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The Greenleaf Trail trail leads from the tramway parking lot at the Cannon Mountain Ski Area to the summit of Mount Lafayette, passing the AMC Greenleaf Hut which is a popular summer destination for less ambitious hikers. Hikers making the classic loop via the Falling Waters Trail usually use the Old Bridle Path in conjunction with the upper part of the Greenleaf Trail.
Because of steep grades and heavy use, most of the trail has been hardened with rock steps and waterbars. The section above the hut is mostly above treeline and hazardous in bad weather.
Distance: To Mount Lafayette, about 3.8 miles one-way
Elevation gain: About 3300 feet on the ascent, minor on descent
Maps:
USGS Franconia
AMC Franconia-Pemigewasset or Moosilauke-Kinsman
Franconia Notch State Park hiking map, available at visitor centers
(online version)
Location: White Mountains Region
NH 2003-2004 map H-6
DeLorme NHA&G 43-E11/12 - Franconia
The trail is located E of I-93 exit 34B
Trailhead: Cannon Mountain Ski Area tramway parking lot, I-93/Franconia Notch Parkway Exit 34B, elevation about 1971 feet
44.1701°N, 71.6875°W (WGS84)
Currently no fee
Take I-93 exit 34B and park at the S end of the Tramway parking lot
Far End: Summit of Mount Lafayette, elevation about 5260 feet
Owner: About the lowest mile in Franconia Notch State Park, remainder in White Mountain NF
Maintainer: Appalachian Mountain Club
Special regulations: No fires or camping in state park or within 1/4 mile of hut, alpine zone requires 2 feet of snow for camping
From the tramway parking lot, the Greenleaf Trail follows the sidewalk to the parkway underpass at .1 miles, passes underneath, then turns L to follow the on-ramp a short distance to where the trail enters the woods on the R. It runs parallel to the parkway to rejoin its former route, then circles R for some distance. Next is a set of short switchbacks to scenic Eagle Pass where the trail runs along the bottom of a cliff.
After a brief descent, the trail climbs the ridge on the other side of the pass, sometimes using short switchbacks again. As the trail reaches the top of the ridge and begins to flatten out, an unsigned but well-trompled path on the R leads slightly downhill 100 yards to Sunset Rocks, a viewpoint into Franconia Notch. In another 100 yards is the junction with the Old Bridle Path from Lafayette Place. The AMC Greenleaf Hut is located adjacent to the junction, about 2.7 miles from the parking lot. Meals and bunk space are available during summer months by advance reservation, while snacks and advice are available to all hikers when the hut is open.
The Greenleaf Trail descends to a shallow col at the outlet of Eagle Lake, then ascends through dense evergreens over two minor bumps to treeline. Finally it climbs in the open to the summit, obviously not a good hike in bad weather. In the 1970s, concern about trail widening and destruction of rare plants led to construction of rock walls along the trail; please try to hike within the walls. Unfortunately, some of the material for the walls was obtained by removing and downsizing the cairns used to mark the trail. While the cairns may be less necessary in August now that you can follow the walls, this is not true in snowy seasons when no cairns or walls may be visible and you just hope you are not cramponing rare plants.
The summit is reached at 3.8 miles, with the footings of a former hotel just below. From here the Garfield Ridge Trail leads N to Mount Garfield and the AMC Zealand Falls Hut while the Franconia Ridge Trail leads S to Mount Lincoln and the Falling Waters Trail.
On the descent, after about .2 miles the trail zags R to avoid a cliff band, then switchbacks L to regain the ridge down. Watch for these turns in times of poor visibility.
Parking lot plowed in winter. Hut closed in the off season. Crampons desirable in slippery conditions. Several parties have lost the Greenleaf Trail above the hut on descent and become stranded off the trail in heavy snow. Their failure to bring snowshoes for emergency use even if they weren't needed on the packed trail was considered reckless behavior, and they were subsequently billed for their rescue.
Map Notes: The USGS map is before parkway construction: the present trailhead is at the tramway parking lot.
Franconia Notch State Park map
Greenleaf Trail above hut
Hut from above
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