including Stairs Falls, Swiftwater Falls (60 feet), and Cloudland Falls (80 feet). ![]()
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Trail Guide The weather gods were smiling down on Franconia Ridge this past Saturday, providing perfect hiking conditions for the ten ambitious souls that tackled three 4,000-footers in one fell swoop. Most of the day was spent garbed in a single layer with some adding a jacket when we got above treeline where the gusting wind frequently knocked us off balance. ![]() After breaking treeline, we quickly reached the top of Little Haystack at 4,760 feet. The summit rock afforded views in every direction as well as complete exposure to the ferocious wind. Although it was somewhat hazy, the number of mountains that presented themselves was striking. After being battered by the blasts, we stepped down to the lee side of the boulder and enjoyed a leisurely lunch. ![]() Reluctantly, we headed down the open rocks to make our way back to the parking area via Greenleaf Trail and Old Bridle Path. Pam was adding rocks to the cairns we passed in memory of cancer victims that she had worked with. We could see Marj way ahead of us because she was wearing a bright orange hunter's cap and informed us that hunting season starts tomorrow so we should take care when out in the woods. After a mile we reached Eagle Lakes (a small tarn and a bog) at Greenleaf Hut. The hut was closed for the season. Although the lake is small, it provided a great foreground to the towering ridges that we had just descended. Entering the woods, Old Bridle Path was steep, rocky, and slippery for quite a distance. The nearly leafless woods furnished us with ample views out towards Cannon, Kinsman Ridge, and back to Franconia Ridge. We came upon a colorful grove where bright white birch trunks were intertwined with the vibrant red berry clusters of sumac. Other interesting trees included one that looked like a 3-legged table with a thick trunk sprouting out of it; and a beech tree covered in claw marks, marking it as a favorite of the bears. The last mile was over comfortable grades and as we were nearing the end of the trail, we watched the sun tucking itself behind Kinsman Ridge, beautifully marking the end to great day. |
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![]() The trailhead for this hike is located on the east side of Franconia Notch and is accessed from the Lafayette Place parking area on I-93 in Franconia Notch State Park. There are parking areas on both sides of the Parkway (I-93) with a foot-travel tunnel running underneath the highway connecting the two points. Traveling northbound on I-93:
Traveling southbound on I-93:
Other Notes Franconia Notch Hiker Shuttle Parking lots can fill up quickly in Franconia Notch State Park, especially on weekends and during foliage season. Parking alongside the road is not allowed. A hiker shuttle (about $5 roundtrip per person) is available to transport folks between the trailheads and a large overflow parking area. Please refer to the New Hampshire State Parks website to see details for the Franconia Notch Hiker Shuttle. More Mt. Lafayette, Mt. Lincoln, Little Haystack Trail Reports
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