AT from Franconia Notch to Crawford Notch

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Danielle

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Joined
Dec 18, 2003
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Location
The Big K!; Home: Topsham, ME
Date: 7/27 to 7/28/08

Trails: Followed AT from Franconia Notch to Crawford Notch.

Conditions: Liberty Springs Trail near bottom a bit wet. Franconia Ridge in good shape. Trail down Garfield a stream in many spots, making descending the rock ledges a bit difficult and time consuming. Ethan Pond Trail a joy in its wonderful flatness. No blowdowns to speak of.

Comments: In our ongoing quest to finish up our section hike of the AT, we decided to do the Franconia Ridge in a two-day push. We got the AMC hiker shuttle from Highland Center to the Liberty Spring Trailhead, and started up the trail around 11:10am. A late start to say the least! When we got to the top of Liberty Spring Trail, we attached our poles to our Camelbaks, and alternated hiking with running where we were able. it was actually a fun way to do the ridge, as some sections above treeline were wonderful to run along! Lots of people out around Lincoln and Liberty.

The crowds thinned to almost nothing once we started our descent of Liberty. We had underestimated this part of the trail and it took us a while. Stopped at a stream to refill our water and have a snack a few tenths before Garfield Pond and the ascent up Garfield. Descent off Garfield was the toughest, as it was wet and steep. Then the final trudge up to Galehead Hut, where we had reservations for the night. There were only 12 of us, so it was a nice intimate hut experience, with good food, conversation and a beautiful sunset. Slept well after a solid 13 mile/5.5 hour day.

Day two took us up South Twin, a stiff ascent to say the least, and then some running between there and Zealand where we could. Another nice day and some great views into the Pemi from S. Twin and near Guyot. Lots of sheep laurel along the Zealand ridgeline. Nice. Stopped for lunch and water refill at Zealand Falls Hut, and then enjoyed the wonderful flat section along Ethan Pond Trail. Final 1.5 mile downhill was rough on the knees, but it was a great hike/run! A fun, and different, way to enjoy the ridge!

Photos here
 
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