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- Mount Lincoln
5,089 ft · White Mountains, New Hampshire
Mount Lincoln
Mount Lincoln is a 5,089 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 Lincoln at a glance
- Elevation5,089 ft1,551 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 take Falling Waters Trail up to Little Haystack, then follow the open Franconia Ridge north over Lincoln toward Lafayette. The famous loop descends the Old Bridle Path. The summit ridge is spectacular but fully exposed for over a mile with no shelter and steep drops on both sides. Weather changes fast with high wind and afternoon storms. Start early and carry warm layers. Very popular, so expect crowds and limited parking on clear summer and fall weekends.
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 Lincoln on Yak
Climbers have shared 19 climbs of Mount Lincoln on Yak. Read their trip reports and recent conditions in the app
Quests with Mount Lincoln
New England 4,000ers
NH 48Peaks near Mount Lincoln
Frequently asked questions
How tall is Mount Lincoln?
Mount Lincoln is 5,089 feet (1,551 m) tall. It is in the White Mountains, New Hampshire.
How does Mount Lincoln rank among the New England 4,000ers?
At 5,089 feet, Mount Lincoln is the 8th highest of the 67 New England 4,000ers. The highest is Mount Washington.
How hard is it to hike Mount Lincoln?
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 Lincoln?
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 Lincoln?
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 Lincoln?
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 Lincoln?
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 Lincoln?
The Mt Lincoln and Lafayette via Franconia Ridge Trail Loop starts at about 1,790 feet, roughly 3,299 feet below the summit.
Climb Mount Lincoln 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