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The Cascade Brook Trail carries the Appalachian Trail from the Franconia Notch bike path to the Fishin Jimmy Trail near the AMC Lonesome Lake Hut, although the elimination of parking at its lower end discourages day hikers. Most of the trail follows an old woods road and is easy walking, although several unbridged brook crossings may be troublesome at high water.
Distance: To Lonesome Lake Trail, about 3.0 miles one-way
Elevation gain: About 1300 feet on the ascent, minor on descent
Maps:
USGS Lincoln, Franconia
AMC Franconia-Pemigewasset or Moosilauke-Kinsman
Franconia Notch State Park hiking map
Location: White Mountains Region
NH 2003-2004 map H-6
DeLorme NHA&G 43-F/G11 - Lincoln
The trail is located W of I-93/Franconia Notch Parkway between exits 34A and 34B
Lower End: Franconia Notch bike path about .8 miles N of hiker parking lot at The Flume, elevation about 1240 feet
Far End: Lonesome Lake Trail, elevation about 2740 feet
Owner: About the lowest mile in Franconia Notch State Park, remainder in White Mountain National Forest
Maintainer: Appalachian Mountain Club
Special regulations: No fires or camping in state park except at campgrounds
Start at the bike path (which is also the Whitehouse Trail at this point) at the W end of the Pemigewasset River bridge about .8 miles N of the hikers parking at the Flume. The Cascade Brook Trail in conjunction with the Pemi Trail follows up the Pemigewasset River and crosses under the two parkway bridges. The first has stone riprap underneath which is unpleasant walking. The trail begins to ascend away from the river and at .4 miles crosses Whitehouse Brook. Just across the brook, the Pemi Trail branches R and the Cascade Brook Trail angles up the hillside, crossing a large brook shortly and many small ones. After about a mile, the trail enters the National Forest and levels off, with little change in elevation for the next half mile. At 1.5 miles, the Basin-Cascades Trail joins from the R and the Cascade Brook Trail crosses Cascade Brook; a bridge mentioned in elderly guidebooks washed out over 20 years ago.
The Cascade Brook Trail runs parallel with the brook until the junction with the Kinsman Pond Trail at 2.1 miles, then takes a shortcut over a ridge to the R to rejoin the brook .3 miles later. The trail now follows the brook up to Lonesome Lake at 2.8 miles, where the Fishin Jimmy Trail crosses the outlet on a bridge and heads for the AMC Lonesome Lake Hut. The Cascade Brook Trail, no longer part of the Appalachian Trail and now blazed in blue, follows the lake shore to the Lonesome Lake Trail at 3.0 miles.
Hut self-service in the off season by reservation only, bring sleeping bags and food.
Map Notes: The USGS map does not show the parkway and bike path, or the connector to the hut.
Franconia Notch State Park hiking map (online version)
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