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Artist's Bluff - Bald Mountain Trail
A White Mountain Hike with views of Mt. Lafayette, Cannon Mtn., Echo Lake and Franconia Notch
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 One of my first small hikes this season was the Artist’s Bluff / Bald Mountain trail in New Hampshire' s White Mountains. Heading south on Interstate 93 at the entrance to Franconia notch, the broad face of this ledge is visible to the right. Using the Echo Lake / Cannon Mountain exit will bring you to the trailhead and parking located directly across from the entrance to Cannon Mountain Ski Area.
This is a very pleasant and fairly easy hike which affords excellent views of Echo Lake, Cannon Mountain and Franconia Notch. Typically, the entrance to the large parking area is roped off and hikers should park perpendicular to the road near the sign "Hiker’s Parking" and walk across the lot to the trailhead.
The trail starts with a moderate grade and has areas of rocky terrain so footwear with good tread is necessary. It then levels off brief ly at the intersection of Bald Knob and Artist’s Bluff (this is a great loop trail, as well, but my destination on this day was the latter). Passing through picturesque woods, the trail continues moderately up with two scenic vistas to the right, sometimes mistaken for the actual bluff, not nearly as rewarding! Also deceiving is the fact that the trail then starts to descend, as the bluff is located halfway up the side of the mountain and not at the actual summit.
A short ways down and past an enormous boulder on the right, the trail forks again and continues down to the right but a left will bring you out onto the rocks that are Artist’s Bluff.
Atop this spectacular vantage point Cannon Mountain, Echo Lake, Mt Lafayette and the highway winding through the notch are visible directly in front of you. The area is large and level enough to pack up a picnic lunch and relax on the rocks with the sun shining down on your face and the incredible view of 4000 foot mountains in front of you – just don’t bring anything that will blow away! 
This short hike is manageable for children and supplies an extraordinary and gratifying experience for the young hiker. My dog, however, was put out by the unavailability of a cold mountain stream to drink from and shared a bottle of water, instead, looking forward to the traditional dip in Echo Lake after our descent.
To avoid walking the road back to the parking area the "short circuit trail" was cleared and labeled on the right - this will lead you through the woods back to your car. With a total of about 1.2 miles, this hike is perfect for anyone seeking a short and extremely satisfying White Mountain adventure!
- Jen K.
Franconia
Artist's Bluff & Bald Mountain
Views of Cannon Mountain and Franconia Notch
Location: Rte 18, across from Peabody Base Lodge.
(Can be steep and unmarked in places)
Distance/Time: 1.5 mile loop - about 1 1/2 hours
For more Franconia and White Mountain Hiking Trails and Paths, click here.
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