Trip report

Franconia Ridge Hike & Potluck

4000 Footer DATE: 05/28/2023 - 05/28/2023

Trip/Event Location: Franconia, NH

Trip Leader(s): Bobcat

Max # People: 12

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

Difficulty Level: Strenuous

Let's kick off the Summer Hiking Season on one of the most scenic trails on the White Mountains.  This hike is 8.1 miles long with a total elevation gain of about 3800ft.  We will hike

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Driving directions to the location and spot to meet at:

FYI: Because it's Memorial Day Weekend, the trailhead parking may be crowded or full.  Parking is not allowed along the road.

Parking Option #1: Hikers can meet at my house at Sugar Hill NH (15 minutes from the trailhead) and then we will carpool/shuttle over to the Trailhead between 730-740AM. (I will spot a car at the trailhead the night before to guarantee we have a parking spot.)   

Parking Option #2: Hikers can park at the Franconia Falling Waters/Old Bridle Path trailhead at Franconia Notch State Park- we will meet at the trailhead at 755AM for a 8AM start.

Please email me if you need directions to the house and/or would like to carpool over to the trailhead or stay over.


Trip Report/Photos
Featured Photo

Bob- Thank you so much for leading this stunning hike up Franconia Ridge!  We couldn’t have asked for better weather or company.   And thank you (and John) for being such warm and welcoming hosts for the potluck.  It was the perfect way to spend the holiday weekend.  

Trip Report:

It was a perfect weekend to kick of the Summer Hiking Season: Sunny clear weather with daytime temps in the 80s & cool pleasant evenings.

On Saturday evening, we enjoyed a delicious pre-hike Carbo Load potluck dinner get together.  Carl, JT, & Jason decided to camp out by the pond and were lulled to sleep by endless critter sounds (frogs, owls, coyote, & bear) during the night.

On Sunday morning after breakfast, we met at the trailhead at 8AM & ascended the Falling Waters Trail.  The trail was dry and mostly ice free with beautiful waterfalls powered by the spring snowmelt.  We quickly reached Franconia Ridge and after a leisurely break continued along the ridge to Mt. Lincoln & Mt. Lafayette.  The weather was perfect on the summits- sunny -about 60F with a moderate breeze.  After lunch on the summit, we continued down to the hut, enjoyed a sunny break & AMC soup & then hiked down the Old Bridle Path trail to the trailhead.  The trails were very busy- so lots of eye candy especially along the ridge and on the descent.  The only minor injury was that Ricardo fell while descending Agony Hill & dislocated his finger. (I guess that’s why they call it Agony Hill).  JT & others helped to patch him up with a First Aid kit & he was able to get medical attention after we reached the bottom.

We all returned to Bear Pond for hot showers, swimming in the pond, drinks and a pot luck dinner on the deck and around the wood stove.

Thanks so much to all the GO hikers for your excellent potluck contributions & for making this a really fun & memorable weekend!

  There are 17 photos in Album (Note: Move mouse pointer over larger pic and click on NEXT for better viewing)

What Members Are Saying About This Trip/Event

  • Thanks for the great hike, and letting us camp out with the frog and bear chorus. :) - Twigs
  • Thanks so much for having me on this gorgeous hike! You all inspire me to hike more and enjoy more of the great outdoors! - Gene

Members That Participated

Bobcat

Outdoor Fitness Level: Strenuous


Upton, MA


United States
nhclimber03264

Outdoor Fitness Level: Moderate to Strenuous


Plymouth, NH


United States
Carl

Outdoor Fitness Level: Strenuous


Leominster, MA


United States
Bushwack

Outdoor Fitness Level: Strenuous


Hanover, NH


United States
Ricardo

Outdoor Fitness Level: Moderate to Strenuous


Boston, MA


United States
Twigs

Outdoor Fitness Level: Strenuous


Townsend, MA


United States
HPC72

Outdoor Fitness Level: Moderate to Strenuous


New Taipei City , OT


Taiwan
mecyclingrunner

Outdoor Fitness Level: Moderate to Strenuous


LEWISTON, ME


United States
jmahoney

Outdoor Fitness Level: Strenuous


Boston, MA


United States
Gene

Outdoor Fitness Level: Moderate


Leominster, MA


United States
Twigs May 30, 2023 at 6:05 AM

Comment: Thanks for the great hike, and letting us camp out with the frog and bear chorus. :)

Gene May 29, 2023 at 9:48 PM

Comment: Thanks so much for having me on this gorgeous hike! You all inspire me to hike more and enjoy more of the great outdoors!

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