Lonesome Lake

Sunday January 10, 2021

This is a terrific place for a hike that is easy to get to, has a wonderful view of Franconia Ridge as long as you don’t mind a small climb and are not looking to summit a peak. Lonesome Lake is a beautiful destination for a hike. A pretty trail surrounds the lake and a hut sits on its shore, open anytime there is not a pandemic. I highly suggest this hike for anyone looking to break into winter hiking.

My partner and I had only just decided to enter the world of winter hiking in a serious way. We have continued hiking throughout the entire pandemic and are experienced during non frozen months. Over the week leading up to this we had purchased microspikes, gaiters, and winter hiking boots to be properly equipped. On this day the hike would have been possible with regular hiking footwear and some warm clothes, but it felt good to be prepared.

We parked at the Old Bridle Path parking lot on the northbound side of 93 and passed under the highway through a pedestrian tunnel to get to the Lonesome Lake trailhead. We equipped our microspikes and began the ascent. A handful of trail runners passed us and we felt a little silly with packs full of extra layers, spikes and gaiters while being passed by people in sneakers and no pack.

We made our way through the Lafayette Campground, keeping straight. The slope was easy until we passed Hi-Cannon Trail on our right just over a quarter mile in. The trail became fairly steep but the rising elevation meant we could peer back over our shoulder to see Franconia Ridge rising behind us. Our microspikes provided terrific tration in the packed powder. The steady grade continued for just under three quarters of a mile.

Then the trail leveled out as we passed through some gorgeous coniferous forest draped in snow. The bright white snow and perfect blue sky felt like an imaginary world. After maybe a quarter mile through this wonderland, we arrived at the lake shore.

The frozen, flat, snow covered surface looked like a tundra and we opted to stay in the cover of the forest by taking a right turn to walk on Around Lonesome Lake Trail. When we reached the north shore we crossed a marsh over snow covered puncheon where we lost much of the tree’s protection and felt the cold winds blowing down from the Cannon Balls. We got the absolute best views of Franconia Ridge across the lake immediately after crossing the marsh. After a quarter mile circumnavigating the lake we reached the west shore and Lonesome Lake Hut.

Due to COVID the hut was closed, as expected, and we took a seat on a well placed log and enjoyed our delicious turkey sandwich accompanied by some hot chocolate. By this point we had appreciated all of the layers and gear, especially the high gaiters which kept our calves nice and toasty. We sat and delighted at the wonderful view across the lake and beyond to the ridge. Apparently I had read correctly about how great of a beginner winter hike this was and I was thoroughly satisfied in sharing this place with my partner.

After we had our fill and enough of the chill, we packed up the few items we were not wearing and bee lined it across the lake. By the time we reached the middle of the lake, the wind was quite strong and I wondered why I had left any skin on my face exposed.

When we reached the opposite shore I had never been more thankful for the cover of trees. I instantly warmed up with my countless layers and hand-warmer-filled mittens. We followed the exact path we came up and made it back down in what felt like no time. We only stopped once when my hands and body were too warm and I needed to delayer.

We had a great time with our first geared up winter hike. I highly recommend this hike to anyone trying to break into winter hiking or for a nice moderate climb with a beautiful destination for any season.