Celebrate the first day of fall 2023 with a hike of Mount Flume and Mount Liberty!  This loop is 9.3 miles with 3,576’ of elevation gain.  Please note this is a strenuous hike.  It includes two 4,000-foot mountains, climbing steep ledges that may be wet, and ascending the Flume Slide, one of the White Mountain’s “Terrifying 25”.  Having said that, it is an unforgettable hike that should offer some beautiful panoramas of the early foliage season.

Please note: Bob has graciously offered his place in Sugar Hill for anyone that wants to stay on Friday and/or Saturday night.  Please reach out to him directly to book a bed; you can message him through the GO site.  We will do a potluck on Saturday night.  Let him know what you are going to bring if you plan on attending.  If you are not staying over but want to carpool to the trailhead, he can give you the address. 

Route:

From The Basin parking area, we will head south on the Franconia Notch Bike Path for 0.8 miles before turning onto Liberty Spring Trail.  From there we will connect with the Flume Slide Trail.  It is 2.6 miles from here to the start of the Flume Slide, and we will cross a few streams on this trail.  Once on the Slide, we will take our time navigating the wet slabs and loose rocks.  Hikers have created side trails that run through the woods on either side of the Slide for those that prefer these routes.   The summit of Mount Flume is about 500’ beyond the Slide. 

From here, we will follow the Franconia Ridge Trail 1.1 miles to Mount Liberty.  Note, parts of this trail have precipitous drop-offs to the left of the trail, for those squeamish with heights.  After this, we will continue to follow the Franconia Ridge Trail until it meets with the Liberty Spring Trail.  We will pass Liberty Spring, a natural spring near a tentsite in the area.  This is also part of the Appalachian Trail and we may run into some thru-hikers.  It is 2.9 miles down Liberty Spring Trail until we reconnect with the Franconia Notch Bike Path.

Below is the AllTrails map of our hike as well as a list of the “10 Essentials” to pack for any hike.  Please remember to bring extra water, proper footwear, and a great attitude.   I hope you can join us!

AllTrails map of the hike: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/new-hampshire/flume-and-liberty-loop?p=62044812&sh=ex94e9

Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC)’s recommendation of the 10 Essentials for a backcountry hike: https://www.outdoors.org/resources/amc-outdoors/outdoor-resources/the-10-essentials-what-to-pack-for-a-backcountry-hike/

We will be leaving from The Basin parking lot.  If coming north on I-93, there will be a turn-off for The Basin about two miles north of the Flume Gorge Visitor Center in Lincoln, NH.   Please note there is additional parking if needed on the west side of I-93, if driving north to south.  There are bathrooms at the parking lot for anyone that needs them.