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- Mount Lafayette
5,260 ft · White Mountains, New Hampshire
Mount Lafayette
Mount Lafayette is a 5,260 ft peak in the White Mountains, New Hampshire. The standard route is the Mt Lincoln and Lafayette via Franconia Ridge Trail Loop: 8 mi, 3,809 ft of gain, Class 2.
Mount Lafayette at a glance
- Elevation5,260 ft1,603 m
- RouteMt Lincoln and Lafayette via Franconia Ridge Trail LoopClass 2
- Distance8 mi3,809 ft gain
- Time6 – 8 hrsHard effort
- SeasonJun – Oct
- RangeWhite MountainsNew Hampshire
Climbing the Mt Lincoln and Lafayette via Franconia Ridge Trail Loop
From Franconia Notch, park at Lafayette Place and climb the classic loop using the Old Bridle Path up and Falling Waters down (or reverse). The summit anchors the Franconia Ridge, over a mile of open, dramatic, and fully exposed crest linking Lincoln and Little Haystack. This is one of the most popular and scenic hikes in the Whites, so expect crowds on clear weekends. Weather on the ridge turns quickly with high wind and no shelter. Start early, carry layers, and commit to the ridge only in good conditions.
Gear and hazards
What to bring
Backpack (20–30 L)
Water
Water Filter
First-Aid Kit
Whistle
Offline Maps- Compass
GPS Device
Headlamp
Power Bank
Hiking Boots
Microspikes
Trekking Poles
Base Layer
Midlayer
Insulated Jacket
Hardshell Jacket
Warm Hat
Light Gloves
Buff
Sun Hat
Sunglasses
Sunscreen
What to watch for
- Steep exposure
- Snow near summit
- Ice near summit
- High winds
- Loose rock
- Storms
- Low visibility
- Cold summit conditions
- Rapid weather shifts
Mount Lafayette on Yak
Climbers have shared 20 climbs of Mount Lafayette on Yak. Read their trip reports and recent conditions in the app
Quests with Mount Lafayette
New England 4,000ers
NH 48Peaks near Mount Lafayette
Frequently asked questions
How tall is Mount Lafayette?
Mount Lafayette is 5,260 feet (1,603 m) tall. It is in the White Mountains, New Hampshire.
How does Mount Lafayette rank among the New England 4,000ers?
At 5,260 feet, Mount Lafayette is the 7th highest of the 67 New England 4,000ers. The highest is Mount Washington.
How hard is it to hike Mount Lafayette?
The Mt Lincoln and Lafayette via Franconia Ridge Trail Loop is Class 2, which means off-trail hiking with some use of your hands for balance. Yak rates the overall effort hard: 8 miles with 3,809 feet of elevation gain.
How long does it take to hike Mount Lafayette?
Most people take 6 – 8 hours round trip on the Mt Lincoln and Lafayette via Franconia Ridge Trail Loop, covering 8 miles with 3,809 feet of elevation gain, so most people do it in a day.
Can a beginner hike Mount Lafayette?
The Mt Lincoln and Lafayette via Franconia Ridge Trail Loop needs no climbing skills, but it is a hard day: 8 miles with 3,809 feet of elevation gain. Build up on shorter hikes first, start early and carry plenty of water and layers.
Do you need microspikes for Mount Lafayette?
They help. Microspikes are on the gear list for the Mt Lincoln and Lafayette via Franconia Ridge Trail Loop for icy or packed-snow sections, which are common outside summer.
When is the best time to hike Mount Lafayette?
The usual hiking window is June to October. Outside it, expect snow, storms or closed access, and check the summit forecast before you go.
What is the trailhead elevation for Mount Lafayette?
The Mt Lincoln and Lafayette via Franconia Ridge Trail Loop starts at about 1,790 feet, roughly 3,470 feet below the summit.
Climb Mount Lafayette with Yak
Plan your route on a topo map, check the summit forecast, then log your climb and see what is left on your list