Franconia Ridge: Mount Lafayete (5,260'), Mount Lincoln (5,089'), Little Haystack Mountain

DWARF CINQUEFOIL

You knew I’d be fooled by showy petals

of mountain avens, and distracted by

dancing acrobats of ravens above

that, with enough time, I’d know

I didn’t need to find your toothy leaves

to have a story to tell, or make me whole

I just needed to grip, and then let go

to grip and then let go, to feel

how time is different on the ridge

You were right to seek out lonely places

finding crevices beyond the scree wall

to hide in the shadows, even from me

 

 Summit of Mount Lincoln (sign credits: Rose Kiok-Kirshenbaum)

  Summit of Mount Lafayete (sign credits: Rose Kiok-Kirshenbaum)

Hike level: Moderate

Location: Franconia, NH

Driving distance from Boston: About 2.5 hours

Cost: FREE to hike, overnight stay option at AMC's Greenleaf Hut

Description: Franconia Ridge Loop includes Little Haystack Mountain, Mount Lincoln and Mount Lafayette. The loop can be hiked in either direction. We hiked up Falling Waters Trail, passing waterfalls up to the ridge, then followed the Franconia Ridge Trail, (part of the AT) over to Lincoln and Lafayette, two NH48 mountains. From Lafayette, we hiked down to the hut for dinner and stayed overnight. After breakfast at the hut the next day, we finished the loop, hiking out Old Bridle Path . Total elevation gain: 3425 ft. Total mileage: 8.90 miles over 2 days.