Franconia Ridge

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Franconia Ridge viewed from Mount Lincoln, with the sharp peaks of Mount Flume (left) and Mount Liberty (right) visible behind the ridge.

The Franconia Ridge is a prominent ridge overlooking Franconia Notch in the White Mountains of the U.S. state of New Hampshire. The ridge forms the backbone of the Franconia Range and is the second-highest range of peaks (after the Presidential Range) in the White Mountains.

1 Mountains along the ridge
2 Features
3 Dangers
4 References

[edit] Mountains along the ridge

The mountains along the Franconia Ridge consist of Mount Lafayette, Mount Lincoln, Little Haystack, Mount Liberty, and Mount Flume (in order from north to south). Elevations of the summits range from 5,260 feet (1,603 m) above sea level on Mount Lafayette to 4,328 feet (1,319 m) on Mount Flume.

The Franconia Ridge Trail, which coincides with the Appalachian Trail from Mount Lafayette to Mount Liberty, traverses the ridge over all the aforementioned mountains.

[edit] Features

The Franconia Ridge hosts the third largest connected area of alpine tundra in the eastern United States, only surpassed by the Presidential Range and Katahdin.^[1]

A large portion of the ridge, approximately 2.5 miles (4.0 km) in length, is in the alpine zone. This area runs from the treeline near the top of Little Haystack all the way to the treeline north of Mount Lafayette, and affords constant 360-degree views of the White Mountains. Of particular beauty is the Pemigewasset Wilderness to the immediate east.

While Mount Liberty and Mount Flume are almost entirely forested, their summits rise above treeline, affording spectacular views as well.

[edit] Dangers

The exposed nature of the ridge and the changeable weather of the White Mountains makes it a more dangerous hike than it often appears. Injuries or even fatalities from falls and exposure are not uncommon; most recently, one man died after he and a companion were trapped February 11, 2008 by fast-moving winter weather.^[2]

Coordinates: 44°9.65′N 71°38.68′W / 44.16083, -71.64467