Mount Liberty and Mount Flume

Hiking Mount Liberty and Mount Flume as an out and back via Liberty Spring Trail made for a great day in the White Mountains – expect a steep rocky trail and open summits with sweeping views.

Stats

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Route

Segment Distance

Total Distance

Route Description

0 mi0 miStart at Liberty Spring Trailhead
0.7 mi0.7 miPemi Trail to Liberty Spring Trail (some of this is on a paved bike path)
0.6 mi1.3 miLiberty Spring Trail to the junction with Flume Slide Trail
2.3 mi3.6 miLiberty Spring Trail to Franconia Ridge Trail
0.3 mi3.9 miFranconia Ridge Trail to summit of Mt. Liberty
1.2 mi5.1 miFranconia Ridge Trail to summit of Mt. Flume
1.2 mi6.3 miFranconia Ridge Trail back to summit of Mt. Liberty
0.3 mi6.6 miFranconia Ridge Trail back to Liberty Spring Trail
2.9 mi9.5 miLiberty Spring Trail back to Pemi Trail
0.7 mi10.2 miPemi Trail back to parking lot

Map

Note: Map mileage does not match stats because Gaia GPS tends to undercount it. Mileage stats were calculated using the White Mountain Guide and Trail Maps.

Hiking Mount Liberty and Mount Flume

Hike Date: Jun 13, 2020

In keeping with COVID-19 guidelines, we had not hiked in the White Mountains since early March. And wow, had we missed it! For the past three months, we trained however we could – stairs with packs, strength training, local hikes. It was well worth it. We hiked this 10.2 mile out and back of Mt. Liberty and Mt. Flume and loved every minute of it. Our legs were fatigued by the end, but our training really helped us stay in hiking shape.

We started at Liberty Spring Trailhead and walked about 0.7 miles on the Pemi Trail, which briefly joined a paved bike path and crossed a bridge over the Pemigewasset River, to reach Liberty Spring Trail. This trail, a section of the Appalachian Trail, offered a slow and steady incline with relatively soft footing for the beginning of the hike, which was exactly what we needed to ease back into hiking.

Bridge Over Pemi River
Bridge Over the Pemigewasset River
Liberty Spring Trail Gentle Section
Gentle Section of Liberty Spring Trail

After 0.6 miles on Liberty Spring Trail, we ran into the junction with Flume Slide Trail that takes you up the incredibly steep and notoriously slippery Flume Slide to hike Mt. Flume and Liberty as a loop. This time, we opted to continue up Liberty Spring Trail to complete our hike as an out and back in order to avoid the steep and potentially dangerous section. Shortly after the juncture sign, we came to a stream crossing and the elevation really picked up from there, remaining consistently rocky and steep for the rest of the 2.6 mi ascent to Mt. Liberty. It felt like a never-ending rock stairmaster through a tunnel of beautifully vibrant spring green of new growth.

Liberty Spring and Flume Slide Junction
Liberty Spring and Flume Slide Junction
Stream Crossing on Liberty Spring Trail
Stream Crossing on Liberty Spring Trail
Rock Steps Up Liberty Spring Trail
Rock Steps Up Liberty Spring Trail

Close to the ridgeline, we passed Liberty Springs Tentsite, which has a spring for a water source and tent platforms for backpackers. After completing most of the elevation gain, we reached Franconia Ridge Trail and turned right to make the last steep climb to Mt. Liberty.

Liberty Spring
Liberty Spring
Final Climb to Mount Liberty
Final Climb to Mount Liberty

It lifted our spirits to emerge from the trees and see the massive rock outcrop atop Mt. Liberty. Once on the summit, we were almost touching the clouds as they hovered low over the peaks. They were rolling in from Franconia Notch, climbing up the slopes and obscuring the view of Cannon Mountain. We did have clear views into the Pemi Wilderness and Mt. Flume, our next destination!

Mount Liberty
Mount Liberty
View of Mount Flume from Mount Liberty
View of Mount Flume from Mount Liberty

After a quick break and snack, we kept moving down the trail, heading 1.2 mi to Mt. Flume. The first section of the col consisted of some steep rock slabs, and then leveled out along a muddy track before the last ascent. With many others hiking towards us while doing the traditional loop or having started at Lincoln Woods, it felt a little like swimming upstream and we moved as quickly as possible to the summit of Mt. Flume. The clouds still hung low overhead as we took in the incredible views, marveling at the exploding green on the mountains’ flanks. We snapped a few pictures and turned around to retrace our steps back to the parking lot. 

Rock Slabs Between Liberty and Flume
Rock Slabs Between Liberty and Flume
Taking in the View From Mount Flume
Taking in the View From Mount Flume
View From Mount Flume
View From Mount Flume

By the time we passed back over Mt. Liberty, it was totally socked in with no views at all. The rocky descent jostled our joints and made us work for every step. It was a relief and a joy to get down to the easier forest path for the last mile or so to end an amazing hiking day.

Pemi Trail Sign
Pemi Trail Sign

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