Mount Franklin (New Hampshire) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mount Franklin |
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The southern Presidential Range viewed from the west, with (L-R): Mount Washington, Mount Monroe, Mount Franklin, and Mount Eisenhower
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 5000+ ft (1524+ m) |
| Prominence | 25 ft (7.6 m) |
| Parent peak | Mount Monroe |
| Geography | |
 Location in New Hampshire
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | New Hampshire |
| District | Coös County |
| Parent range | Presidential Range |
| Subdivisions | Sargent's Purchase |
| Topo map | USGS Stairs Mountain |
| Climbing | |
| Easiest route | Hike |
Mount Franklin is a mountain located in Coös County, New Hampshire, in the United States. This mountain is named after Benjamin Franklin, a famous American inventor, writer, and statesman. It is an important part of the Presidential Range, which is a group of mountains within the larger White Mountains in New Hampshire. Even though Benjamin Franklin was a very important person in American history, he was never a president.
Mount Franklin sits between two other peaks in the Presidential Range. To its northeast, you'll find Mount Monroe, and to its southwest is Mount Eisenhower.
Where Does the Water Go?
Water from Mount Franklin flows in two main directions. On the northwest side, rain and melting snow drain into the Ammonoosuc River. This river then flows into the Connecticut River, which eventually reaches Long Island Sound in Connecticut.
On the southeast side of Mount Franklin, water flows into the Dry River. The Dry River then joins the Saco River, which empties into the Gulf of Maine in Maine. This means water from one mountain can travel to different oceans!
Hiking the Appalachian Trail
A very famous long-distance hiking path, the Appalachian Trail, crosses over Mount Franklin. This trail is about 2,170 miles long and stretches all the way from Georgia to Maine. As the Appalachian Trail goes through the main ridge of the Presidential Range, it passes over Mount Franklin on its way from Crawford Notch to the top of Mount Washington. Mount Franklin is also located on the northwest side of an area called the Dry River Wilderness, which is a protected natural space.
Even though Mount Franklin is quite tall, standing over 4,000 feet high, the Appalachian Mountain Club doesn't officially count it as one of New Hampshire's "Four-thousand footers". This is because of a specific rule they use. For a mountain to be considered a separate "four-thousand footer," it needs to rise at least 200 feet above the lowest point (called a "col" or "saddle") connecting it to a higher peak. Mount Franklin only rises about 65 feet above the col that connects it to Mount Monroe. Because of this, it's considered a smaller, secondary summit of Mount Monroe, rather than its own independent peak.
