We reached Mount Liberty’s summit at 10:30 AM and stayed for about 45 minutes before continuing on the Franconia Ridge Trail for 1.2 miles to Mount Flume’s summit. This was one of the best views I have seen. Once we reached the summit, we knew the steep climb was worth it for the views! We had views of Franconia Notch, the Kancamagus Highway, and the Presidentials from Mount Liberty’s summit. There was only a small section of rock scrambling to Mount Liberty’s summit that went by quickly. If we hiked to the left, we could have hiked to Mount Lafayette, but we continued on the trail to the right for 0.3 miles to the summit of Mount Liberty. Liberty Springs trail felt as if it would never end! I promise you will reach Mount Liberty’s summit eventually, so keep going! Eventually, we reached the Franconia Ridge Trail junction. We also met a woman completing the Appalachian Trail, who was going up this trail like a boss!! She was awesome and meeting her definitely motivated us to not complain. Eventually, we knew not to get our hopes up. This happened to us a few times on Liberty Springs Trail. After the first 0.5 miles, the stair climb began! The worst part of this trail was the tricks it played on us! While we were climbing up with our butts burning, we kept seeing clearings and thought THERE’S A BREAK COMING!! But don’t you worry, once we turned the corner, the Stairmaster climb continued. Liberty Springs Trail started off as a nice walk through the woods, but I hate to break it to you, it does not last long. Like I said above, we avoided that trail altogether, so we kept to the left and started on Liberty Springs Trail. If you want to do the loop, this is where you will want to keep right and ascend up Flume Slide Trail. After we crossed a bridge and walked another 0.6 miles, we came to the junction of the Liberty Springs Trail and the Flume Slide Trail. Most people let us know when they were approaching, but others came out of nowhere. Bikers flew on this path, so we had to make sure we were paying attention. The first 0.9 miles of Liberty Springs Trail was along a bike path, so we had to watch out for bikers. Although it was humid, it was a low 70-degree day, so it was perfect for hiking! We wanted to get on the trail early because the forecast showed rain later in the day. My wonderful friend Chelsea and I started the hike to Mount Liberty and Mount Flume at 8:00 AM on a beautiful Saturday morning. Either way you decide to hike Mount Liberty and Mount Flume, the hike gains about 3,600 feet of elevation, so prepare your legs for some climbing!! Mount Liberty and Mount Flume Hike via Liberty Springs Trail We avoided Flume Slide Trail altogether and ascended and descended Liberty Springs Trail. Flume Slide Trail is a VERY difficult trail with incredibly steep rock scrambles, so I do not recommend descending it. NOTE: If you want to hike this as a loop, go up Flume Slide Trail and down Liberty Springs Trail. Park at the Flume visitor center in the furthest parking lot and get ready to hike! It can be hiked as a loop or out and back, and both are about the same mileage. Mount Liberty (4,459’) and Mount Flume (4,327’) are two 4,000-footers usually hiked together. Level: Difficult Mount Liberty and Mount Flume Hike Overview Trail: Liberty Springs Trail > Franconia Ridge Trail Both the Garfield Ridge Trail and the Franconia Ridge Trail form part of the Appalachian Trail.Mount Liberty and Mount Flume Hike Details

The peak is at the junction of the Garfield Ridge Trail, which follows the ridge northeast to Mount Garfield, and the Franconia Ridge Trail, which leads south to Mounts Lincoln, Liberty, and Flume. The Bridle Path trail follows a western spur ridge of Lafayette from Lafayette Place Campground on Interstate 93 past Greenleaf Hut and joins the Greenleaf Trail, reaching the summit 1.1 miles (1.8 km) after the hut. The Greenleaf Trail begins at the parking lot for the Cannon Mountain tramway and ascends to the Appalachian Mountain Club's Greenleaf Hut, then continues to the summit. The summit marks the western border of the Pemigewasset Wilderness Area within the WMNF.Ī variety of trails lead up over 3,000 vertical feet (900 m) to its exposed summit.

The remainder of the mountain lies within the White Mountain National Forest. On the western side, its lower slopes lie inside Franconia Notch State Park. It is the second most prominent peak in the state. It is the sixth highest peak in New Hampshire and the highest outside of the Presidential Range. Mount Lafayette is the highest point in the Franconia Range, a line of peaks along the east side of Franconia Notch.

Mount flume