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The Lonesome Lake Trail leads from Lafayette Campground in Franconia Notch past Lonesome Lake to the col between Cannon Mountain and the Cannonballs. It is the easiest access to the AMC Lonesome Lake Hut and a common route to Cannon Mountain, and hence receives heavy use year round.
Distance: To Lonesome Lake, about 1.1 miles one-way
To Kinsman Ridge Trail, about 2.1 miles one-way
To Cannon Mountain summit, about 2.9 miles one-way
Elevation gain: About 1000 feet to Lonesome Lake
To Kinsman Ridge Trail, about 1700 feet
To Cannon Mountain summit, about 2400 feet on ascent, minor on descent
Maps:
USGS 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-F11 - Lincoln
The trail is located between exits 34A and 34B of I-93
Trailhead: Lafayette Campground, I-93 Franconia Notch State Park Parkway, elevation about 1740 feet. The campground trading post (in summer) offers sundry hiking supplies and has hot showers for 25 cents (2002).
N 44.1422, -71.6841 W (WGS84)
Northbound on I-93, go past exit 34A about 3.9 miles and exit at "Trailhead Parking" sign, park and walk through underpass to other side of parkway -- if you will be heading southbound after the hike it may be better to continue to Tramway exit 34B to reverse direction and follow Southbound directions
Southbound on I-93, go past exit 34B about 2.2 miles, exit at Lafayette Campground, and turn L at bottom of hill for hiker parking
Currently no fee although this is under study
Far End: Kinsman Ridge Trail W of Cannon Mtn., elevation about 3420 feet
Owner: Up beyond Lonesome Lake in Franconia Notch State Park, remainder in WMNF
Maintainer: Appalachian Mountain Club
SE Mass Chapter
Special regulations: No fires or camping in state park except at campgrounds
From the parking lot, the trail crosses a bridge and leads through the campground, crossing several campground roads. It climbs slightly from the campground, then turns L and crosses several small brooks, a couple with steel culverts and a couple on plank bridges. After .4 mi. the Hi-Cannon Trail leaves R while Lonesome Lake Trail continues ahead on a long switchback, then zags back on another long switchback. It then climbs more directly over a low height of land, then descends descends slightly to a trail junction near the shore of Lonesome Lake at 1.1 mi.
The Lonesome Lake Trail heads R along the lake shore and after .2 mi. more reaches a junction where all trails enter on plank bridges. The Around-Lonesome-Lake Trail leads L along the lake shore to Lonesome Lake Hut in .5 mi., while Lonesome Lake Trail begins a gradual and then steeper climb toward the ridge. This section of trail is rockier and receives much less use, and there are rock and log stairs. The trail ascends L of a gully and then descends slightly to the Kinsman Ridge Trail. The AMC White Mountain Guide calls this area Coppermine Col presumably because it is the headwaters of Coppermine Brook.
To summit of Cannon Mountain: From the junction, turn R on Kinsman Ridge Trail and descend slightly to the col, then climb steeply to the shoulder where Hi-Cannon Trail enters R at .4 mi. The trail climbs more gradually 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.
Some of the parking lot is plowed in winter although not necessarily the summer trailhead. Snowshoes may be necessary higher up even if not at the beginning. The hut was traditionally open only in warmer months, but starting December 2002 will be open off-season on a self-service basis by reservation only, bring your own sleeping bags and food.
Map Notes: The USGS map was made before parkway construction: the present northbound trailhead is near where the gravel pit is shown.
Franconia Notch State Park hiking map (online version)
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