Summits: Mount Lincoln (5,089'), Mount Lafayette (5,260')
Trail route: Falling Waters Trail, Franconia Ridge Trail, Greenleaf Trail, Old Bridle Path
Trail conditions: Considerable ice on the trails past Shining Rock spur path, across the ridge and down to Greenleaf Hut
Weather: Cool temps, light wind, sunshine with clouds moving across the ridge
Total miles: 8.8
Total time: 6:35
After watching the forecast over the past couple of days it looked like the weather was going to be favorable above treeline today although a storm was moving in late day. My plan was to get an early start and be done by noon or early afternoon.
I arrived at the parking lot to find only a few vehicles ahead of me. The trail was dry to start but at about 3,400' elevation I found it necessary to put on my rock spikes as there was unavoidable ice. There was a few tricky sections to get over on the way up. A cool wind was blowing and I added a layer before continuing up to the summit.
When I reached the summit of Little Haystack Mountain I swapped to my better microspikes after seeing the trail of ice on the ridge. This turned out to be the right choice as the ice continued over Mount Lincoln and Mount Lafayette. Clouds moved across the ridge but I managed to stay ahead of the thick clouds that were on their way up from the south.
I was able to enjoy each summit by myself for a few moments as there were very few hikers up here today as compared to the other times that I have done this popular hike when the ridge and summits have been very crowded. I descended to Greenleaf Hut and took a break for something to eat and to remove the microspikes.
The ice quickly disappeared past the hut and it was a good hike down. There were many hikers coming up and I was trying my best to keep the social distancing and the other hikers were doing the same.
I was back at the parking lot at 1:00 PM just as I had planned. It was a very enjoyable hike along the Franconia Ridge today, views were spectacular!
Enjoy the photos and video!
The hike starts here
Starting the loop
Easy water crossing
On the Falling Waters Trail
Large icicles
More ice
The microspikes are on
A tricky spot to get up and over
Following a path of ice across Franconia Ridge
A view from the ridge
The icy path continues
Mount Lincoln up ahead
Frosty spruce
Sun through thin cloud cover
Presidential summits in the distance
Undercast
A thick coating of ice
Ascending Mount Lincoln
Looking back from where I've been
View from Lincoln
Glad the microspikes are on across this ice
Clouds are moving up from the south
Ascending Mount Lafayette
Icy glaze on this ledge
View from Mount Lafayette
On the summit of Mount Lafayette
Descending Lafayette as clouds move in
Clouds move out
View of the Kinsmans
Southern view
Greenleaf Hut up ahead
Eagle Lake
Franconia Ridge from Greenleaf Hut
Franconia Notch
Clouds lifting off the ridge
Shining Rock with a glaze of ice
Standing under a tree
A last look up at Mount Lincoln before heading home
Having Fun in the Great Outdoors!
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