Hidden 1,000 Feet Above Franconia Notch is an Ancient Lake That’s Loved by Appalachian Trail Hikers

Lonesome Lake, New Hampshire

Tucked into Franconia Notch’s steep slopes sits Lonesome Lake, which is ironically one of the White Mountains’ most social spots.

This alpine lake draws hikers, AMC hut visitors, and even cold-water swimmers to its crystal waters, all while serving up ridiculous views of the Franconia Ridge towering above.

New York Author Created This Fishing Paradise in 1876

Back in 1876, William C. Prime, a New York author with serious outdoor cred, set up a fishing camp at what we now know as Lonesome Lake.

He co-owned about 650 acres with his buddy William Frederick Bridge, and they built remote cabins for summer fishing trips.

Prime would show up in May each year, fish and write all summer, then head back to New York in October, a routine he kept up for 28 years until he died in 1904.

In 1929, the state asked the Appalachian Mountain Club to run the former Prime property as a shelter, officially bringing it into the AMC hut system.

You’ll Hike Just 3.25 Miles for Big Mountain Rewards

This 3.25-mile round-trip starts from Lafayette Place Campground.

The well-marked yellow blazes guide you on a moderate 2-3 hour hike with some steep climbs over boulder sections, but the trail uses switchbacks.

At the top, you can either take the left path (0.3 miles to the AMC hut) toward Fishin’ Jimmy and Cascade Brook Trails, or go right (0.5 miles to the hut) for better views of Mount Lafayette.

The trail also connects to several challenging 4,000-footer mountains including Cannon Mountain, the Cannon Balls, and the Kinsmans if you’re feeling ambitious.

Start Your Hike From the Appalachian Trail

Lonesome Lake sits right on the legendary Appalachian Trail, making it an important rest stop for long-distance hikers.

From here, you can access a 15.1-mile section that runs from Franconia Notch State Park to Zealand Notch through some of New Hampshire’s high country.

The AMC Lonesome Lake Hut offers special programs specifically for Appalachian Trail thru-hikers where hikers can earn accommodations by helping with hut chores.

For many AT thru-hikers, this spot is a key water source and rest stop before tackling the tough White Mountains, one of the hardest sections of the 2,190-mile trail.

Crystal Clear Waters Reflect Mountain Peaks All Around

Sitting pretty at 2,760 feet elevation, this 12.2-acre alpine lake gives you mirror-like reflections of the surrounding mountains.

Lonesome Lake feeds into the Merrimack River watershed, with its outlet, Cascade Brook, flowing south over ledges and waterfalls to the Pemigewasset River.

It’s a designated coldwater fishery, home to brook trout that are regularly stocked via helicopter drops by the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department.

The water temperature stays consistently cold throughout the year, creating perfect conditions for these native trout that need highly oxygenated environments.

AMC Hut Welcomes Hikers Since 1930 (With Some Updates)

When you reach the lake, you’ll find the historic Appalachian Mountain Club hut that first opened in 1930.

The original structure was completely rebuilt in 1964-1965, with construction materials flown in by helicopter. By the 1970s, Lonesome Lake made history by becoming the first AMC hut to host an all-female “croo” (staff).

Today’s hut accommodates 48 guests in two bunkhouse buildings, with individual rooms holding 4-7 people each.

It operates in two modes: full-service (June to mid-October) when meals and amenities are provided, and self-service (remainder of the year).

The hut runs on solar panels and battery banks that power the electricity needs, while LED lighting minimizes energy consumption.

Wildlife Experts Call This New Hampshire’s Most Diverse Ecosystem

You’ll find everything from mosses to moose, bogs to balsam firs, snowshoe hares to carnivorous sundew plants, all adapted to this high-elevation environment.

The forests around here feature a mix of hardwood and coniferous trees, shifting to mostly evergreens at higher elevations, creating distinct ecological zones.

Black bears and moose frequently visit the lake, with moose sightings along the Lonesome Lake Trail highlighting the importance of this water source.

The bog environments around the lake house specialized plant species adapted to acidic, nutrient-poor conditions, including insectivorous plants that trap and digest insects.

All Four Seasons Offer Completely Different Experiences

In spring, hikers witness the alpine ecosystem come alive while summer brings the chance to swim in the refreshingly cold waters after a warm hike.

In winter, visitors can ski or snowshoe to the hut for a peaceful escape. When conditions permit, you can even walk across the frozen lake.

Just remember, you’ll need specialized equipment like microspikes or snowshoes, but you’ll be rewarded with exceptional stargazing opportunities.

Ice Age Forces Shaped This Mountain Lake 12,000 Years Ago

Lonesome Lake sits in a glacial cirque, carved during the last ice age 10,000–12,000 years ago, when mile-thick ice sheets blanketed the White Mountains.

Along the trail, you’ll encounter large boulders, one notable example features an older beech tree growing atop such a boulder.

The same glacial forces that shaped Lonesome Lake also formed Kinsman Pond. Both are glacial tarns, created when ice-carved depressions fill with water.

Logging Industry Once Dominated This Now-Protected Forest

It’s hard to believe the lush forest around Lonesome Lake was once nearly clear-cut by loggers. The few surviving trees are likely around 200 years old.

The Franconia Notch area is now recognized for its scenic and recreational value rather than merely as a timber resource.

Evidence of historical logging operations can still be spotted in certain areas around the lake, including old stone foundations.

You’ll also spot modified waterways that were once used for transporting logs, and unusually even-aged forest stands that grew back after clear-cutting.

Boardwalks Take You Through Rare Mountain Bog Habitats

The Around-Lonesome-Lake Trail features elevated boardwalks that allow you to walk through golden bogs and moss floors.

The wooden boardwalk system protects the fragile ecosystem from foot traffic damage while keeping your boots dry during wet periods.

These bogs act as natural water filters and vital habitats for specialized amphibians and insects, playing a key role in the watershed that feeds into Cascade Brook.

These wetlands also host plant communities adapted to acidic, oxygen-poor soils, including carnivorous plants like sundews that trap insects for extra nutrients.

Start Your White Mountain Adventure From This Central Hub

Lonesome Lake is a great launch point for more rugged adventures, with trails that include tough rock scrambles and ladder-assisted climbs for a more technical hike.

For experienced hikers, trails from here connect to challenging routes like the 6.1-mile out-and-back trail to Kinsman Pond via the Fishing Jimmy Trail.

With the right gear, winter adventurers can reach several 4,000-foot peaks, including the Kinsmans and Cannon Mountain with crampons or microspikes.

Ambitious hikers can tackle the 10.9-mile North-South Kinsman Loop from Lonesome Lake, summiting both peaks with sweeping views of the White Mountains.