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Trail Description - Hi-Cannon Trail

The Hi-Cannon Trail connects the Lonesome Lake Trail near Lafayette Campground to the Kinsman Ridge Trail near the summit of Cannon Mountain. The lower part is seriously eroded and the middle section is the most difficult trail on Cannon Mountain, but there are good views from ledges.

Distance: Length of trail, about 1.8 miles one-way
Lafayette Campground to Cannon summit, about 2.6 miles one-way

Elevation gain: About 2400 feet to the summit

Hiking Time Estimator

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-E/F11 - Lincoln/Franconia
The trail is W of I-93 in Franconia Notch, between Exits 34A and 34B

Lower End: Lonesome Lake Trail .4 mi. from Lafayette Campground, elevation about 2060 feet

Upper End: Kinsman Ridge Trail, elevation about 3860 feet

Owner: Lower end to beyond Dodge Cutoff in Franconia Notch State Park, remainder in WMNF

Maintainer: Appalachian Mountain Club

Special regulations: No fires or camping anywhere in state park (except campground)

Description

From the Lonesome Lake Trail about .4 mi. from the parking lot, turn uphill on the Hi-Cannon Trail. The trail is very overgrown and the short switchbacks are eroded with lots of switchback cutoffs. About .8 mi. from the junction, the Dodge Cutoff leaves L (initially uphill) to Lonesome Lake. The Hi-Cannon Trail turns R and circles to the highway side of the ridge, then zags back to the foot of a wooden ladder. At the top of the ladder, there is an overhanging rock face which may trouble tall people or those with high packs. The trail crosses a ledge to the L (dangerous when slippery) and re-enters the woods. The trail circles L to a clifftop view of the notch, don't risk your neck leaning out to look for Lonesome Lake as there is another viewpoint of the lake coming up. The trail tops out on the ridge and then crosses a flattish area which may be wet to the junction with the Kinsman Ridge Trail.

Summit of Cannon Mountain: From the junction, turn R on Kinsman Ridge Trail and climb moderately to the junction with the Short Trail and Rim Trail near the State Park boundary. Follow the Short Trail L .1 mi. to the lookout tower on the summit.

Off Season

The ladder can be dicey in cold weather, perhaps more so when icy in spring and fall than in deep packed snow when it is entirely covered. There are other trails up Cannon Mountain for those who are less brave.

Map Notes: The USGS map does not show most of the switchbacks, which makes the trail appear shorter than it really is.

Topozone.com live map

Franconia Notch State Park map

Looking up the ladder

Lonesome Lake barely visible in the fog

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