Mount Flume + Mount Liberty Loop
Mount Flume + Mount Liberty Loop
Mount Flume + Mount Liberty Loop
5
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Monday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Tuesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Wednesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Thursday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Friday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Saturday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Sunday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
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31 within 6 miles
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
5.0
3 reviews
Excellent
3
Very good
0
Average
0
Poor
0
Terrible
0
Yael S
Montreal, Canada25 contributions
Oct 2019 • Family
Beautiful short hike to the flowing gorge. We were tired from the previous days hike, so we're very happy to take the bus to the starting point. The entrance fee was a bit pricey to my eyes, but the place is well maintained. Worth a visit.
Written October 26, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
NMMc
Boston, MA171 contributions
Aug 2018 • Couples
We hiked the loop of Mounts Flume and Liberty at the end of August 2018 on a clear, but not too warm day. We parked at the Flume Visitor Center- near the bike trail entrance in the most northern parking lot (the lot for buses and trailers, but there are spots for cars too). There may be another parking lot further north off of the 93, with a 0.6 mile hike down to the Liberty Spring Trailhead but we played it safe, knowing that there is plenty of parking at the Flume Visitor center (if you come early enough). The Flume Visitor Center opens at 8:30 am, so best to come before then. From the Flume Visitor parking lot it is 0.7 miles to the Liberty Spring trail head along the paved and mostly flat bike path. Once you pass the turn off to the Cascade Brook trail and cross a bridge it is right there, and well signed.
The 0.6 mile hike on the Liberty Spring trail to the crossroads between the Flume Slide Trail and the Liberty Spring Trail is an easy walk through the woods. There is no port-a-potty at the trail head (like at some of them) so plan accordingly. I'm assuming there are toilets at the Flume Visitor's Center, but it was closed when we started.
We decided to climb up the Flume Slide Trail to Mount Flume, make our way along the Franconia Ridge Trail to Mount Liberty, and then hike down the Liberty Spring Trail to get back to the bike path and then back to the car. Altogether it is 10.1 miles (8.7 if you don't count the flat bike path bit). We started just before 6 am and ended just after 12:30 pm (6.5 hours), with a few water breaks along the way, and a brief visit to both peaks. We are hikers, but in our 50s, and I'd say we go at an average pace. It was a mostly clear day and not too warm (70s) with not too much wind. We had 2 liters of water each and got through about 1 liter each. You are mostly walking in the forest, so bug repellent is useful. There were a few flies/gnats. We didn't need a sun hat or sun screen. If it was a warmer, clearer day, both would have been good at the summits. Sturdy hiking boots and poles were really helpful. I'd say if you go up the Flume Slide Trail, sturdy hiking boots are a must.
The hike overall is moderately difficult with some very difficult spots. We decided to hike up Flume slide because for the last mile it is very steep. The "slide" comes from there being rock avalanches. For the first 2 miles of the trail it was gradual up. moderately difficult but not very difficult. The slide part is hard to describe. Rock climbing shoes would have been helpful. Gripping roots and trees along the side of the trail was my MO. There are a few off-trail trails for some of the very steep parts. I used one and had to pay attention to get back on trail (easy to lose your way!). There was water running down the steep bits and it was slippery on top of everything else. Once you pass the worst of it, there is still a good climb up a "traditional" White Mountain scramble. So, not for the timid. And I would not recommend going down it at all- treacherous to say the least.
After the Flume slide trail the rest (the Franconia Ridge and the Liberty Spring trails) seemed normal- some scrambles, some rolling bits, nothing too taxing. There is a tent site right off of the Liberty Spring trail, and there is a good water source (that is signed) just below it.
Just where the Osseo Trail intersects with the Flume Slide trail there is a small side trail that leads to a lovely lookout (signed with a sign that has an arrow). It is only a detour of 50 meters or so and well worth it. The view just before Mount Flume, on the summit of Mount Flume and on the summit of Mount Liberty are great. On Mount Liberty you get 360 degree views and can see Little Haystack, Lincoln, Canon, and the Kinsmen.
If you want to avoid the Flume Slide trail but want to summit Mount Flume you can go up the Liberty Spring trail and then go down the same way.
So- be prepared mentally for the Flume Slide if you go that route, and as always, have enough water, layers and snack. Happy hiking!
The 0.6 mile hike on the Liberty Spring trail to the crossroads between the Flume Slide Trail and the Liberty Spring Trail is an easy walk through the woods. There is no port-a-potty at the trail head (like at some of them) so plan accordingly. I'm assuming there are toilets at the Flume Visitor's Center, but it was closed when we started.
We decided to climb up the Flume Slide Trail to Mount Flume, make our way along the Franconia Ridge Trail to Mount Liberty, and then hike down the Liberty Spring Trail to get back to the bike path and then back to the car. Altogether it is 10.1 miles (8.7 if you don't count the flat bike path bit). We started just before 6 am and ended just after 12:30 pm (6.5 hours), with a few water breaks along the way, and a brief visit to both peaks. We are hikers, but in our 50s, and I'd say we go at an average pace. It was a mostly clear day and not too warm (70s) with not too much wind. We had 2 liters of water each and got through about 1 liter each. You are mostly walking in the forest, so bug repellent is useful. There were a few flies/gnats. We didn't need a sun hat or sun screen. If it was a warmer, clearer day, both would have been good at the summits. Sturdy hiking boots and poles were really helpful. I'd say if you go up the Flume Slide Trail, sturdy hiking boots are a must.
The hike overall is moderately difficult with some very difficult spots. We decided to hike up Flume slide because for the last mile it is very steep. The "slide" comes from there being rock avalanches. For the first 2 miles of the trail it was gradual up. moderately difficult but not very difficult. The slide part is hard to describe. Rock climbing shoes would have been helpful. Gripping roots and trees along the side of the trail was my MO. There are a few off-trail trails for some of the very steep parts. I used one and had to pay attention to get back on trail (easy to lose your way!). There was water running down the steep bits and it was slippery on top of everything else. Once you pass the worst of it, there is still a good climb up a "traditional" White Mountain scramble. So, not for the timid. And I would not recommend going down it at all- treacherous to say the least.
After the Flume slide trail the rest (the Franconia Ridge and the Liberty Spring trails) seemed normal- some scrambles, some rolling bits, nothing too taxing. There is a tent site right off of the Liberty Spring trail, and there is a good water source (that is signed) just below it.
Just where the Osseo Trail intersects with the Flume Slide trail there is a small side trail that leads to a lovely lookout (signed with a sign that has an arrow). It is only a detour of 50 meters or so and well worth it. The view just before Mount Flume, on the summit of Mount Flume and on the summit of Mount Liberty are great. On Mount Liberty you get 360 degree views and can see Little Haystack, Lincoln, Canon, and the Kinsmen.
If you want to avoid the Flume Slide trail but want to summit Mount Flume you can go up the Liberty Spring trail and then go down the same way.
So- be prepared mentally for the Flume Slide if you go that route, and as always, have enough water, layers and snack. Happy hiking!
Written August 26, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Katie F
South Boston, MA9 contributions
Nov 2019 • Couples
We started hiking the 4,000 footers last year and Mount Liberty has been my favorite to far. We hiked the second weekend of November and were fortunate it had snowed 2-3in the night before which made for beautiful views! On a clear day like ours we could see Mt Washington.
Written November 10, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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