Trip report

Hostel Weekend: Lafayette-Lincoln Loop

Weekend Trip DATE: 09/30/2016 - 10/02/2016

Trip/Event Location: Lincoln, NH
US

Trip Leader(s): Gandalf , JDNnh

Max # People: 15

Trip Guiding / Event Fee: No, I will not be asking participants for money

Difficulty Level: Strenuous

Jon and I are running this hiking weekend from Rock ‘N River [Mike and Jon’s house] in the White Mountain National Forest for this getaway! It’s all about all of us having fun

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Driving directions to the location and spot to meet at:

We will provide directions to Rock ‘N River in a separate email to anyone who reserves a bunk.

Here are the directions to the trailhead if you will only be day hiking with us [We will meet you at 8:00AM]:  

Follow Interstate 93 north until it becomes the Franconia Notch Parkway. Pass parkway exit 1 as well as the unnumbered exit for The Basin, and turn off on the next unnumbered exit [should be a sign for trailhead parking.] We’ll be driving a blue Toyota Tacoma truck. 


Trip Report/Photos
Featured Photo

We arrived at the Lafayette Place parking area around 8:00 and after waiting for a member for about 15 minutes who did not show up we headed out on the trail. When we arrived at the Bus Stop, a rocky ledge 2/3 way to the hut, we could all see what was waiting for us. The ridge was clear at that time.  Farther up, at Red Rocks, we paused for more views down, with a nice view of Cannon and the ridge we were climbing. We saw the ridge being rained on and in a few minutes light showers came upon us.

The AMC's Greenleaf hut was still open and we took a well-deserved rest inside to get out of the showers. We warmed up inside, and had lunch. They were selling yummy snacks and hot coffee. About 15 minutes later the showers stopped and the ridge reappeared. It was colder and breezy so we put on some layers and continued on.

We passed Eagle Lake, with some nice views back to the hut and of Cannon Mountain and headed up to the summit. There were some more views back down. Finally, we made it to the summit of Lafayette. It was breezier up here with 360 degree views. There are foundations of the old horse barn on the summit, but we didn't need the extra shelter. We put on more clothes, had a snack, took some pictures, and headed south, towards Lincoln.

We were in the clear on the trip across the ridge. There were clear views into the Pemi peaks like Garfield, Owl’s Head and the Bonds. Clouds began to form over Lafayette and a cloud bubble over Little Haystack. On Lincoln, it was cold and windy, so we just paused a few minutes and continued. By the time we made it to the rocky section near Little Haystack it had gotten warmer again. The final section of the ridge is spectacular.

We gathered at the Little Haystack trail junction for more food and a brief rest.The views of the ridge leading back to Lincoln were inspiring. We could see where we had been. It was clear in the Notch and we could see the Cannon Cliffs.

On the way down we stopped at Shining Rock, a huge slab of granite with water flowing down it most of the year. This was our final rest stop for the trip. We descended the Falling Waters trail, enjoying the great waterfalls and cascades in the fall leaves. We finished around 4:45 and headed back to our house for dinner. Steve and Rich stopped in briefly to say hello…the had hiked the Tripyramids and camping at the next Campton Campground. 
 

Pictures by Jon Normand
Trip Report by Mike Boisvert

What Members Are Saying About This Trip/Event

  • One of the best hikes in The Whites - the cloud wave over the ridge made it even more memorable! - JDNnh

Members That Participated

Gandalf

Outdoor Fitness Level: Very Strenuous


Thornton, NH


United States

Attended
JDNnh

Outdoor Fitness Level: Very Strenuous


Thornton, NH


United States

Attended
JR

Outdoor Fitness Level: Strenuous


Boston, MA


United States

Attended
DaveNorthEast

Outdoor Fitness Level: Moderate to Strenuous


Raynham, MA


United States

Attended
HikerBlue

Outdoor Fitness Level: Strenuous


Braintree, MA


United States

Attended
JDNnh Oct 3, 2016 at 9:05 AM

Comment: One of the best hikes in The Whites - the cloud wave over the ridge made it even more memorable!

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