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About


Little Haystack Mountain, Mt. Lincoln, Mt. Truman, Mt. Lafayette
Franconia, NH, Lincoln, NH

Trailheads, measurements, times, distances, and maps are all approximate and relative to the hike(s) as shown below.
Looking up the Falling Waters Trail
Looking up the Falling Waters Trail

Route: Old Bridle Path, Falling Waters Trail, (Little Haystack Mountain), Franconia Ridge Trail, (Mt. Lincoln), Franconia Ridge Trail, (Mt. Truman), Franconia Ridge Trail, (Mt. Lafayette), Greenleaf Trail, Old Bridle Path

With the first quasi-summer temperatures of the year, I was itching to get outside. Thus, I took off a few hours and headed out for the day a bit early.

The bluebird day and warm temperatures helped get me moving, despite being somewhat tired. The Falling Waters Trail was quite scenic, as the numerous waterfalls were roaring. Of course, the trail was also packed with folks descending at the end of their loops.

Shortly before reaching treeline, I passed the last people I would see all day. Thus, I had the entire alpine zone portion of the hike (as well as the descent) completely to myself - just about impossible on the Franconia Ridge in good weather!

While much of the ridge was bare (except for some drifts from the recent snow), the descent off Mt. Lafayette was brutal - the recent snow was covering up slush and running water, making things very slippery and wet. As a result, the hut was quite a welcome sight.

The Old Bridle Path wasn't much better, until I finally dropped below the new-snow line. After that, things were increasingly easier, eventually transitioning to dry, bare ground.

Other than the nasty hodgepodge of spring conditions, it was a beautiful afternoon/evening for a hike!


Hike Ratings
Getting To Trailhead: Easy
Destination: Little Haystack Mountain
Length: Moderate
Steepness: Difficult
Navigation: Easy
Views: Excellent
Crowds: Heavy
Destination: Mt. Lincoln
Length: Moderate
Steepness: Difficult
Navigation: Easy
Views: Excellent
Crowds: Minimal
Destination: Mt. Truman
Length: Difficult
Steepness: Moderate
Navigation: Moderate
Views: Excellent
Crowds: Minimal
Destination: Mt. Lafayette
Length: Difficult
Steepness: Moderate
Navigation: Moderate
Views: Excellent
Crowds: Minimal


Hike Stats
Date Hiked: Friday, April 24, 2009
Hike Commenced: 1:51 PM
Parking Elevation: 1,770'
Destination: Little Haystack Mountain
Ascent Commenced: 1:52 PM
Summit Reached: 3:48 PM
Time Elapsed: 01:56
Trailhead Elevation: 1,785'
Summit Elevation: 4,780'
Vertical Gain: 3,195'
Destination: Mt. Lincoln
Ascent Commenced: 3:48 PM
Summit Reached: 4:14 PM
Time Elapsed: 00:26
Trailhead Elevation: 4,780'
Summit Elevation: 5,089'
Vertical Gain: 469'
Destination: Mt. Truman
Ascent Commenced: 4:17 PM
Summit Reached: 4:31 PM
Time Elapsed: 00:14
Trailhead Elevation: 5,089'
Summit Elevation: 5,000'
Vertical Gain: 130'
Destination: Mt. Lafayette
Ascent Commenced: 4:33 PM
Summit Reached: 4:54 PM
Time Elapsed: 00:21
Trailhead Elevation: 5,000'
Summit Elevation: 5,260'
Vertical Gain: 380'
Hike Ended: 7:32 PM
Hike Time Elapsed: 05:41
Hike Distance: 9 miles
Hike Vertical Gain: 4,354'


Old Bridle Path trailhead
Old Bridle Path trailhead

Looking south from near the summit of Little Haystack Mountain - Click to enlarge
Looking south from near the summit of Little Haystack Mountain

The Franconia Ridge Trail on the way to Mt. Lincoln
The Franconia Ridge Trail on the way to Mt. Lincoln

Looking over the Twins and Bonds at the Presidentials from Mt. Lincoln - Click to enlarge
Looking over the Twins and Bonds at the Presidentials from Mt. Lincoln

The Franconia Ridge Trail on the way to Mt. Truman
The Franconia Ridge Trail on the way to Mt. Truman

Mt. Garfield as seen from Mt. Truman - Click to enlarge
Mt. Garfield as seen from Mt. Truman

Looking the Franconia Ridge Trail between Mt. Truman and Mt. Lafayette
Looking the Franconia Ridge Trail between Mt. Truman and Mt. Lafayette

Looking southeast from Mt. Lafayette - Click to enlarge
Looking southeast from Mt. Lafayette

Topographic map of Little Haystack Mountain, Mt. Lincoln, Mt. Truman, Mt. Lafayette - Click to enlarge


Directions to trailhead: Take Interstate 93 north from Lincoln to the Lafayette Place exit.

Back to Little Haystack Mountain Profile
Back to Mt. Lincoln Profile
Back to Mt. Truman Profile
Back to Mt. Lafayette Profile




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