dirt_girl
New member
Date(s) Hiked: Flume and Liberty August 11th 2004
Trails(s) Hiked: Whitehouse, Liberty Springs, Flume Slide and Franconia Ridge
Total Distance: Guesstimating, 9.2 miles
Difficulty: Rocks are slippery when wet.
Conditions: Wet, warm and humid.
Special Required Equipment:
Trip Report: As I drove north the clouds were pressing down and driving through a couple of fierce rain storms was unbelievably awesome. I made the trailhead parking lot north the Franconia Visitor Center just before 8 am with the clouds lifting. I made a quick check for rain gear and off I went. I took the Whitehouse Trail over to the paved bike path. A short distance and two bridges later I was onto the Liberty Springs Trail which was nice and relatively flat, giving me time to warm up before labouring up the steep incline I was expecting. The stillness was almost spooky; just the sound of my heartbeat, accumulated moisture falling from the highest reaches of the canopy and the ever present sound of “jake brakes” from the road below, which caused my heartbeat to quicken every time because my thoughts were of bears. The journey to the Flume Slide Trail was a sweat fest as the weather was oppressive; there was no breeze. I am now completely convinced the White Mountains get their name from being shrouded in clouds, not snow. This did not deter me from my mission, two more peaks, some peace and quiet and a shot of confidence.
I am certain I would rather ascend than descend the Flume Slide Trail. While pleasant enough for the first portion; it was definitely a scramble at times near the top. I went into “spidy” mode on the ledges after having lost my grip, a couple of fingernails and a few feet in distance. I hadn’t seen a single person on the trail and actually wondered how long it would take for someone to find me if something bad had happened? Then I was exceedingly careful not to bring that thought to fruition. I hate the uphill and that was some uphill, I reached Franconia Ridge exhausted (and yes faithful readers) dirty. However, with no view to be had, but plenty of white, cool wind, I layered up, broke out the chocolate in celebration of my survival and marched on following the Franconia Ridge Trail over to Liberty. I am quite fond of ridge walking; it seemed effortless after having scrambled up the last part of the previous trail. Up and over (again no view) Liberty, I was so happy to be on the down hill side of this trip! Just down from the summit, I stopped for lunch, peeled off a layer and listened to the sound of quiet. I had no idea how much of an appetite I had worked up until I started eating. Best lunch ever!! I probably stayed for longer than I should have as getting up was most difficult.
The Liberty Springs Trail is straight down for a very long way. I was so happy I didn’t come up this way! However, the trail was far more stable in terms of footing and no scrambling required. I chatted with the first person I’d seen all day at the Liberty Spring tent site. Further on I chanced to meet another charming man, a NOBO on his second, back to back, trip from one end of this country to the other. I was captivated and amazed by his story telling abilities and could have listened all day. He shared his stories, we had some laughs and I shared a bag of trail mix. He thanked me for the trail mix, the conversation and we parted company in opposite directions. I wondered for a long time what would possess a person to hike the AT twice and what a person must possess to be able to accomplish such a task???!! I have issues with doing the same 4000 footer twice!
The sun had scattered itself about as I once again became aware of my surroundings. I crossed a couple brooks, one with water and one with out much. The trail finally leveled off some leaving me an easy walk. Today the bird songs, dancing shadows and a powerful sense of gratitude kept me company on my way out of the woods.
dirt_girl
Trails(s) Hiked: Whitehouse, Liberty Springs, Flume Slide and Franconia Ridge
Total Distance: Guesstimating, 9.2 miles
Difficulty: Rocks are slippery when wet.
Conditions: Wet, warm and humid.
Special Required Equipment:
Trip Report: As I drove north the clouds were pressing down and driving through a couple of fierce rain storms was unbelievably awesome. I made the trailhead parking lot north the Franconia Visitor Center just before 8 am with the clouds lifting. I made a quick check for rain gear and off I went. I took the Whitehouse Trail over to the paved bike path. A short distance and two bridges later I was onto the Liberty Springs Trail which was nice and relatively flat, giving me time to warm up before labouring up the steep incline I was expecting. The stillness was almost spooky; just the sound of my heartbeat, accumulated moisture falling from the highest reaches of the canopy and the ever present sound of “jake brakes” from the road below, which caused my heartbeat to quicken every time because my thoughts were of bears. The journey to the Flume Slide Trail was a sweat fest as the weather was oppressive; there was no breeze. I am now completely convinced the White Mountains get their name from being shrouded in clouds, not snow. This did not deter me from my mission, two more peaks, some peace and quiet and a shot of confidence.
I am certain I would rather ascend than descend the Flume Slide Trail. While pleasant enough for the first portion; it was definitely a scramble at times near the top. I went into “spidy” mode on the ledges after having lost my grip, a couple of fingernails and a few feet in distance. I hadn’t seen a single person on the trail and actually wondered how long it would take for someone to find me if something bad had happened? Then I was exceedingly careful not to bring that thought to fruition. I hate the uphill and that was some uphill, I reached Franconia Ridge exhausted (and yes faithful readers) dirty. However, with no view to be had, but plenty of white, cool wind, I layered up, broke out the chocolate in celebration of my survival and marched on following the Franconia Ridge Trail over to Liberty. I am quite fond of ridge walking; it seemed effortless after having scrambled up the last part of the previous trail. Up and over (again no view) Liberty, I was so happy to be on the down hill side of this trip! Just down from the summit, I stopped for lunch, peeled off a layer and listened to the sound of quiet. I had no idea how much of an appetite I had worked up until I started eating. Best lunch ever!! I probably stayed for longer than I should have as getting up was most difficult.
The Liberty Springs Trail is straight down for a very long way. I was so happy I didn’t come up this way! However, the trail was far more stable in terms of footing and no scrambling required. I chatted with the first person I’d seen all day at the Liberty Spring tent site. Further on I chanced to meet another charming man, a NOBO on his second, back to back, trip from one end of this country to the other. I was captivated and amazed by his story telling abilities and could have listened all day. He shared his stories, we had some laughs and I shared a bag of trail mix. He thanked me for the trail mix, the conversation and we parted company in opposite directions. I wondered for a long time what would possess a person to hike the AT twice and what a person must possess to be able to accomplish such a task???!! I have issues with doing the same 4000 footer twice!
The sun had scattered itself about as I once again became aware of my surroundings. I crossed a couple brooks, one with water and one with out much. The trail finally leveled off some leaving me an easy walk. Today the bird songs, dancing shadows and a powerful sense of gratitude kept me company on my way out of the woods.
dirt_girl
