Back to Franconia Notch State Park, NH- cont.

Here we are back at Franconia Notch State Park in NH. Today how about a day hike up to the Greenleaf AMC Hut on Mt. Lafayette. This is a great way to break up the week while boating. The AMC White Mountain Guide lists this hike as 2.7 miles and 2hr 25min for the average hiker. This is ascending (hiking up). To be safe figure the same time decending. Please follow the guidelines in the book for your safety. You will see it is a 6 hour adventure for most people. The route is very well marked, and all below treeline for safety. Bring 1.5 qt. water per person and ample food/snacks. Everybody should have a daypack with extra warm clothing. The views are excellent from the hut. The trail is well traveled.

With your map and guidebook in hand, walk back under the overpass from the parking lot to the trailhead. Once on the trail it's very well marked.

Here's a mini notch that you'll travel through. The kids will love it.

Wow 2-3 hours later and you're at the Greenleaf Hut. Go in and check it out. If you make reservations you can stay for the night. You must plan way ahead as the huts are busy during the Summer. It is expensive, but includes dinner and breakfast. You could walk hut to hut right through the NH White Mountains. The huts are spaced an easy days hike apart. Buy all the kids a Tee shirt here (OK- dad too) as a reward, and you're ready to head down. But wait- Look around first.

There's more!!!! The mountain still goes up. Unfortunately the top 1.1 miles are the hardest and all above tree line. Probably best to enjoy the view for awhile and head down. Summiting Lafayette and possibly hiking the Lafayette Ridge Trail is a serious full day adventure (8-12 hrs for the ridge loop). Consult your guide book.

Here's Mt Garfield (L) and Lafayette (R) with the pond below. The kids would probably like to descend the short hike to the pond while you rest. Heck- tell them to take their time.

And there's that ridge. 1 mile above tree line (and basically level hiking). A classic for the experienced hiker. Some of us even do it in the Wintertime. (When the mountain allows us to)