Old Bridle Path to Falling Waters

Hike Name: Old Bridle Path to Falling Waters Location: north NH Length: 8.9 Submitted by: Craig Mariani Date Submitted: 0/0/00 Rating:	more New Hampshire trail reviews New Hampshire national parks New Hampshire state parks
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Description
Old Bridla Path to Falling Waters, or "Agony Ridge" as coined by the locals, is a beauty of a loop-hike. It's perfect for a beginning hiker looking for a challenge or a seasoned hiker looking for a great workout and some great pictures. Start at the Lafayette Place Campground and hike up 2.9 miles of Old Bridle Path to Greenleaf Hut. This hut is one of only 8 AMC Mountain huts. It is an extremely popular place for dayhikers as they have bathrooms, plentiful literature about trails throughout NH and its surroundings, and lots of cold well-water to refill the ol' water bottle. The hut also sleeps 48 if you would like to spend the night, but be sure to get in touch with the crew (or, the croo, as they call themselves) well in advance and make reservations as it fills up quickly. The trip up to the hut is filled with many open ledged views of sistering mountains Lincoln and Little Haystack, as well as the awesome Walker Ravine, a trailless wonder filled with evergreens and creeks. After making your stop at Greenleaf Hut, continue upward 1.1 miles to the peak of Mt Lafayette, Franconia Notch's highest peak at 5,260 feet. From here, have a rest and eat your lunch because you'll want to spend hours looking at the the Presidential Range, with Mt Washington's "personal" clouds hovering above it, the breathtaking peaks of Maine and Vermont, and the evergreens of our friendly neighbors in Canada. You'll want to reward yourself with a dip in Profile Lake, Mirror Lake, or Lonesome Lake. All, however, can only be seen from here as they all lay on the west side of the Notch. In August and September months indulge in conversation with the AT throughhikers because you'll be resting on the trail. When you're ready to move on (if ever), continue south along the ridgline (Franconia Ridge Trail) where you'll first peak Mt Lincoln and then Little Haystack Mountain. From here you'll begin your decent down Falling Waters, trail filled with picturesque waterfalls, the most beautiful being Cloudland Falls. It begins with a steep grade until the river is reached and the grade becomes considerably flatter. Remember that this is the White Mountains and that the chance of dangerous weather is always possible, regardless of what it is like at the beginning or the middle of your hike, so bring plenty of warm and waterproof clothes (yes, even if it's a cloudless 100 degree day at he trailhead!). Also remember that in the White Mountains, not much sunlight gets through the Hemlocks and Spruces, so lots of snow in not uncommon through July, so remember those gators, too. Most importantly, however, bring LOTS of water and a very reliable camara with lots of film because you'll fill it up...

Directions to Hike
Coming from Boston,
take I-93 to Franconia Notch Parkway. Take the exit for Old Bridal Path and Falling Waters.
If coming from Canada, Take I-93 south to Franconia Notch Parkway. Follow it to the turn-around for the Flume and go north on the parkway. Take the exit for Old Bridal Path and Falling Waters.

Contact Information
*Franconia Notch State Park (603)823-5563
*Franconia Notch Chamber of Commerce
(800)237-9007
*NH Division of Parks and Recreation's Reservation Center
(603)271-3628

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