Liberty Spring Trail
On the way up Mount Liberty, Mount Flume · New Hampshire
Liberty Spring Trail is a trail on and around Franconia Ridge, climbing about 2,800 ft from Cascade Brook to the Franconia Ridge Trail junction.
Map length
2.6 mi
Climb from the low end
2,799 ft
Book time up / down (from map miles)
2 h 41 min / 1 h 18 min
High point
4,233 ft
Above treeline
None
Steepest ¼ mile
1,723 ft/mi
Stream crossings
1 (1 ford)
Low point
1,430 ft
Measured on the map. The AMC guide and Forest Service figures usually run 5 to 15% longer.
HikerNerd routes on this trail
Liberty Spring Trail
Mile by mile (map miles)
From Cascade Brook (the lower end) to Franconia Ridge Trail junction.
- 0.0Cascade Brook
- 0.5Junction with Flume Slide Trail
- 1.0Fords a stream
- 2.4Liberty Spring
- 2.4Liberty Springs Tentsite
- 2.6Junction with Franconia Ridge Trail
Distances and book times (map miles)
To Flume Slide Trail junction
0.54 mi (total 0.54) · ↑387 ↓0 ft · 28 min / 16 min
To Liberty Springs Tentsite
1.82 mi (total 2.36) · ↑2,040 ↓0 ft · 1 h 56 min / 55 min
To Franconia Ridge Trail junction
0.23 mi (total 2.59) · ↑348 ↓0 ft · 17 min / 7 min
| From | To | Map miles | Total | Climb ↑ / ↓ | Time ↑ / ↓ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cascade Brook | Flume Slide Trail junction | 0.54 | 0.54 | 387 / 0 ft | 28 min / 16 min |
| Flume Slide Trail junction | Liberty Springs Tentsite | 1.82 | 2.36 | 2,040 / 0 ft | 1 h 56 min / 55 min |
| Liberty Springs Tentsite | Franconia Ridge Trail junction | 0.23 | 2.59 | 348 / 0 ft | 17 min / 7 min |
↑ walking from Cascade Brook; ↓ the other way. Book time: 2 mph over the map miles plus 30 minutes per 1,000 ft of climbing.
Trailheads and parking
Cascade Brook
0.2 mi walk to the start of the trail
Trailhead
Weekends (all seasons): Full in 1 of 8 reports, as early as 3:30 pm; others found space as late as 7:45 am.
Weekdays (all seasons): Had space in all 10 reports, as late as 3 pm.
Latest report, Fri, Sep 4: Plenty of room at 7 am and 2 pm.
Summit conditions
Today's conditions reportRecent trip reports
No reports on this trail in the last 30 days; the latest are below. From hikers on New England Trail Conditions.
- Fri, Sep 4MudWetDry
Water crossings: Easy to rock hop on crossing of Cascade Brook.
Full report on NETC - Fri, Sep 4MudWetDry
Water crossings: All crossings were easy hops
Full report on NETC - Wed, Aug 26MudWet
Water crossings: All easily passable
Full report on NETC - Sat, Aug 22MudDry
Water crossings: No issues
Full report on NETC - Sat, Aug 15MudWetDry
Water crossings: It's been dry all summer, all water crossing on Falling Waters, Liberty Spring, and Flume Slide trails were easy rock hops.
Full report on NETC
Connecting trails
What to bring
From the summit forecast, Sat to MonPaid links. Backcountry.com pays me if you buy. Prices are Backcountry's, checked twice a day.
60 mph
Summit gusts
Plan a below-treeline hike
Daytime gusts near 60 mph above treeline. Pick a sheltered route or another day.
29°F
Summit low
Microspikes
Summit lows near 29°F, so expect ice on rock and the upper trail.
11h 13m
Daylight
Headlamp
Sunset around 6:08 PM, so a late start or a slow descent ends in the dark.
The rest of the list: Winter gear guide · How I pick gear
Trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). Elevation: USGS 3DEP. Distances are measured from the map and can differ from signs and guidebooks. Conditions change: check before you go.