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Date(s) Hiked: Saturday, 6/26/2004
Trails(s) Hiked: Falling Waters, Franconia Ridge, Greenleaf, Old Bridle Path
Total Distance: ~9 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Conditions: Slight drizzle to start, then a socked in ridge walk, and then clearing. Little wind, Temps in the 50's-70's.
Special Required Equipment: The usual above treeline White Mountains summer gear
Trip Report: I arrived at the parking area around 9:15 Am and was suprised to meet Stephen there. I didn't think he was going to do the loop with me. After our first face-to-face meeting, we geared up and hit the trails. The weather to start was cloudy with a rain drop here and there. We followed numerous groups of people up Falling Waters. At one point I mentioned to Stephen that I would hike ahead and wait at the Shining Rock Spur trail.
Pretty uneventful hike up a very humid Falling Waters Trail. I took a few quick pictures of the various falls. At the Shining Rock junction I took a break and enjoyed two slices of cold pizza. Stephen arrived and we pressed on to Little Haystack. The summits were totally socked in. I was feeling very good physically despite this being my first hike in some time, so I mentioned to Stephen that I would haul along the ridge and wait for him at Greenleaf Hut.
The ridge walk was fun, albeit cloudy. Still great to be above treeline. Saw a lot of hikers but probably not as many as possible given the poor weather conditions. I flew right over Lincoln, not even realzing that I summited it. I then found myself on Lafayette. I took one picture to document the socked in summit and then down Greenleaf Trail. About a 1/2 mile down I noticed some brightening; then a break in the clouds over the hut; then the Cannon ski trails; then Cannon Cliffs. Within literally 5 mintes, most of the cloudiness rose above Franconia Ridge! So what to do? Turn around and re-summit of course!
I headed back up Lafayette very quickly and took in some great views of Cannon, F-Ridge, and the Pemi. Once at the summit I continued on towards Lincoln on the F-Ridge to meet up with Stephen. I met him in the Lincoln/Lafayette col just before the final climb back to Lafayette summit. We descended the summit cone together and at one point Stephen took a break and I pressed on to the hut.
I took a rest in the sun and enjoyed some cheese and a candy bar. Stephen arrived a few minutes later. He took a break inside enjoying some soup and bread. We left the hut together and I mentioned I would head down quickly to do some shopping before meeting the gang for the FOT48 meeting at Hancock campground.
I was able to easily pass a large group of people who were hauling down an injured hiker in a sled. We had seen her at the hut as well. Once passed, I quickly descended the Agony Ridge via the Old Bridle Path. Views back towards F-Ridge are spectacluar. Reached the lot at 5:15 PM and then headed to Lincoln and then Hancock campground.
We really lucked out with the weather breaking towards the end of the hike! Click HERE for images.
Trails(s) Hiked: Falling Waters, Franconia Ridge, Greenleaf, Old Bridle Path
Total Distance: ~9 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Conditions: Slight drizzle to start, then a socked in ridge walk, and then clearing. Little wind, Temps in the 50's-70's.
Special Required Equipment: The usual above treeline White Mountains summer gear
Trip Report: I arrived at the parking area around 9:15 Am and was suprised to meet Stephen there. I didn't think he was going to do the loop with me. After our first face-to-face meeting, we geared up and hit the trails. The weather to start was cloudy with a rain drop here and there. We followed numerous groups of people up Falling Waters. At one point I mentioned to Stephen that I would hike ahead and wait at the Shining Rock Spur trail.
Pretty uneventful hike up a very humid Falling Waters Trail. I took a few quick pictures of the various falls. At the Shining Rock junction I took a break and enjoyed two slices of cold pizza. Stephen arrived and we pressed on to Little Haystack. The summits were totally socked in. I was feeling very good physically despite this being my first hike in some time, so I mentioned to Stephen that I would haul along the ridge and wait for him at Greenleaf Hut.
The ridge walk was fun, albeit cloudy. Still great to be above treeline. Saw a lot of hikers but probably not as many as possible given the poor weather conditions. I flew right over Lincoln, not even realzing that I summited it. I then found myself on Lafayette. I took one picture to document the socked in summit and then down Greenleaf Trail. About a 1/2 mile down I noticed some brightening; then a break in the clouds over the hut; then the Cannon ski trails; then Cannon Cliffs. Within literally 5 mintes, most of the cloudiness rose above Franconia Ridge! So what to do? Turn around and re-summit of course!
I headed back up Lafayette very quickly and took in some great views of Cannon, F-Ridge, and the Pemi. Once at the summit I continued on towards Lincoln on the F-Ridge to meet up with Stephen. I met him in the Lincoln/Lafayette col just before the final climb back to Lafayette summit. We descended the summit cone together and at one point Stephen took a break and I pressed on to the hut.
I took a rest in the sun and enjoyed some cheese and a candy bar. Stephen arrived a few minutes later. He took a break inside enjoying some soup and bread. We left the hut together and I mentioned I would head down quickly to do some shopping before meeting the gang for the FOT48 meeting at Hancock campground.
I was able to easily pass a large group of people who were hauling down an injured hiker in a sled. We had seen her at the hut as well. Once passed, I quickly descended the Agony Ridge via the Old Bridle Path. Views back towards F-Ridge are spectacluar. Reached the lot at 5:15 PM and then headed to Lincoln and then Hancock campground.
We really lucked out with the weather breaking towards the end of the hike! Click HERE for images.
