Trails: Skookumchuck, Garfield Ridge, Franconia Ridge, Osseo, and Lincoln Woods
Total Distance: 15.6 miles Vertical Gain: 4760'
This day's hike was one we'd talked about for over a year. And because of those discussions, there was some interest between our past hiking partners. For today, we had Jack Shirley, Ted Wallace, and Chris Roark joining us.
There were some scattered thunderstorms in the forecast, and we only made the decision that morning between 2 hikes. Even with the potential weather, everyone wanted this one. This hike was a point to point hike, and it was really 3 separate sections. It started north of Franconia Notch, and was ending a few miles east of Lincoln, NH on the Kancamagus Highway. The Lincoln Woods Visitor Center was the goal.
Part #1- "The Climb"
This was a 5.1 mile ascent up the north side of Lafayette. At the trailhead.
Looks like a new sign, with wrong mileage.
The Skookumchuck trail brought us up to treeline. Jack and Thomas just below the ridge, with Ted hiding.
It took about 3 hours to gain the ridge, and the junction with the Garfield Ridge trail. Not many pics in the woods, but coming out, we had hopes of clearing skies. A little sun through the fog.
Ooops! Nice blink by me.
The gang enjoying a little break.
At this point, we know we'll be exposed above treeline for roughly 3 miles. Cause for concern if those thunderstorms roll in. Off we go.
Thomas scaling a giant Lego block set.
All of a sudden, the clouds start opening up. Thomas finds THE spot, with the Greenleaf Hut and Cannon Cliffs becoming visible before us.
Ted wants one.
So does Chris!
Here's one without our mugs.
Away we go.
Cannon Cliffs from a different angle. You can see the ski trails on Cannon Mountain.
Almost there. Impressive cairns to help direct us.
Just below the summit is the end of the Garfield Ridge trail, and the start of the Franconia Ridge trail. Also, the Greenleaf trail comes up from the Notch.
Part #2- "The Ridge"
Yes! #34 for us. Mt. Lafayette.
Jack looking over towards Owl's Head, with the Bonds behind it.
What, another band photo?!
The clouds giveth, and the clouds taketh away the views.
On the way to Mt. Lincoln
A different perspective of Cannon Mtn. and Greenleaf Hut.
The clouds were sitting on the left (east) side of the ridge.
We came to a bump on the ridge between Lafayette and Lincoln known as Mt. Truman. From here, the Kinsmans are showing themselves to the left of Cannon Cliffs. We hiked those 2 peaks exactly 1 year ago, on Labor Day Sunday.
Looking back at Lafayette.
And towards Lincoln.
Amazing how once again the clouds would just stick to the east side of the ridgeline.
Just before Lincoln's summit, the clouds were clearing again. There were major rock-slides from Irene back in 2011. Some of the slide paths ran for over a mile.
On top! Thomas is saying "Lincoln's thirty-what?"
It's #35, and time for a food break.
A closeup of Cannon Cliffs.
From Lincoln, it's on to Little Haystack, with Liberty and Flume beyond. This picture is sort of an illusion, because Little Haystack is actually 200' taller that the 2 peaks behind it.
Let's go get them.
En route, Chris and Thomas debate whether to try for that rock spire.
It's a looooong way down if you miss.
This shot shows the peaks a bit more evenly.
The final staircase up Little Haystack, an unofficial 4,000 footer.
Me likey up here! Want stay long time!
Whoa! My people-meter starts going crazy.
Most people we talk to are doing 1-3 peak loops, not the whole ridge. Even with a crowd, it's a nice place to hang out.
We keep moving. At this point we re-enter the trees, as the clouds roll in on the peaks we've done.
Here's the rest of our day. Liberty and Flume Mtns. Looks easy, no?
Not many pics taken through the woods without the views. Just a quarter mile before Liberty's top the Liberty Springs trail comes in.
We meet a nice couple from newenglandtrailconditions.com and talk for a few minutes. They offer to take a photo, and I realize we haven't gotten a group shot all day. We're 9 miles into the hike, and everyone's still happy (I think) and looking refreshed. Shot of the day!
Hey! It's this way!
I do think Thomas yawned on every peak this trip. I don't think he'll want this shot on here.
There we go. A proper summit shot for Thomas and Ted on #36, Mt. Liberty.
Looking north, from L-R, are Mts. Lincoln, Garfield, and the Twins.
Our last peak, Flume, is waiting for us. Those slides have been there a while. There's actually a hiking trail that goes up that face.
Some people chill, and some people...Hmmmmm. :-)
1 mile to Flume. We bull our way through the trees, and are there before we know it. Hey, nice calf mud!
Flume, #37 is a good rest stop for Team LeBlanc.
Looking back at our day: Liberty, Little Haystack, Lincoln, and Lafayette. From Lafayette to where we stand is 5 miles across the ridge.
A view east towards the Bonds and the Twins.
Part #3- "The Descent"
It's 5.5 miles down. Some last shots of the views. Thomas and Chris again bouncing over rocks. Can you please stop making it look so easy.
Flume's summit from just below, where Thomas and Chris were .
Jack's "rocking" out.
As soon as we enter the woods, the Flume Slide trail comes in. Thomas is playing "Where's Waldo?"
It's also the end of the Franconia Ridge trail, and the start of the Osseo trail.
The first couple of miles were fairly steep. Great trail work as always, and these stair sections certainly helped us out.
Then a couple of easier miles down to the river, where Osseo ends, and we come into the Lincoln Woods trail.
1.6 miles to Nirvana. Or the cars, with sandals and food. The Lincoln Woods trail is flat and wide and follows the Pemigewasset River. Thomas wants some mountain stream water to cool his face.
And finally, this suspension bridge crosses the big river at our destination, the Lincoln Woods Visitor Center. Home, sweet home!
We definitely had to relax for a while upon arrival. After food and hydration, people were shuttled back to the Skookumchuck trail head. Driving through Franconia Notch, I snapped some pics of Cannon Cliffs from the road. They look a lot bigger from below.
So let's recap the stats:
15.6 miles, 4760' of vertical gain, and 11 hours of hike time.
5 peaks (plus Mt. Truman), 4 of which counted.
That is a big day by any standards.
And BIG thank yous to Jack, Ted, and Chris. You all really help make it fun. Except the blisters at the end.
;-)
Honestly, I had concerns personally on completing this day. There were bailout options available, but none were needed. Everyone did great.
Once again we really lucked out with the weather. It rained on and off on the way over in the morning, and we hit some driving home after. But when it counted, we had perfect hiking weather. And views!
Drumroll please--- 37 down. 11 to go. Wooo-Hooo!!!
'Til next time.................
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