New Hampshire Mountain Vacations
Franconia Notch’s Best Hiking and Attractions for the Whole Family
Jul 7, 2008
Whether day-tripping, taking a long weekend or a family vacation, visitros to Franconia Notch in New Hampshire’s White Mountains, find natural wonders, forest hiking and walking trails, healthy exercise and enough other attractions and amusements to keep everyone busy.
On the south end of the park, behind The Basin, look for the Cascades Trail to Kinsman Falls. The falls are a series of long cascades of water over sloping granite ledges. Some bring along their bathing suits and slide down natural waterslides into pools below, but be careful – the ledges are slippery. This is a short hike with a cool ending.
At the head of the Notch the small Profile Lake lures fly fishermen. High above it The Old Man of the Mountain once brought travelers to look at the cliffs. That rock profile, the state symbol, fell in 2003. Even without the Old Man, the view is worth the short walk to the lake.
Bald Mountain and Artist’s Bluff are a pair of short hikes (about 1.5 miles) that reward with good views of Cannon Mountain and others. The trailhead is on Route 18 across from the ski area’s Peabody base lodge. A steep path to the left, about 1,2300 feet from the start, leads to the top of Bald Mountain. Double back and continue on the main trail up and along the ridge, eventually returning to Route 18 near Echo Lake. Watch for an unmarked trail to the left that leads to Artists Bluff.
Echo Lake itself is a good place for a hot summer day, with a public beach. At just under 2,000 feet altitude, the lake has views of Cannon Mountain and of neighboring Lafayette Mountain. Echo, unlike its neighbor lake Profile – a few hundred feet down the road, is on the west side of the watershed and its waters end up in the Connecticut River. Swimming, light boating and fishing are permitted in the lake.
Leaving from the Lafayette Camping Area parking lot, the Lonesome Lake Trail climbs just over a mile up to isolated Lonesome Lake, high above in the Notch. The gain in altitude is about 1,000 feet. At the lake, take the Around Lonesome Lake Trail, about .8 mile. You will pass the Lonesome Lake AMC Hut, popular with long-distance hikers in the White Mountains. The main trail continues on up to the summit of Cannon Mountain and to connections with other trails.
Whenever hiking in the White Mountains remember that these are wilderness areas. Be sure to wear appropriate study shoes, preferably with ankle support, carry a jacket (temps can vary widely) and carry plenty of water. To learn about hiking and walking trails in Franconia Notch, stop at the White Mountain Attractions Visitors Center at Exit 32, I-93), or get a copy of the AMC White Mountain Trail Guide, which comes with excellent maps.
A visit to Franconia Notch wouldn’t be complete without a side trip up Mount Washington aboard the Mount Washington Cog Railway. Opened in July 1869 after 10 years of labor, the “Railway to the Moon” carries visitors from the base station up the side of the mountain to the highest peak in the Northeastern US. On clear days visitors can see several states -- and the ocean -- from the top. The mountain is famous for its unpredictable weather and sudden changes, so be sure to bring jackets and headgear even when it’s a hot day at the base.
