Cannon Cascades

Chris Brooks

Echo-Basin bus
landmarkelevdisttime
Echo Lake1980011:00am
Cannon Mtn.41002.0mi1:10
lunch  1:40
Hi-Cannon Tr. (left on 3)38502.5mi2:00
Dodge Cutoff28503.7mi3:05
Lonesome Lake27404.0mi3:20
rest  4:00
Basin-Cascades Tr. (left on 8)20845.6mi5:00
Basin Lot15206.6mi6:00


The trailhead is due South of the visitor center at the Echo Lake tramway parking lot (Exit 34b). From here there's a moderate ascent, though with some steeper rock scrambles, to the beautiful top of Cannon Mountain. The outpost there provides amazing views of all of Franconia Notch and the Kinsman area.

You can trade time at the summit against time swimming at Lonesome Lake. This is a small, cool lake about half way down the other side of Cannon Mountain. It's also a welcome rest between steep descents to the Lafayette Parking lot. If running a bit short on time or in a hurry to swim, the Lonesome Lake trail is a shorter, though less fun and less technical descent than Hi-Cannon.

From Lonesome Lake, you'll be taking the long and beautiful way down. Most of this is an easy grade, and you're expected to go quickly. As you reach the junction with the Basin Cascades Trail (8), For a good view of Rocky Glen Falls from above, walk cautiously about 60yd. down the brook bank.

If you're doing especially well on time at this point, you can choose the Basin Cascades trail taking a right on the Pemi Trail, adding 0.3mi and an estimated extra ten minutes to your hike, but with spectacular brook crossings as you descend along Cascade Brook.

I have stolen heavily from the White Mountain Guide for this summary.