Franconia Ridge Hike & Potluck

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!

Let's kick off the Summer Hiking Season on one of the most scenic trails on the White Mountains.  This hike is 8.1 miles long with a total elevation gain of about 3800ft.  We will hike at a moderate pace (with plenty of breaks to enjoy the abundant scenery) up the Falling Waters Trail to the ridge line, then follow the ridge over Little Haystack, Mt. Lincoln, Mt. Lafayette, and then descend to the Hut & then to the parking lot via the Old Bridle Path Trail.

The hike will take about 8-9 hours including lunch on the summit. 

Hikers are invited to a Pre-hike "Carbo-Load" Potluck dinner on Saturday evening and Post-hike Happy Hour Social/ Potluck dinner on Sunday evening at my house at Sugar Hill, NH (about 15 minutes from the trailhead).  Free lodging, camping, swimming and hot showers available at the house on Saturday and/or Sunday.  The house has 8 beds available for guests and also room for camping next to the house or down by the pond.  Enjoy your favorite beverage on the deck and listen to the "Bear Pond Frog Chorus" in the evening or warm up next to the wood stove.