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There is an unnamed trail which crosses the East Branch of the Pemigewasset River near the Franconia Brook Campsite, giving campers access to Franconia Falls, the Franconia Brook Trail, and the Lincoln Woods Trail/Wilderness Trail. The crux of the route involves leaping about a dozen times from one large rock to another to cross the river. Persons who are less sure of their athletic ability may choose to wade the river using the rocks for support. In spring or other periods of high water, the river becomes a Class IV kayak run and the rocks may be buried with wading impossible. Hence this route is only reasonable during low water which fortunately coincides with the peak camping season.
Distance: East Side Trail to Lincoln Woods Trail/Wilderness Trail, about .2 miles one way
Elevation gain: Minor
Maps:
USGS Mount Osceola
AMC Franconia-Pemigewasset or Moosilauke-Kinsman or Crawford Notch-Sandwich Range
Location: White Mountains Region
NH 2003-2004 map H-7
DeLorme NHA&G 43-G14 - Lincoln
The trail is located NE of Lincoln, off Exit 32 of I-93
South End: East Side Trail about 2.8 miles from Lincoln Woods parking lot off NH Route 112, elevation about 1420 feet
North End: Lincoln Woods Trail/Wilderness Trail at N end of Franconia Brook bridge, about 2.8 miles from Lincoln Woods parking lot off NH Route 112, elevation about 1420 feet
Owner: White Mountain NF
Maintainer: White Mountain NF
Special regulations: No fires or camping
The route leaves the East Side Trail at the N end of the Franconia Brook Campsite, just S of the Wilderness boundary. It follows the gravel road to the edge of the river, then makes an arc across the river along a series of large boulders. (If you cannot easily identify the crossing point, the river is probably unsafe to cross at that time.) The far bank is actually an island in Franconia Brook, a delightful spot but no camping is allowed - you aren't going to hop rocks to the outhouse at night, are you?
After wending its way among the large trees on the island, the route reaches a side channel of Franconia Brook which is also crossed on rocks. The route runs upstream along the far bank to the Lincoln Woods Trail/Wilderness Trail just N of the bridge over Franconia Brook. Turn L across the bridge for Franconia Falls, or R for the Franconia Brook Trail.
Lincoln Woods Trail groomed for skiing and hiking. You will have to judge for yourself whether the ice is safe at this crossing or elsewhere.
Map Notes: The USGS map does not show this trail
The crossing Copyright © 2005 by Kathleen Hatt, all rights reserved.
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