Copy/Repost Hike

A good challenge is worth the effort – and that was the Franconia Traverse experience – indeed a very strenuous day!!  When I posted this hike I was really unsure what the participation level would be.  As Winter turned to Spring it seemed pretty clear I’d be hiking solo and I was putting my head in that all important space to do so.  A pep talk here and there helped build my confidence and to those who offered their bits of advice – Thank You! 

Life, however, works in its own way and in the last week of May I was joined by Dan and Joe.  Dan is GO member and Joe is my buddy of 20 years. I’ve occasionally hiked with Joe and Dan and I have been on a few GO trips together.  Joe hails from Manhattan and had no plans for this holiday weekend. He knows I’m good for a crazy adventure and I did not let him down!!  Now to get him up here more often. 

I was cautiously optimistic all week leading up to the hike… the weather patterns and predictions shifted and I’m well aware that the best blue bird day can easily become cloudy, wet and chilly.  Up until Thursday… late pm thunderstorms were to be part of the day.  Friday came… the forecast was good enough and I said goodbye to Soleil and Joe and I headed north.  We sacked out at the Indian Head Resort… a nice place…  frozen in time… something between 1978 and 1985, lol.  We got provisions at the local grocery store, grabbed an early dinner at El Charro and headed back to the resort.  We explored the place a bit - enjoyed a glass of wine at the bar – enjoyed the fireworks - then made our way back to the room where we made our packs and lights out, Saturday would come early.

We got up at 6:30am, showered, dressed and left the room at about 7:15am.  We headed over to Dunkin Donuts for morning coffee and muffin – a light fueling despite the challenge ahead of us.  We made our way to the trail head to meet up with Dan.  It was good we had an early meeting time, 8:15am, because Dan and I were on opposite sides of Route 3 for roughly 15 minutes before we realized we’d parked at the right space but, one north bound, the other south bound.  The comedy of errors begins.  We left Dan’s car at Lafayette and we jumped into my car and headed down to the Liberty Springs Trail head, but not before making a wrong u-turn which caused me to have to loop back up route 3.  The comedy of errors ended there… thankfully.

We hit the trail at 9am with our packs heavily weighted with water, food and an appropriately smaller quantity of spirits for later that evening.  From the map I estimate we had an immediate 3,200 feet to climb to tag Mt. Liberty.  The temperature was soon starting to climb out of the 70’s and a light humidity hung in the air.  The trailhead parking was hardly full – a bit surprising – and we were hiking up mostly by ourselves though we often crossed paths with a gentleman who was outpacing his mates who was also bunking over night at Greenleaf. 

The early part of the trail was nice – the trees were newly leafed in light and dark greens and shading us from the sun – something we’d come to miss later in the hike.  About a mile into the hike we crossed the big bridge off the bike path and started the ascent up.  It started moderately but – I’d promised the hardest part of the day would be at the beginning and the trail did not disappoint – and little did I know a few more challenges lay ahead.  We hiked at a comfortable pace, one foot forward and soon dripping with sweat. 

After much effort we reached the trail junction at roughly noon… a short break and we headed up to tag Mt. Liberty.  The views leave you speechless.  The photos are nice but it cannot capture the beauty and depth of the experience.  It was warm, easily in the 80’s with a perfect summer breeze.  We lunched and hung out at Liberty until 1:15… I pointed out to Joe the ridge we’d soon be crossing… he took the news in good stride, lol.

Back on the Franconia Ridge we were promised a beautiful and serene trail and it delivered.  The first 1.5 miles was a forest entirely of evergreens, mixed in with mosses, dead trees and new trees with filtered views on either side.  The trail was sparsely traversed and we were at peace with nature - and - a welcome relaxed pace with little elevation to worry about.  Hah!!  Before the time came to pop out of the tree line… we had to do a little climbing… it was a short distance but it was rugged, seemed relentless… but the dividend… was priceless.  We emerged with a view up to Little Haystack and from that point forward we were hiking in sun splashed glory. 

I don’t remember what time we reached Little Haystack, maybe 2:30pm, and when we peaked…. in the great distance we could see Greenleaf Hut – that motivated us all – we were a little tired – but I was hungry for the hike ahead, that kept me motivated.  We took in each peak for an easy 20 if not 30 minutes.  I knew this put us behind schedule but Joe reminded me all we had is time and day light was indeed on our side.  I took a group summit photo, as I did at each peak, to mark the moment.

Although there were clouds in the sky, the sun was relentless.  I’m guessing the temps were in the low 70’s and we had a nice breeze, but there was no escaping the sun.  Dan & Joe lathered up in sun screen and I was fully covered except for shorts which I later zipped on the pants, I’m so sun phobic!!  There was no shower at day’s end… I couldn’t bear the thought of sleeping in sunscreen and sweat, lol. 

We arrived on Lincoln it must have been 4pm.  Our Greenleaf bunk buddy from earlier on the hike was resting and we happily joined him.  We took a long break.  Dan and Joe were beginning to feel the efforts of the day.  We’d all started the hike with at least four liters of water, I had five, but those packs were not getting lighter!!  At this point I estimated we’d arrive at Greenleaf at 6pm, longer than anticipated, but we were having such a brilliant time on the ridge.  Each summit had a dip between them and each ascent was a few hundred feet higher than the one before – we were getting a total workout.  At Lincoln we indulged in a salted caramel chocolate bar… I had thought for sure it would be melted, but it was intact and delicious – it gave us a good energy boost.  I know I got three but two had disappeared and I’m not sure where.  Somewhere along the path they must have slipped out as I had them nestled next to my water bottles on the outside of the pack.  As a confirmed chocoholic, I was not amused, but resigned that we would not have chocolate at day’s end.

After a decent break we left our bunkmate buddy behind and we carried on to Lafayette.  At this point Joe was lagging a bit so I stayed to jostle him up and Dan scurried off ahead.  Joe and I ascended Lafayette finding Dan resting comfortably facing east taking in some incredibly stunning views, the sun resting lower on the horizon as the day was starting to wind down.  He was there with our bunkmate buddy – he must have passed Joe and I in between the summits.  Lafayette was surprisingly busy with many folks yet to begin their descent – some moving towards Little Haystack to connect with Falling Waters, others down Old Bridle Path.  We took a time out, more photos, more ooh’s and ahhh’s and then the last push.  Greenleaf was well in sight and a short mile away.  To get there we had to descend the most beautiful rock landscape I’d ever seen.  Dan jaunted ahead of us and Joe and I were not far behind.  With less than a quarter mile to go – Joe and I took our last drinks – the well was dry and I’m pretty sure Dan drank all his supply as well.  After nearly ten hours and 9 miles we trailed into the hut between 6:30 and 6:45pm.  We were one of the last few to check in. We had a slotted cooking time of 7pm (Thanks Dan!!!).  It was an amazing day.  We got our bunks, settled in and promptly prepped dinner.  Joe and I had chicken pot pie, Dan had cold cuts and cheese with soup – made by our hut caretaker!!  For desert we had chocolate chip cookies and we snacked on chips and nuts.  This was paired with red and white wines – this gents, is good living. 

As the sun set and mars, moon and stars emerged, Joe was tuckered and went to bed; Dan and I hung outside a bit where we met several people who all had a story or two to share while star gazing.  We both were taken by Mr. Italian, while star gazing.  We did very much appreciate his need to suddenly lie on the deck and begin yoga stretches, while star gazing.  He had biceps as big as my thighs, was a solid 6’ and a chest (furry) to match – really – Dan and I were perplexed at the sudden yoga moves – all – while star gazing, lol.  When complete, we all shared in snacks, banter and spirits before our attention was turned to the summit of Lafayette – head lamps – oh boy, some night hikers were on their way down.  They arrived at 10pm… they simply underestimated their destination and time needed for their journey… but were in fine form and full of energy.  Shortly thereafter Dan and I called it a night.

Sunday came early – 5am.  I got up, made my coffee and sat outside.  The sun would soon rise and the clouds were hovering at hut level.  Joe got up and joined me and Dan meandered his way through but went back to bed.  The sun crested over the ridge but shortly after the clouds settled in, masking the sun and soon swallowing us whole.  Sometime after 7:30am we hit the trail head missing out on many a view due to the clouds.   As we descended, our thoughts wrapped up in the day before and feeling remarkably well despite the consumed wine and strenuous day that was just behind us.  The closer we got to the trail head, the busier it became, today was to be a busy day on Old Bridle Path.  We emerged from the trail at about 9:30am, got our cars and made our way to Woodward’s Grill for breakfast.  We reflected on the amazing day, the incredible challenge, the accomplishment and shared plenty a laugh – too many to share in this already too long post!!

Thank You – Dan and Joe.  You made this hiking experience incredible for me and I hope I returned the favor.  I am one happy trail mate as I hope you are.  I look forward to more adventures and more hut hikes come fall.  Cheers Gents – Hike On!!

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