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About


Mt. Liberty, Mt. Flume
Lincoln, NH

Trailheads, measurements, times, distances, and maps are all approximate and relative to the hike(s) as shown below.
Looking up the Franconia Ridge Trail near Mt. Liberty
Looking up the Franconia Ridge Trail near Mt. Liberty

Route: Bike path, bushwhack, Liberty Spring Trail, Franconia Ridge Trail, (Mt. Liberty), Franconia Ridge Trail, (Mt. Flume) Franconia Ridge Trail, (Mt. Liberty), Franconia Ridge Trail, Liberty Spring Trail, bushwhack, bike path

While the forecast was for snow, it was also for warmer temperatures and minimal winds. Thus, the southern Franconia Ridge seemed like a good destination.

After parking at the Basin, we headed south on the snowmobile trail, looking for the entrance to the old trail to the Liberty Spring Trail. Normally looking for a tree stump, the new snow obscured it a bit. Nonetheless, we found the boulder near it and were on our way.

The Liberty Spring Trail was a bit beat up for barebooting, however we were able to pack it out with our snowshoes. Reaching Mt. Liberty, we had minimal winds - and minimal views.

Near the lowpoint of the Franconia Ridge between the peaks, we stopped for lunch. Beyond there, we dealt with some snowdrifts as we worked out way to Mt. Flume - once again, no views.

For the return trip, we did some trail maintenance, as to clean things up prior to the potential weekend snowfall. Once back on the snowmobile trail, we found ourselves stepping aside to let dozens of sleds pass by.


Hike Ratings
Getting To Trailhead: Moderate
Destination: Mt. Liberty
Length: Moderate
Steepness: Difficult
Navigation: Easy
Views: Minimal (due to weather)
Crowds: Minimal
Destination: Mt. Flume
Length: Moderate
Steepness: Difficult
Navigation: Easy
Views: Minimal (due to weather)
Crowds: Minimal


Hike Stats
Date Hiked: Friday, January 1, 2010
Hike Commenced: 8:12 AM
Parking Elevation: 1,520'
Destination: Mt. Liberty
Ascent Commenced: 8:19 AM
Summit Reached: 10:59 AM
Time Elapsed: 02:40
Trailhead Elevation: 1,470'
Summit Elevation: 4,459'
Vertical Gain: 3,049'
Destination: Mt. Flume
Ascent Commenced: 11:00 AM
Summit Reached: 12:03 PM
Time Elapsed: 01:03
Trailhead Elevation: 4,459'
Summit Elevation: 4,328'
Vertical Gain: 438'
Hike Ended: 3:10 PM
Hike Time Elapsed: 06:58
Hike Vertical Gain: 4,206'


The start of the bushwhack to the Liberty Spring Trail from the bike path
The start of the bushwhack to the Liberty Spring Trail from the bike path

Looking at clouds from the Mt. Liberty summit - Click to enlarge
Looking at clouds from the Mt. Liberty summit

The Franconia Ridge Trail between Mt. Flume and Mt. Liberty
The Franconia Ridge Trail between Mt. Flume and Mt. Liberty

Looking at clouds from the Mt. Flume summit - Click to enlarge
Looking at clouds from the Mt. Flume summit




Directions to trailhead: Take Interstate 93 north from Lincoln to the Basin. Walk south down the bike path - just prior to reaching a grassy, old road on the right (where the bike path gets close to the highway), start the bushwhack on the left. After crossing a brook, an old logging road can be found a bit to the left, eventually meeting up with the hairpin turn in the Liberty Spring Trail

Back to Mt. Liberty Profile
Back to Mt. Flume Profile




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