SherpaTom
Member
Date of Hike: 1/11/2013
Trails Used: Bike Path, Bushwhack, Whitehouse, Liberty Springs & Franconia Ridge
Trail Conditions: We took the advice of others and parked at The Basin parking lot, followed the Bike Path/Snowmobile path but missed the bushwhack on the way up, so we took Whitehouse to Liberty Springs & then to the ridge. The main trails had 3-4 of powder and some drifting in upper elevations. No major blowdowns, one required a crawl under. Overall, the three of us packed it down good for this weekend's hikers. We were able to find the cut-off on the way down and bushwhacked (not really because you are able to see the trail) back to the bike path.
Special Equipment Required: We used micro-spikes from the car and then two of us switched to snowshoes about half-way up Liberty Springs. Since the trail is a constant climb, using lifters was a nice addition. Two of us kept the shoes on for the rest of trip while one used micros the entire trip. Saw one hiker who bare-booted behind us. However, some traction is definitely suggested, especially after the freezing rain which is forcasted.
Weather: The weather was perfect to be on the ridge. Cloudy but sun peaked out a few times, mild temperatures, some wind on the summits but not over whelming. We never really got hit with such severe wind that it would knock you over or make you wish you were back home working. As soon as we hit the parking lot at around 2:45pm, freezing rain came in which put a big smile on our face.
Comments: It was nice to bag two peaks in one day and it was nice that my son & I were able to keep up with Bob (6:16).
"The worst day in the Whites beats the best day at work"
SherpaTom - #25 (W)
Bob - #25 (W)
Kyle - #16 (W)
Trails Used: Bike Path, Bushwhack, Whitehouse, Liberty Springs & Franconia Ridge
Trail Conditions: We took the advice of others and parked at The Basin parking lot, followed the Bike Path/Snowmobile path but missed the bushwhack on the way up, so we took Whitehouse to Liberty Springs & then to the ridge. The main trails had 3-4 of powder and some drifting in upper elevations. No major blowdowns, one required a crawl under. Overall, the three of us packed it down good for this weekend's hikers. We were able to find the cut-off on the way down and bushwhacked (not really because you are able to see the trail) back to the bike path.
Special Equipment Required: We used micro-spikes from the car and then two of us switched to snowshoes about half-way up Liberty Springs. Since the trail is a constant climb, using lifters was a nice addition. Two of us kept the shoes on for the rest of trip while one used micros the entire trip. Saw one hiker who bare-booted behind us. However, some traction is definitely suggested, especially after the freezing rain which is forcasted.
Weather: The weather was perfect to be on the ridge. Cloudy but sun peaked out a few times, mild temperatures, some wind on the summits but not over whelming. We never really got hit with such severe wind that it would knock you over or make you wish you were back home working. As soon as we hit the parking lot at around 2:45pm, freezing rain came in which put a big smile on our face.
Comments: It was nice to bag two peaks in one day and it was nice that my son & I were able to keep up with Bob (6:16).
"The worst day in the Whites beats the best day at work"
SherpaTom - #25 (W)
Bob - #25 (W)
Kyle - #16 (W)
