Region
Highlights
- Cannon Mountain is a 4000-footer in the White Mountains of New Hampshire.
- Located within Franconia Notch State Park.
- Known for both its technical rock and ice climbing (particularly on Cannon Cliff, pictured) and its skiing (the state-owned Cannon Mountain Ski Area), the mountain was home to the Old Man of the Mountain until the formation collapsed on May 3, 2003.
- It is the parent mountain of three mountains collectively known as "The Cannon Balls."
- The mountain is a type of geological formation known as an exfoliating granite dome which is layered like an onion.
- The Kinsman Ridge Trail can be taken un-interrupted from the trailhead to the summit.
- Two other features of the mountain which attract hikers are the Appalachian Trail and the Appalachian Mountain Club-maintained Lonesome Lake Hut.
- Cannon Cliff is the largest vertical rock face in the Northeast at roughly 1,000 vertical feet and more than a mile long.
- As written in a description of climbing possibilities on Cannon, "Some of the aid lines are long and difficult enough to require a bivy, making Cannon the only Big Wall in the northeast."
- Cannon is popular both in the summer months with free- and aid-climbers alike, and in the winter it attracts both ice climbers and mixed climbers .
Routes
71 climbs • 4.4 mi • 2,489 ft gain • 4 hr 9 min
25 climbs • 5.3 mi • 2,415 ft gain • 4 hr 54 min
5 climbs • 5.2 mi • 2,246 ft gain • 5 hr 42 min
Latest climbs
"Great weather to climb Cannon. The summit is always a little fickle, but we mostly had sunshine, lower 30s for a temp. We used spikes but above 3000 feet there is enough snow for shoes. The rime ice and recent snows have left the place looking like a winter wonderland." — Alohabuffy • Nov 19, 2025
"The tramway is due to be shut down the end of Oct. 2025 for an complete rebuild, which will take 2 years. After my meetup camping / hiking adventure, I decided to take a final ride before it was closed. Went up to the actual summit observation deck for the views, located the USGS Summit marker with Reference Mark #2 nearby, under the deck. Still lots of former FireTower footings and anchor relics embedded in the surrounding rocks on the summit area. Afterwards I followed the Kinsman Ridge trail down a ways, first to the Hi-Cannon Trail jct., then back and down toward the East Peak. Only dropped 100' until I realized I needed to get back to the tramway area in time for the last ride down for the day!" — SteveM_StickMan • Oct 1, 2025
"Not too much to report from this one. Great views on top of Cannon. It was very smoky from wildfires so couldn't see as far as I was hoping. Pretty typical white mountain trail, fun little scramble, there was some nice cool air lingering during the scramble section, felt good. Lot of people hiking to Lonesome Lake. Stopped in at the hut and said hi. No wildlife reported. Clocked 6.48 miles RT from Lonesome Lake Trailhead. " — ryangallant • Jun 4, 2025
"A hike up Cannon with Molly and Sarah. Cloud cover was above us so we could see stuff today. It has been awhile since I was last on the tower. Some ice and snow scattered around. I managed to bareboot the KRT!" — newenglandwarrior • May 11, 2024
"A hike for a Calendar Day and for Molly's Grid. We did a car spot so we could grab NE Cannonball for her NEHHw. From Lafayette Campground, we hiked up a hard packed trail up to Lonesome Lake. We then hiked into the col. A short steep hike took us to NE Cannonball. We carefully came down (some slick spots) then headed up Cannon. There was a lot of really icy areas and we had to go off trail for a few of them. Once above them, it was a quick hike to the summit of Cannon. It was windy on the summit and some low cloud cover. We were not socked in, but Franconia Ridge was not visible. We came down the KRT down to the Tramway." — newenglandwarrior • Mar 2, 2024
"Took Hi-Cannon up and back. Recent rain has left it very slick in spots. But all went well including the famous ladder. The summit was swarming with Tram people. Beautiful day though." — Alohabuffy • Jul 26, 2023
"A low cloud cover kind of day with things being wet and muddy at higher elevations. Headed up the KRT from the Tramway side. Reached the summit then headed out. Not much for views today thanks to the clouds. Claimed a calendar day. " — newenglandwarrior • May 25, 2023
"Kinsmans ridge trail was in excellent shape. Still used the snowshoes though. The Heel-o-vators were great with the steep trail. Warm, sunny and calm winds all the way up. Clouds and wind moved in on the descent. Saw one hiker, but a few skiers." — Alohabuffy • Mar 21, 2023
"Beautiful day for a hike but very slippery over the rock scrambles (most of the trail) with the hard recent rain. A lot of mud spots and standing water that was tough to get around in places. Foliage had mostly passed but still some great views. Busy at the top with the tram carting people to the tower. " — AndreaM • Oct 15, 2022
"A solo hike on a beautiful warm day. Bugs were around but not too annoying. Scree part of trail for about.5 mile. Then rock slabs and stone steps UP! Looked out on Echo Lake and Franconia Ridge from yesterday. It leveled out a bit at the top. More rock scrambles up to Tram and Observation Tower. Met a ton of people on the way down! " — lfrancois • Jun 25, 2022
Photos
Awards
Challenges
About peakery awards
Log climbs on peakery to earn awards:
Peak Badges: Earn a special badge for each unique peak you summit. See all of your badges on your Badges page.
First Ascent Award: Only 1 available per peak. Goes to the first peakery member to log a successful summit of a peak. Snag this award and the peak will forever bear your name.
King of the Mountain Award: Only 1 available per peak. Summit a peak more times than any other member. Beware: this award can be lost!
Summit Steward: Summit a peak at least 5 times to become one of its Summit Stewards. As Steward of a peak, you’re encouraged to keep that peak’s info up-to-date on peakery and spread goodwill on your future climbs up the peak.