Today I would be joining Jill, Mark and Steve for a hike to Lincoln and Lafayette. Steve would be completing his 48 4,000 footers. The forecast called for clouds and seasonal temps. Appeared to be good weather for a hike across Franconia Ridge. Our route would take us up the Falling Waters Trail to Little Haystack Mountain then across the Franconia Ridge Trail to Mount Lincoln and on up to Mount Lafayette before descending Greenleaf Trail and continuing down the Old Bridle Path to complete the loop.
We met at the Lafayette Place parking lot and were on the trail shortly after 8:00 AM. We started out in microspikes and gaiters and they stayed on for the entire hike. At the trail junction we turned right onto the Falling Waters Trail. There was packed down snow and ice on the trail. The icy waterfalls were looking great as we made our way up the trail. As we got further up the trail the snow depth increased slightly but there was never any problem and the microspikes were the perfect choice of traction.
At the top of Little Haystack Mountain there was a slight chilly breeze blowing and we added another layer. The views were spectacular. There was a high thin cloud cover that the sun was shining through and below us was a constantly changing and shifting undercast that was really the highlight throughout the day. The lower summits were continually being covered and uncovered by the undercast. It made for some great photography.
After photos and videos we started across the Franconia Ridge to Mount Lincoln. We stopped many times to capture the views. As we ascended to the summit of Mount Lincoln we met fellow hikers Brent, Ryan and his dog Cooper. It's become routine for me to meet Ryan and Cooper on the trail in the past few months. It was great to see them but we were soon on our seperate ways.
Up on Mount Lincoln we took in more amazing views. This summit was Steve's #47 and we got plenty of photos of the occasion. The low clouds continued their scenic show. As we dropped down from the summit of Lincoln on our way to Lafayette the low clouds rolled over the ridge and we were in a momentary gray out. It soon passed and we were once again in the clear.
We started the ascent to our final summit of the day. Steve was the first to reach the top. This would complete his quest to complete the 48 4,000 footers. We took a break for photos and I ate my sandwich. There was a cool breeze blowing and we found some rocks to get behind and cut some of the wind. After more pics and videos of the amazing scenery we began our final descent.
As we started down the wind diminished and we were soon out of the cool breeze. We continued to enjoy the ever changing views as the undercast would roll in and then disappear. We took a brief break at the Greenleaf Hut that is closed up for the winter. There was just enough sun shining through the thin cloud cover to make it feel warm. There were other hikers coming and going but overall very few hikers on the trail today.
We started down the Old Bridle Path. There were a few tricky icy spots but the microspikes did their job. Down at the trail junction we completed the loop. It was a short walk back to the parking lot and at 8.8 miles we finished the hike. Brent and Ryan were in the parking lot, they had come down from Mount Liberty.
After having done this hike in the past I knew we were in for some spectacular views today but the sun shining through thin clouds created a subdued light perfect for photos and the fluid-like movement of the undercast created an incredible contrast to the usual beautiful scenery. It was an amazing hike with Jill, Mark and Steve. Congratulations to Steve for completing his 48 4,000 footers...it was a fantastic finish!
Enjoy the photos and videos!
Ski trails are covered at Cannon on the drive to the trailhead
The hike starts here
Turning onto the Falling Waters Trail
Log bridge helps with this easy water crossing
Lots of waterfalls along the Falling Waters Trail
Big ice on these ledges
A double dog dare
Steve in the ice
Mark in front of a frozen waterfall
More waterfalls
Walking up an icy ledge
Another easy water crossing
Spur path to Shining Rock
Sun peaking through the trees
Steve enjoying the views from Little Haystack Mountain
Mark flies the flag over Little Haystack
Mount Flume appears as an island in the clouds
On the summit of Little Haystack Mountain
Mount Lincoln our next destination
Franconia Ridge Trail
Mount Washington
On our way to Mount Lincoln
Mount Lincoln
A view from Franconia Ridge
We meet Brent, Ryan and Cooper on the trail
Steve on Mount Lincoln for his #47 4,000 footer
Mark flies the flag on Mount Lincoln
Lonesome Lake between the clouds
Mark and Steve on Mount Lincoln
Summit shot on Mount Lincoln
Mount Lafayette our next summit
Descending into the clouds
A look back at Lincoln
A slip here and it's a long way down before stopping
Last push to the summit
Greenleaf Hut
A look back across Franconia Ridge
Steve is on his #48 of the 4,000 footers
Mount Lafayette summit
Lonesome Lake
Steve does a little celebrating
Mark flies the flag over Mount Lafayette
Summit signs
Undercast moves over the mountains like an ocean tide
Undercast moving in
Undercast has completely covered the lower summits in less than a minute
Steve has the flag on Mount Lafayette
Standing on Mount Lafayette at the top of Franconia Ridge
Another view from the summit of Lafayette
Descending Lafayette
Lonesome Lake and Lonsesome Lake Hut
Cannon Mountain
Clouds are moving in again
Descending into a cloudy abyss
Mark coming down Lafayette
A cloudy ocean
Mount Lincoln
Greenleaf Hut
Eagle Lake
Mark standing on a precarious perch
The Agonies
The loop is complete
Having Fun in the Great Outdoors!
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