Explore 2020 Northeast - view hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers and nature lovers like you.
Best hike in New England
reviewed Mount Lafayette and Franconia Ridge Trail Loop
April 15, 2021Done on 4/14. Took 8 hrs. Made it back just by sunset. Lot of snow on the falling water trail slowed us down significantly. We had crampons and yak tracks. Reached little haystack by 3pm and we had a few people recommend we turn around. Special thank you to the nice woman we met at greenleaf hut for her advice. Amazing hike! Don’t underestimate it!
reviewed Mount Lafayette and Franconia Ridge Trail LoopApril 12, 2021I hiked this loop on 4/10/2021. However, my phone battery died and stopped recording. I hiked up the Falling Waters trail to the viewpoint which adds another .2 miles out and back. The trail was mostly a monorail of snow/ice and, as such, microspikes were used mostly the entire way to the top of Mount Haystack. Once reaching the top, the views were spectacular on this sunny, clear day. It is no wonder why this ridge is viewed by many as the best hike in the Whites. The trip down to Greenleaf Hut and back down Bridal Path included many iterations of putting on microspikes and taking them off. Once again, the views were phenomenal and I would highly recommend this hike.
Hiked Sunday, absolutely gorgeous day, fairly warm, especially on the ridge. Micro spikes needed up falling waters trail the most, wouldn’t have made it up that without them. Ridge was completely clear of snow and a couple spots where the spikes were needed again going down old bridle. Overall great hike and it was fun to foot slide down the snowy parts with spikes on.
trail was in great shape no mud, mostly dry or mono rail ice in woods. crampons needed fir icy areas up and down. but the views were incredible
I found the car keys to an Audi right where the path splits. I couldn't find the owner in the mountain and the car wasn't in the parking lot. If you are the owner please lmk so I can mail the keys to you
Ok to bareboot going up and used spikes most of the way down. Lots of folks out today.
Great weather-snowier than expected and should’ve brought spikes but didn’t feel inhibited by not having them
awesome
April 10, 2021April 10, 2021Simply beautiful and majestic the whole way through. Micro spikes pretty critical, especially during the snowy/icy ascent. You’ll thank yourself for taking them. Sneakers will make it nearly impossible to reach the top. Trail map says ~8 miles, but my IPhone logged 11 miles, probably from some wandering I did. Total time was 6.5 hours, which includes a lunch break at the peak and the views stopping me dead in my tracks many times. Well worth it, but boy are my legs sore today. I brought 2 water bottles and still got thirsty, so be well-stocked!
reviewed Mount Lafayette and Franconia Ridge Trail LoopApril 9, 2021Up OBP Trail to Lafayette and across ridge all the way to Mt Flume and down Osseo Trail to Lincoln Woods. Great spring day. Trail a mix of snow, ice, and bare ground. Spikes up OBP until a quarter mile above the Hut then bareboots over the ridge to Falling Waters Trail. Then snowshoes to Liberty summit cone. Then bareboots up that before swap back to spikes over to Flume and down the Osseo Trail before running out of snow and back to bareboots about half way down to Lincoln Woods Trail. My phone rebooted so I lost the last couple of miles recorded. About 12 hours on trail and generally a great day. Only tough spot was the col between Little Haystack and Liberty where we postholed despite snowshoes (would have been worse without them). And the upper Osseo Trail was steep and slippery with wet snow and ice
Awesome views
Great hike yesterday (Sunday).
nice slushy monorail. lake was still frozen. definitely wear microspikes.
