• Welcome to AlpineZone, the largest online community of skiers and snowboarders in the Northeast!

    You may have to REGISTER before you can post. Registering is FREE, gets rid of the majority of advertisements, and lets you participate in giveaways and other AlpineZone events!

Franconia National Park

Dmiller27

New member
Joined
Jan 6, 2013
Messages
84
Points
0
I am headed up to Waterville this weekend and was curious what are the "must hike" trails around Franconia Notch that everyone recommends?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk 4
 

thetrailboss

Moderator
Staff member
Moderator
Joined
Jun 4, 2004
Messages
32,329
Points
113
Location
NEK by Birth
Weather and conditions permitting, the standard route is Falling Waters/Bridle Path loop over Lafayette with a stop at Greenleaf. Bridle Path is very slippery in places though...so be aware.

IIRC it is about 8 miles and something like 4,500 vertical of climbing, so it is not for the weary. And it will be busy, but the views are amazing.

If you don't feel like hiking, a Tram Ride is also a good bet.
 

Cannonball

New member
Joined
Oct 18, 2007
Messages
3,669
Points
0
Location
This user has been deleted
Lafayette and Franconia Ridge may be the best hike in NH. The route Trailboss describes is good. It can be extended to 13+ to cover more of the ridge if you're up for it.

Cannon and Mittersill have a new 'official' hiking trail loop. That would be a cool one to do for the novelty and the views. Steve Smith has a recent blog post about here http://mountainwandering.blogspot.com/2013/09/mittersill-to-cannon-9913-after-getting.html. Steve's blog is a great one to follow for hiking. Also consider stopping in at his Mountain Wanderer book store on Main St in Lincoln to pick up trail maps and get even more first hand info from one of the most knowledgeable hikers around.

As Hammer says, Welch-Dickey is a great, easy hike. Not in FNSP but closer to you in Waterville. Perfect time of year for foliage views from the clear summits.

Moosilauke is also not in FNSP but is a damn good hike. I just did it on Saturday. The trails are in great shape and the views were amazing. ~8miles & 5hrs. Nice steady, moderate grade in both directions.

FYI on your thread title. It's State Park not a National Park. Which is only important to mention since the National parks might have some shutdown issues this weekend but the State parks won't.
 

Dmiller27

New member
Joined
Jan 6, 2013
Messages
84
Points
0
Thanks I'm def doing bridal and dickey loop


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
 

thetrailboss

Moderator
Staff member
Moderator
Joined
Jun 4, 2004
Messages
32,329
Points
113
Location
NEK by Birth
Would he need a WMNF Pass for the Welch-Dickey Loop? If so, the government shutdown might be an issue, but then again there would be nobody to enforce the parking.
 

JDMRoma

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 20, 2013
Messages
1,253
Points
48
Location
Hudson NH
Would he need a WMNF Pass for the Welch-Dickey Loop? If so, the government shutdown might be an issue, but then again there would be nobody to enforce the parking.
Last time I did welch Dickey I thought there was one of those honor pay things, get the sticker or something like that
could be wrong ....im heading up on Saturday to do it or one off of Crawfords ridge on 302 past BW. May have to stop in for my seasons pass :)
 

thetrailboss

Moderator
Staff member
Moderator
Joined
Jun 4, 2004
Messages
32,329
Points
113
Location
NEK by Birth
Which mountain off of Crawford's?

And it is a good time to re-up the season pass.
 

JDMRoma

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 20, 2013
Messages
1,253
Points
48
Location
Hudson NH
Which mountain off of Crawford's?

And it is a good time to re-up the season pass.
I was thinking short hikes, Frankensteins cliff and the falls or the Zealand trail once you take the right on 302 coming off of route 3.
Any excuse to stop by and pick up my pass :)
 

MeMaw

New member
Joined
Oct 9, 2013
Messages
10
Points
0
Love hiking. Can't wait to hit these NH mountains in the future!
 

skifree

New member
Joined
Oct 16, 2012
Messages
664
Points
0
have hiked mt Osceola when I have stayed in Waterville. very nice
 

ecarrizo

New member
Joined
Jan 20, 2014
Messages
6
Points
0
I know the thread is getting on in months but I can't resist. Love the Franconia Ridge Traverse.
 
Top