Franconia Ridge on an Amazing Day 10/13/13

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JustJoe

Active member
Joined
Mar 10, 2010
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Location
Ipswich, Ma.
I was in Lincoln Saturday and Sunday to hike. The plan was to avoid the peepers. Not there was anything to see up there. :roll: Saturday a did a socked in bushwhack in Pinkham Notch and ended up hiking Loon when I got back to Lincoln which was awesome since that area was nice.
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The plan for Sunday was to hit something heading south towards home. It was either going to be Cardigan, or Welch/Dickey. I was up early Sunday and stepped out the door and saw nothing but fog and clouds. Weather still said partly sunny. :roll: I decided to look at MWOBS higher summits. It said in the clear under sunny skies. But, it also said cloud cover 4000' down to 2000'. The perfect formula for under-cast. I reluctantly decided to do the L/L loop. I say reluctantly given the weekend it was. I managed to get to the southbound lot by 7:45 and it was already getting full. I geared up and was moving just before 8. When I got through the tunnel and was nearing the bathrooms I could see a line 20 deep. And also saw 3 groups heading out with no less than 6 in each. I almost called it there. But figured I'd fellow to the junction of Bridle Path and Falling Waters to see which way they go. I prefer counterclockwise myself. Well, everyone went up Falling Waters. So at an accelerated rate I heading up The Bridle Path.

To make a long story short, I passed only 3 small groups to the hut. Passed 2 or 3 heading down from the hut. From the hut to Lafayette, I followed 1 couple up, and passed 2 pairs heading down who probably stayed at the hut. On Lafayette there were 10 tops. Now for the ridge. About half way to Lincoln it started. None stop flow heading the other way. I was the only one on the entire ridge, the time I was on it, heading south.
I took a nice break just off trail, and mostly out of sight, on the next to last bump before Little Haystack. Totally undisturbed. I got to Little Haystack at 11:30 and it was packed. Given the time I knew my descent could be bad. And for the first 1/4 mile it was. Had to step aside sevral times letting no less than 4 dozen people go by. That petered out to just a few and I cruised on out. On the road and heading home by 2:00 PM.

Not going get into this same old debate but this sign which was 10 up on a tree and about 12"X16" should 4'X4' and snack dab in the middle of the trail so you have to go around it. What I saw on trail had me dumbfounded.
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First ledges on Agony Ridge.
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Last ledges on Agony Ridge.
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Nearing Lafayette's summit.
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Lafayette.
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Back towards Lafayette.
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Little Haystack.
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Click Pik, 4 Pix :cool:
 
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