Location and surroundings
Cannon Mountain is located in the United States within the state of New Hampshire. Geographically, it is part of the Appalachian Mountains, the Northern U.S. Appalachians, the White Mountains, the Western White Mountains, and directly belongs to the Kinsman Range. Within administrative boundaries defined by OpenStreetMap, it sits in the municipality of Franconia within Grafton County. The peak ranks as the 58th highest out of 1,740 named peaks in New Hampshire and stands as the 3rd highest among the 14 named peaks of the Kinsman Range. The mountain is an exfoliating granite dome situated inside Franconia Notch State Park, surrounded by a rugged landscape of steep ridges, forested valleys, and dramatic cliffs.
Neighbouring peaks
The immediate surroundings feature several notable neighbouring peaks and passes:
- The Cannon Balls: peak, 1,115 m, 1.8 km SW
- Bald Mountain: peak, 682 m, 3.0 km N
- North Peak Kinsman Mountain: peak, 1,309 m, 4.0 km SW
- Bald Peak: peak, 750 m, 4.3 km W
- Mount Lafayette: peak, 1,600 m, 4.4 km E
- North Lincoln: peak, 1,524 m, 4.4 km E
- Mount North Lafayette: peak, 1,519 m, 4.4 km E
- Mount Lincoln: peak, 1,551 m, 4.4 km E
Compared to these nearby elevations, Cannon Mountain is lower than the major neighboring summits of the Franconia Range such as Mount Lafayette and Mount Lincoln, while standing taller than Bald Mountain and The Cannon Balls, which are its closest sub-peaks.
The view from the summit
From the upper areas and summit of Cannon Mountain, climbers and hikers can observe several of the region's major high points within a 25-kilometer radius. The prominent peaks in sight include:
- South Twin Mountain: 1,491 m, 12.0 km E
- Mount Moosilauke: 1,468 m, 18.2 km SW
- Little Haystack Mountain: 1,440 m, 4.6 km SE
- Mount Bond: 1,432 m, 13.4 km E
- Mount Carrigain: 1,422 m, 21.3 km E
- Mount Liberty: 1,353 m, 6.4 km SE
These surrounding giants dominate the horizon across the White Mountains, offering expansive vistas of neighboring ranges and deep forested notches.
The range
Cannon Mountain is part of the Kinsman Range, a sub-range within the Western White Mountains. The highest point of the Kinsman Range is South Peak Kinsman Mountain, which reaches 1,320 meters in elevation and is located 5 kilometers southwest of Cannon Mountain. The range contains 14 named peaks in total, spanning across the regional landscape of New Hampshire. Within this specific chain, Cannon Mountain holds the 3rd position in overall elevation. The broader mountain system traces its lineage through the White Mountains and the Northern U.S. Appalachians as part of the massive Appalachian Mountains chain in the eastern part of the country.
Climbing routes
Cannon Cliff is the largest vertical rock face in the Northeast, measuring roughly 1,000 feet high and more than 1 mile long, featuring technical rock, ice, and mixed routes. Notable rock climbing routes include the Whitney-Gilman Ridge, a 5.7, 5-pitch route up the central arête featuring the 'Pipe Pitch' exposure over the Black Dike, first ascended by Bradley Gilman and Hassler Whitney on August 3, 1929. Another major line is Moby Grape, a 5.8, 9-pitch route ascending the tallest section of the cliff, first climbed by Joe Cote and Roger Martin in July 1972. For ice and mixed climbing, popular lines include The Black Dike, a 500-foot, 3-pitch mixed climb first soloed by John Bouchard on December 18, 1971, and Omega, a 5+ mixed route first climbed by John Bouchard and Rainsford Rouner in 1976. Climbers approach via an ambiguous path up the right side of the talus field and are asked to sign in and out of a log book.
Access and starting points
Access to the trail network and base area is centered around Franconia Notch State Park, with the usual starting town being Franconia. The Kinsman Ridge Trail starts on the northeast side of the mountain in Franconia Notch near the base of the Tramway—traditionally accessed from Lafayette Campground—and passes near the summit before heading southwest across The Cannon Balls and the Kinsman peaks toward Kinsman Notch. The Mittersill-Cannon Trail provides access from the northwest during spring, summer, and autumn, traversing Mittersill Peak. Additionally, the Appalachian Trail passes near Lonesome Lake on the south side, where the Appalachian Mountain Club maintains the Lonesome Lake Hut.
Climate and weather
Climate estimates derived from NASA POWER data covering 2001 through 2020 indicate that the summit experiences a mean temperature of about 14 °C in July, the warmest month, and about -12 °C in January, the coldest month. Months with a mean temperature above freezing at the summit include May, June, July, August, September, and October. Precipitation in the surrounding area totals about 1,200 mm annually, with June being the wettest month at about 125 mm and January the driest at about 65 mm. Weather hazards in this region include rapidly shifting conditions, severe winds, and freezing temperatures at higher elevations. Notably, on April 2, 1973, researchers from the University of Massachusetts Amherst measured a surface wind gust of 199.5 mph on the summit, representing the physical limit of the recording instrument and the second strongest surface wind gust ever recorded in the United States.
Best time to visit
The most favorable months for visiting Cannon Mountain generally align with the period when the summit experiences mean temperatures above freezing, spanning from May through October. These months offer more manageable conditions for hiking, rock climbing, and general exploration of Franconia Notch State Park. Spring, summer, and early autumn provide open trail conditions, while winter brings severe sub-zero temperatures and prime conditions for ice and mixed climbing on Cannon Cliff as well as downhill skiing at the ski area.
Nature and wildlife
The landscape of Cannon Mountain and the surrounding White Mountains is characterized by dense northern hardwood and spruce-fir forests, exposed granite talus slopes, and high-elevation ridges. Vegetation transitions from deciduous trees at lower elevations to stunted conifers near the summit. Wildlife native to the region includes white-tailed deer, black bears, moose, smaller forest mammals, and various migratory and resident bird species. The mountain is protected within the boundaries of Franconia Notch State Park, preserving its natural features, alpine plants, and geological formations.
Guides and organised ascents
For visitors seeking organized ascents or technical instruction on steep terrain and cliffs, hiring a certified guide is advisable. In the United States, the national mountain guide association is the American Mountain Guides Association, which is a member of the IFMGA/UIAGM. The national alpine club is the American Alpine Club. Established guiding companies operating in the country include RMI Expeditions based in Ashford, Washington, and Exum Mountain Guides based in Moose, Wyoming. A guided ascent typically includes professional instruction, safety equipment, and route navigation, with prices varying based on the number of days, group size, and technical difficulty. Permit rules in the United States vary by land agency, with certain peaks and regions requiring prior climbing registration or permits.
Safety and preparation
The terrain on Cannon Mountain, particularly on the vertical rock and ice faces of Cannon Cliff and the exposed ridges, demands proper mountain experience, physical conditioning, and technical equipment. Weather conditions can deteriorate rapidly, and winter temperatures are severe. In the event of an emergency, the general emergency number for mountain rescue in the United States is 911. Dispatchers will alert the local search and rescue team, which is typically run by the county sheriff or national park authorities. Climbers on the cliffs are also required to sign in and out of a log book at the base to assist search parties if anyone is overdue.
History and name
Historically known as Profile Mountain from 1917 until its official renaming by the US Board on Geographic Names in 1972, the mountain has also been called Frank Mountain. The names derive from natural rock formations on the mountain: the former referenced the famous Old Man of the Mountain profile, which stood until it collapsed on May 3, 2003, while the current name comes from a series of boulders that resemble an antique cannon when viewed from the base. Early tourists and naturalists frequently climbed the slopes in the 19th century, and rock climbers began pioneering routes on the cliffs in the 1920s. The mountain's ski area is one of the oldest in North America, featuring the Taft Slalom cut in 1933 as the first racing trail in the region and the first aerial tramway in North America built in 1938. A new tram was erected in 1980, and one of the old cabins now serves as the entranceway to the New England Ski Museum, opened at the base in 1982.
Interesting facts
Cannon Mountain holds several notable distinctions within regional geography and history. It is the 3rd highest peak out of 14 named peaks in the Kinsman Range. Its nearest higher peak is North Peak Kinsman Mountain, located 4.0 kilometers to the southwest at an elevation of 1,309 meters. The cliff face features the historic Whitney-Gilman Ridge, climbed as early as 1929. Furthermore, the summit was the site of extreme meteorological history on April 2, 1973, when researchers recorded a surface wind gust of 199.5 mph, marking the second strongest wind gust ever measured in the United States.
FAQ
What is the elevation of Cannon Mountain? The elevation of Cannon Mountain is 1,244 meters (4,080 feet).
Where is Cannon Mountain located? It is located in the United States, within the state of New Hampshire, Grafton County, and the municipality of Franconia, inside Franconia Notch State Park.
Which mountain range does Cannon Mountain belong to? It belongs to the Appalachian Mountains, the Northern U.S. Appalachians, the White Mountains, the Western White Mountains, and the Kinsman Range.
What are the nearest peaks to Cannon Mountain? The nearest peaks include The Cannon Balls (1,115 m, 1.8 km SW), Bald Mountain (682 m, 3.0 km N), and North Peak Kinsman Mountain (1,309 m, 4.0 km SW).
How long does it take to walk up Cannon Mountain? Ascending via the Kinsman Ridge Trail from Lafayette Campground takes about 3 to 4 hours, rated as moderate to strenuous.
Is there mobile phone coverage on Cannon Mountain? There is good mobile coverage on the summit and upper ridges due to telecommunications towers, including a UHF amateur radio repeater and repeaters for WMUR-TV; however, 112 or 911 reaches emergency services over any available network, and digital maps should be downloaded before setting out.
Is there water on the way to Cannon Mountain? While Lonesome Lake and the Lonesome Lake Hut are located on the south side of the mountain, hikers should carry an adequate supply of water, typically 1.5 to 3 liters for a day hike, and treat any natural water sources collected along the trails.