Bob- Thank you so much for leading this stunning hike up Franconia Ridge!  We couldn’t have asked for better weather or company.   And thank you (and John) for being such warm and welcoming hosts for the potluck.  It was the perfect way to spend the holiday weekend.  

Trip Report:

It was a perfect weekend to kick of the Summer Hiking Season: Sunny clear weather with daytime temps in the 80s & cool pleasant evenings.

On Saturday evening, we enjoyed a delicious pre-hike Carbo Load potluck dinner get together.  Carl, JT, & Jason decided to camp out by the pond and were lulled to sleep by endless critter sounds (frogs, owls, coyote, & bear) during the night.

On Sunday morning after breakfast, we met at the trailhead at 8AM & ascended the Falling Waters Trail.  The trail was dry and mostly ice free with beautiful waterfalls powered by the spring snowmelt.  We quickly reached Franconia Ridge and after a leisurely break continued along the ridge to Mt. Lincoln & Mt. Lafayette.  The weather was perfect on the summits- sunny -about 60F with a moderate breeze.  After lunch on the summit, we continued down to the hut, enjoyed a sunny break & AMC soup & then hiked down the Old Bridle Path trail to the trailhead.  The trails were very busy- so lots of eye candy especially along the ridge and on the descent.  The only minor injury was that Ricardo fell while descending Agony Hill & dislocated his finger. (I guess that’s why they call it Agony Hill).  JT & others helped to patch him up with a First Aid kit & he was able to get medical attention after we reached the bottom.

We all returned to Bear Pond for hot showers, swimming in the pond, drinks and a pot luck dinner on the deck and around the wood stove.

Thanks so much to all the GO hikers for your excellent potluck contributions & for making this a really fun & memorable weekend!

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