GetFit Hike #5: Mt. Liberty

With showers and thunderstorms forecasted in the afternoon, I was a bit worried we would get soaked. The trailhead is located past the Flume Visitor Center, so it's a bit tricky to find it. We started on the Whitehouse Trail. Then we turned left following the paved Franconia Notch Recreation Trail to the start of the Liberty Springs Trail. Once turning onto the Liberty Springs Trail the footing gets a little more typical White Mountains. The work crews have done a tremondous job maintaining this trail. Sections of the trail have rock staircases.

The only water crossing that involves any rock hopping is also where the trail starts heading up. The trail is never ridiculously steep, but it is persistent. Rarely does the incline cease. We hit the Liberty Springs Campsite and chatted with the caretaker. We were looking forward to meet Pink Flamingo with his pink fingernails, but dang, today was his day off.

We had lunch at Liberty Springs and then went up the final .6 to the summit of Liberty. The summit of Liberty is great, very exposed, lots of room to sit and relax. We were pretty well socked in the clouds, but a few times the sun was trying to break through. After spending some time on the summit we headed down.

We got back down to the car and everyone headed back to my house for post-hike beverages and BBQ.

In summary, a good hike. Three guys ticked off another 4,000 footer off their list. Everybody got through it without injuries. Obviously clear weather would have been nice, but it could have been worse with showers and thunderstorms.

This is it, the 4,000 footer you've been training for!

At 4459 feet, Liberty is the 18th highest mountain in New Hampshire. It sits at the southern end of the Franconia Ridge Trail and affords terrific 360 degree views of the Notch to the West and into the Pemi to the East.

We will park just north of the Flume Visitor Center and hike the connecting Whitehouse Trail over to the start of the Liberty Spring Trail. After about .8 of a mile, the Liberty Spring Trail will begin right, off the Franconia Notch bike path. The trail climbs steadily and moderately up using trails and old logging roads.

At .6 miles from the start of the Liberty Spring Trail, the Flume Slide Trail begins right [don't worry; we don't do this very steep trail for the GetFit series!]. The LST bears left and climbs steadily via switchbacks up to the site of the Liberty Spring Campsite at about 2.6 miles [there is a steep and rough section]. At 3.2 miles we reach the summit and the terrific view.

Round trip distance: 8 miles
Vertical feet: 3250
Approximate time: 6.5 hours

Carpooling: Contact other members to carpool, share the conversation and travel expenses. Contact us if you want to carpool with us from Exit 28.

After The Hike: We'll have a BBQ back on my deck at my house in Waterville Valley. It's BYOB and about $5 per person for food costs. Bring a change of clothes. I have lots of towels and everyone can take showers to clean up.  

Lodging Option: I have 8 bunks available with linen for Saturday night at my house in Waterville Valley for $20. You can use the kitchen facilities and store beverages/food in the fridge. I serve coffee in the morning and a continental breakfast. Contact me to RSVP. SPACE IS LIMITED TO EIGHT GUYS.