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Pemi Loop

RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Difficult Difficult
 4.9 (44)
  1. Areas
  2. NH
  3. …White Mountain Region
  4. …White Mountain National Forest
  5. Pemigewasset Wilderness
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“A beautiful outing, circumnavigating the western half of the Pemigewasset Wilderness. ”

Billy Hafferty
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Map Key

30.0

Miles

48.2

KM

Loop

5,190' 1,582 m

High

1,222' 372 m

Low

7,408' 2,258 m

Up

7,402' 2,256 m

Down

9%

Avg Grade (5°)

79%

Max Grade (38°)

Dogs Leashed

Features Views

Overview

This loop is unforgettable, taking on some of the most beautiful terrain in the Whites. Once treeline is gained the entire loop can be viewed, making for a unique experience in tracking progress through the day.

The trail is mostly technical rock and root. Ascending is steep with some scrambling and stair sections. The ridge lines tend to be the less technical. The loop is made up of many other shorter sections and peaks. This makes for easy bail out options but also tends to crowd the singletrack later in the morning/afternoon. For the most enjoyable hiking, plan on starting early and catching the sunrise at the first peak. This will ensure a less crowded ridge line and easier hiking.

Need to Know

The terrain is technical and challenging.

Description

The route begins at the Lincoln Woods trailhead on the Kanc. From here, one can go clockwise or counterclockwise. Clockwise is more popular, taking on the rougher terrain early and allowing for a more "relaxing" second half. Counterclockwise will allow more retreat options later, at the cost of handling rough terrain later on.

From the trailhead, cross the bridge and head along the Lincoln Woods Trail. This is the widest that the trail gets as it is a former rail trail. At the 1.5-mile mark is where you need to decide if you are going CW or CCW. Stay north on the Lincoln Woods Trail for CCW or head westward on the Osseo Trail to start your ascent up Mount Flume (5.3 miles).

Continue on the Franconia Ridge to Mt Liberty, Little Haystack, then to Mt. Lincoln and Mt. Lafayette. Here the trail turns into the Garfield Ridge/ Appalachian Trail (AT) to Mount Garfield. Mile 15.5 is where you can stop in the Galehead Lodge for water and shelter. Continue on Twinway to South Twin Mountain and Mount Guyot. Leave the Appalachian Trail (AT) for the Bondcliff Trail up Mount Bond and Bondcliff. As you descend Bondcliff, you'll meet back up with the Lincoln Woods Trail which you'll take to head back to the trailhead.

Contacts

Land Manager: USFS - White Mountain National Forest Office

Shared By:

Billy Hafferty with improvements by Liz
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.9 from 44 votes

#1

in Pemigewasset Wilderness

#101

Overall
  4.9 from 44 votes
5 Star
91%
4 Star
7%
3 Star
2%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#1

in Pemigewasset Wilderness

#2

in New Hampshire

#101

Overall
443 Views Last Month
133,342 Since Sep 27, 2015
Difficult Difficult
0%
0%
0%
5%
70%
26%
Add a Photo

Photos

Franconia Ridge
May 25, 2016 near Deerfield, NH
Franconia Ridge Trail.
Apr 14, 2016 near Deerfield, NH
Fraconia Ridge
Sep 22, 2020 near Deerfield, NH
Braving chilly winds for the view between Lincoln and Lafayette.
Feb 6, 2022 near Deerfield, NH
Galehead hut, night view
Aug 1, 2018 near Deerfield, NH
A big cairn stands on Garfield Ridge as we climb up to Lafayette.
Jul 7, 2017 near Deerfield, NH

3 Comments

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Current Trail Conditions

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Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Aug 2, 2023
Felice Janelle
Sep 5, 2022
Ben T
Did it in one day due to rain on the planned second day. 30.3mi — 17h 37m
Oct 12, 2021
Justin Saglio
Aug 17, 2021
Kevin McCall
First time doing the pemi loop, took 3 days 2 nights starting on the 17. Grat views over Franconia ridge, 2nd day a bit overcast. Booking it the f… 29.9mi
Jul 21, 2021
Lora Doerfer
29.9mi
Oct 11, 2020
Ethan Gehl
Sep 26, 2020
Alessandra Seiter
30.5mi — 17h 45m
Sep 26, 2020
Shyam Nambiar
backpacking 2d2n 33.3mi — 28h 02m

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