Often billed as one of the best hikes in the northeast – the Franconia Ridge Loop up Falling Waters, taking in Little Haystack, Mount Lincoln, and then Mount Lafayette – certainly lives up to the billing. This is a very popular hike, so make sure you arrive early at the trailhead to get a good parking space, especially on weekends. Tackled this on a Saturday morning and arrived at 7 AM. Spaces were available and the lot was attended. Given the beautiful weather on a Saturday in September, there were a lot of hikers on the trail – younger, older, families, teens, people with dogs. Weather conditions couldn't have been better – little or no wind on the ridge.