Lonesome Lake

Lonesome Lake is a mountain lake 1,000 feet above the floor of Franconia Notch, reached by the 1.5-mile (one way) Lonesome Lake Trail from Lafayette Place. NH State Parks rates the hike moderately challenging, with a steady climb on a well-marked trail. At the top a path circles the whole lake, and the Appalachian Mountain Club's Lonesome Lake Hut sits on the far shore with views back across the water to Franconia Ridge. It's free. Park in the hiker lots at Lafayette Place on the southbound side of I-93, not in the campground.

The Hike

According to the state's hiking sheet, the Lonesome Lake Trail begins at Lafayette Place, just south of the cabin near the campground entrance, and climbs 1.5 miles to the lake. The state's hiking page describes the route as well marked and easy to follow, with a steady incline the whole way up. AMC lists it as 1.6 miles; the state's figure is used here.

Because the lake is 1,000 feet above the Notch, the climb is the work. The state's hiking sheet asks every hiker to wear sturdy walking shoes and to keep close tabs on children, because mountain weather changes suddenly.

At the Lake

• The loop path: a lakeside trail goes all the way around the lake. The state says the full hike, including the lake loop, is about 3 miles.
• The view: AMC describes views of Franconia Ridge across the lake, which is why people come up here.
• The beaver lodge: the state's sheet notes an inactive beaver lodge along the lakeside trail.
• The hut: AMC's Lonesome Lake Hut is at the far end of the lake (more below).

Cannon's hiking page calls Lonesome Lake an alpine lake left behind by receding glaciers.

Lonesome Lake Hut

Lonesome Lake Hut is run by the Appalachian Mountain Club inside Franconia Notch State Park, under a permit from the state. AMC staff serve dinner and breakfast to overnight guests from June to mid-October. From late October to late May a caretaker runs it and guests cook their own meals. Overnight stays are booked through AMC. AMC also opens the hut's dining room as a common space for day visitors.

AMC sums the hut up as big mountain scenery without the big mountain effort, compared with Greenleaf Hut on the Franconia Ridge Loop.

Parking

• The trailhead is at Lafayette Place, reached from the southbound lanes of I-93. Northbound drivers use Exit 34B to turn around, as the state's brochure advises for the campground.
• Hikers park in two small lots along the highway. Hikers may not park in the campground or at any campsite.
• The state says busy trailhead lots fill quickly and early. Overflow parking is at the Cannon tram lot (Exit 34B), with a paid hiker shuttle on weekends and holidays in season. See parking.
• Parking along I-93 is illegal at any time.

Dogs and Rules

NH State Parks allows leashed pets on hiking trails in Franconia Notch (leash 6 feet or shorter). Dogs are not allowed in Lafayette Place Campground, so don't walk them through the campsites to the trailhead. Full rules: rules and regulations.

Good For

• A real mountain hike, with a steady 1,000-foot climb, that is far shorter than the ridge.
• Campers at Lafayette Place: the trail starts at the campground.
• A first night in an AMC hut.

Maybe Skip If

• You want something under an hour. Artists Bluff or the Basin are shorter.
• You want the big ridge itself. That's the Franconia Ridge Loop, from the trailhead across the highway.