Trail Head Parking Problems & Solutions

One great challenge in hiking the White Mountains during the fair weather seasons can be finding a place to park. For several years now the trail head lots at Lafayette Place & Pinkham notch are full to overflowing every weekend from June to October. I've often seen while driving through Franconia Notch dozens of cars on both sides of I-93 dangerously parked in the ditch. The New Hampshire State Troopers warned that they would begin ticketing or towing cars parked on the highway for the last 2 years. This past weekend they started issuing those tickets. Next weekend expect the same and roped off breakdown lanes.

cars lined out illegally on the Franconia Notch Parkway

But there are solutions to this parking problem. Below are my 7 ideas to beat the rush to the trail head lots. Of course the most obvious solution is to get there early. If you are at the trail head before first light you will likely be fine. Most weekend days I can find a spot until 8 a.m., but not always. If you are not inclined to true Alpine start times, read on,

1) Go Late. All those hikers who jammed the trails at 8 a.m. are typically done mid afternoon. If I arrive at a popular trail after 2 pm I usually find a parking space without problem. As June and July come around there is enough daylight to hike for 7 hours on this "second shift". Starting late though has risks. You need to be a speedy hiker to have time to reach the higher peaks. If you are delayed you will likely hike out in the dark so bring a fully charged headlamp. Any rescue situation may mean being out all night. This is not a good strategy for folks new to hiking the White Mountains or unprepared for walking in the woods at night.

Back Country camping to reach distant peaks

2) Stay Over. The best way to get an early start on the trail is to be there already. Whether you stay in a hostel, camp nearby, or backpack to a shelter/tent site you'll be closer to the trail. Lots of options exist for those willing to sleep near or on the trail, from the Notch Hostel, to the AMC Highland Center or Joe Dodge Lodge, to the Lafayette place campground or multiple WMNF campgrounds, to the AMC back country tent sites. Pick your level of comfort and luxury in accommodations. 

3) Take the Shuttle. The AMC has run a shuttle service from the Pinkham Notch Center and Highland Center for several years. Last year the New Hampshire State Park Dept. started a shuttle in Franconia Notch going from the Cannon Tramway parking lot to the trail heads, and it's only $5 round trip. If you don't want to meet the shuttle schedule you can also book a private shuttle through Trail Angels.

4) Ride your Bike. This is my favorite way to get to popular trail heads in fair weather. I sometimes park at Great Glen or Cannon and ride my bike to the more crowded trail heads. Bike racks at Pinkham Notch and Lafayette Place make this very convenient. But I've never had a problem stashing my bike behind a tree at other trail heads either. The distance from those large parking lots to most trail heads in less than 3 miles. In Franconia Notch there is even a dedicated bike path. I do carry a dry bag to stash my helmet and bike shoes which I attach to the bike cable lock.

5) Choose a Different Path. If you want solitude but still get to the more popular peaks choose the paths less traveled by. Go up Greenleaf or Skookumchuck to Lafayette rather than Falling Waters Trail. Take the long route up Great Gulf or Davis Path to Mt. Washington. Access the Presidentials by Edmands Path or the Castle Trail rather than from the notches 

6) Discover Other Peaks. The original goal of the AMC 4000 footer list was to reduce traffic on the Presidential Ridge and the Franconia Ridge. It is still a valid goal. Perhaps this is the weekend to make the drive up to Mt. Cabot? Or maybe it's time to do the long trek out to Mt. Isolation? If you want to take in the views of the most peaks a hike up Mt. Carrigain is always a treat on a clear day.

7) Carpool/ Car spot. If you are hiking with a group try to use a single vehicle. This requires coordinating plans, but one less car is more space for another party. If you have hiker friends doing a different route, perhaps you can arrange a car spot or car swap. A car spot is similar to taking a shuttle, but without the fee. Of course it is up to the goodwill of your friends to drive you to your favored trail head. A car swap takes a little more organization. If you know another set of friends is hiking one direction on a trail and you are coming up the other, swap keys and meet back in town. This can be complicated to plan but allows you to take more distant trails to get to the same objectives.

I have no expectation that the popularity of hiking the Franconia Ridge or the Presidential Peaks is going to diminish. Nor do I expect the WMNF to add more parking spots in sufficient numbers. In order to start your day out on the right foot, plan to get the trail with a minimum of frustration by having a parking strategy in mind. With that, walk in peace friends.