Lincoln & Lafayette - September 22, 2026

We had an absolutely perfect early fall weather day for this epic hike up to and along the Franconia Ridge, with it's famous unmatched and unending views. The start was quite cool, but with barely any breeze, and the air mass was clear and dry. Twelve of us (yikes!) started up the Falling Waters Trail, for a counter-clockwise loop, while later another four started up the Greenleaf Trail, going clockwise. This hike was a large draw, partly for its being such a favorite, and partly for the celebration to come afterward (read on!).

After three hours of  steady elevation gain (3000 ft), we came out of the trees onto Little Haystack. This peak, at 4,760 ft elevation, doesn't even count on the 48 4K list, for lack of  200 ft of "prominence" above the ridge connecting it to Mt Lincoln (5089 ft) just to the north. Here we began a ridge hike of over two miles above treeline. The views to the west are down to the highway up through the notch, across to Lonesome Lake (which can't be seen from the highway) and the two Kinsmans, plus Cannon Mountain, with its own famous cliff. The view to the south takes in Mts Liberty and Flume, and beyond that to the top of the Loon Mtn ski area. To the east is the Pemigewasset Wilderness, which can't be seen from any highway. In that eastward foreground is the long Owls Head ridge, and beyond it the three Bonds. Far away Mt Washington is quite visible. At the north end of the wilderness is Mt Garfield, where we had been just two weeks ago (in the clouds). Then, straight north, is the Franconia Ridge itself, with the trail quite visible over the rocks.

Hiking that 1.7 miles of ridge took us over Mt Lincoln, Mt Truman (many don't realize that bump has a name!), and finally to Mt Lafayette (5260 ft). Reaching this peak marked the end of an impressive milestone for two of our OTHH crew. Marie completed her "over 75" round of the 48 4K, and Pat completed her "over 80" round! Below are Marie and Pat, at the summit, and then we have the twelve of us in the "counter-clockwise group." From the left, we see Brenda, Leanne, Michele, Marie, Becky, Jonathan, Ginger, Deb, Andy, Jane, Dick, and Pat. Not shown are Doug, Pam, Chris, and Steve, who had crossed paths with our group along the ridge, then rejoined us later at the cars for the party.

 

 

After three hours of descent, we all were ready to be done, and ready to party, with cake, brownies, cookies, and bubbly! It was a notable celebration of what Marie and Pat had finished.