Mount Lafayette, Mount Lincoln and the waterfalls

Hike along the ridges between Mount Lafayette and Little Haystack Mountain, passing Mount Lincoln and Swiftwater and Cloudland Falls.

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 12.41 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 6h 50 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 1,162 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 1,156 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,599 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 550 m

Description of the walk

You can park in the free hikers' car park near the campsite.

(S/E) With your back to the road, head south-east.

(1) Do not take the bridge but continue climbing, keeping to the left on the Old Bridle Path. The trail soon turns north-east, which is the general direction it will follow despite a few occasional changes of direction. Reach the Greenleaf Hut refuge.

(2) Descend towards the refuge and take the path down to the lake and continue the ascent that starts on the right just before the refuge. This is the Greenleaf Trail.

(3) Further on, follow the cairns carefully as the path is not very visible. Go around the large rocks on the left. You will arrive at a trail junction at the summit of Mount Lafayette.

(4) Head towards the ridge, to the right, due south, and stay on the path (between the small stone walls).

(5) Pass Mount Lincol, continue south and reach the end of the ridge at Little Haystack Mountain.

(6) Turn right to descend into the forest. You are now on the Falling Waters Trail.

(7) At an intersection, keep to your right. Further down, you will reach a stream.

(8) Continue along the stream, crossing it a few times, and follow the blue markings.

(9) Turn right until you reach the bridge at the start of the hike.

(1) Retrace your steps to return to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 550 m - Parking
  2. 1 : km 0.29 - alt. 574 m - Crossroads of the loop, bridge
  3. 2 : km 4.13 - alt. 1,286 m - Greenleaf Hut
  4. 3 : km 5.47 - alt. 1,518 m - near Mont Lafayette
  5. 4 : km 5.75 - alt. 1,599 m - Mount Lafayette
  6. 5 : km 7.22 - alt. 1,530 m - Mount Lincol
  7. 6 : km 8.17 - alt. 1,451 m - Little Haystack Mountain
  8. 7 : km 8.62 - alt. 1,275 m - Crossroads
  9. 8 : km 10.44 - alt. 811 m - River
  10. 9 : km 11.43 - alt. 609 m - Crossroads
  11. S/E : km 12.41 - alt. 550 m - Parking

Notes

Snow

Be careful in snowy weather and bring crampons as there are slippery areas (snow and ice).
It can get very cold on the peaks, so come well equipped.

Wind

The wind can blow very strongly on the peaks, so take care. The roads are quite wide but you may feel dizzy.

Water

The water supply at the refuge is not available in winter.

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