White Mountain National Forest: Franconia Ridge-Cannon Mountain-Lonesome Lake Loop
Travel the rugged spines of Franconia and Kinsman Ridges on this 13.8-miler that offers five summits, numerous campsites, and unrivaled views.
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-Mapped by Michael Aubin
Trail Facts
- Distance: 21.9
Waypoints
FRA001
Location: 44.1116790771484, -71.6819686889648
Follow Liberty Spring Trail E for easy climb on old logging road. In .6 mi., go L @ Y with Flume Slide Trail
FRA002
Location: 44.1112937927246, -71.6642303466797
Trail winds NE under hardwoods; pass Liberty Spring tent site in 1.1 mi.
FRA003
Location: 44.1191062927246, -71.6426849365234
R @ T onto Franconia Ridge Trail. Ahead, leave woods for rock ledges
FRA004
Location: 44.1156196594238, -71.6425399780274
Mt. Liberty (4,459 ft.): From ledgy summit, see E across Pemigewasset Wilderness. Retrace to WPT 3; straight @ 3-way for N trek along Franconia’s narrow backbone
FRA005
Location: 44.1402206420898, -71.6452331542969
Straight @ 3-way; traverse boulder-strewn Little Haystack Mtn. Next, head N; views of wooded peaks and valleys
FRA006
Location: 44.1483612060547, -71.6446914672852
Mt. Lincoln (5,089 ft.): Tread lightly on fragile alpine tundra. Continue N
FRA007
Location: 44.160270690918, -71.6442794799805
Mt. Lafayette (5,260 ft.). Look NE and E @ Twins, Owls Head, and Bonds. Turn L onto Greenleaf Trail for descent of ridge
FRA008
Location: 44.1602516174316, -71.660530090332
Bear R @ Y; Greenleaf Hut on R. Franconia Range is stunning backdrop
FRA009
Location: 44.168083190918, -71.682746887207
Head NW, paralleling parkway to underpass, then parking lot, then well-marked Kinsman Ridge Trail to Cannon Mtn. summit
FRA010
Location: 44.1566925048828, -71.6984405517578
Pass tower and tram station. In .4 mi., stay R @ Y with Hi-Cannon Trail
FRA011
Location: 44.1507339477539, -71.7068252563476
Bear L @ Y onto Lonesome Lake Trail for descent to lake. In .7 mi., R @ T
FRA012
Location: 44.1379432678223, -71.7040634155274
Pass Lonesome Lake Hut, then L @ 3-way. Cross brook; L @ T onto Cascade Brook Trail. In .3 mi., R @ 3-way, then quick R onto Lonesome Lake Trail to campground
FRA013
Location: 44.1425590515137, -71.6845932006836
Set up camp @ Lafayette Campground, or shuttle back to trailhead