Mount Lincoln is a gorgeous mountain with exposed ridge-line views, conveniently located right off of I-93. A part of Franconia Ridge. Lincoln is often hiked with the entire or a piece of Franconia Ridge. Mount Liberty is another common peak for hikers to summit on the same day.
Height: 5,089 feet (1,551.1 meters)
Length: 7.8 miles (12.6 km)
Duration: 4-6 hours
Difficulty: Strenuous
Elevation Gain: 3,645 feet (1,111.0 meters)
Video by Joseph Getts: View the rest of Getts Wild YouTube channel here
Trail Map
Trails
Falling Waters Trail | 7.8 Miles Round Trip | 3,645 Feet Elevation Gain
The falling waters trail is a very popular trail for good reason. It features gorgeous waterfalls as you ascend up the trail. This is a 3 mile trail to Little Haystack Mountain. Mount Lincoln sits .7 miles away from the summit of Little Haystack. Views are stunning as hikers ascent to Little Haystack and traverse the ridge between the two peaks.
The falling waters trail features long steep sections of large rocks, making for a more difficult than average trail. Due to the rocks, hikers should take a little extra caution while descending.
Old Bridle Path | 8.9 Miles | 3,900 Feet Elevation Gain
The old Bridle Path is a 2.9 mile trail that quickly ascends up to Greenleaf Hut. It connects with the Greenleaf Trail 1.1 miles from the summit of Lafayette. Hikers will continue to ascend to the summit of Lafayette before traversing south across Franconia Ridge towards Mount Lincoln. If hikers wish to do this loop, they should look at our guide on the Franconia Ridge Loop.
Along the Falling Waters Trail
Directions and Parking
There is a lot of parking space on both sides of I-93 at Lafayette Place Parking area and Lafayette campground. Arrive early as this is the most busy section of the White Mountains. Overflow parking on I-93 is illegal and strictly enforced. Overflow parking is now located at Cannon Mountain where there is a shuttle to take hikers to the trailheads.
Camping/Overnight Options
There are some nearby camping and overnight options. The trailhead is located right across 93 from Lafayette Campground, but there is also the AMC hut located along the Old Bridle Path just before the summit of Mount Lafayette. If hikers are combining this hike with Mount Liberty, the Liberty Springs tent sites are located along the Liberty Springs trail. Take a look at our Mount Liberty post to learn more about this.
Weather Forecast
Lincoln, NH
Tonight
Isolated snow showers after 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 9. Wind chill values as low as -9. West wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Monday
Isolated snow showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 14. Wind chill values as low as -7. Northwest wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Monday Night
Isolated snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 10. Wind chill values as low as -8. Northwest wind 15 to 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Tuesday
Isolated snow showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 18. Wind chill values as low as -6. Northwest wind 10 to 15 mph. New snow accumulation of less than half an inch possible.
Tuesday Night
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 10. West wind 10 to 15 mph. New snow accumulation of less than half an inch possible.
Wednesday
Isolated snow showers after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 20.
Wednesday Night
Isolated snow showers before 7pm, then snow. Cloudy, with a low around 19. Chance of precipitation is 100%.
Max DesMarais is the founder of hikingandfishing.com. He has a passion for the outdoors and making outdoor education and adventure more accessible. Max is a published author for various outdoor adventure, travel, and marketing websites. He is an experienced hiker, backpacker, fly fisherman, backcountry skier, trail runner, and spends his free time in the outdoors. These adventures allow him to test gear, learn new skills, and experience new places so that he can educate others. Max grew up hiking all around New Hampshire and New England. He became obsessed with the New Hampshire mountains, and the NH 48, where he guided hikes and trail runs in the White Mountains. Since moving out west, Max has continued climbed all of the Colorado 14ers, is always testing gear, learning skills, gaining experience, and building his endurance for outdoor sports. You can read more about his experience here: hikingandfishing/about
