grouseking
Well-known member
I had an opportunity to hike in the Whites yesterday, and I finally tackled a new 4k...first since Mt Tecumseh in February. I've done several repeats this spring and summer, and a couple newbies in Vermont, so I was very excited to get back into my favorite area of NH.
Matt and I started the hike up Flume around 8:40am under mostly cloudy skies and very breezy conditions. The East Branch was extremely high in the morning as there was a flood warning for the Pemi the night before.
http://grouseking.phanfare.com/show/external/463192/645780/30044152/file.jpg
We made good time headin up the Lincoln Woods trail, but we actually had to negotiate some parts of it because it was very waterlogged thanks to the heavy rain from the previous day. As soon as we set foot on the trail, small chunks of ice, mixed with rain started falling. This was the first winter precipitation for me of the season, and its always an exciting thing! Soon, it changed more into a graupel/snow mix along the Lincoln Woods Trail and then further up it would turn into plain snow. The flakes were tiny and insignificant in size, but they mean the world to me. Winter is well on its way.
We started heading up the Osseo trail and I remember thinking how much easier it was then when I attempted it back it March. I was recovering from food poisoning then and was prob biting off more then I could chew (heh, bad pun) by attempting Flume so I turned around about 1.5 miles up. The difference between the lower trail in fall and winter is well...I like winter more. No leaves make it ugly.
Winter (complete with bobcat tracks)
Fall
Still it was nice to be out, and I was excited to get higher, where the weather promised to be more exciting.
As we climbed, the temp dropped. As we headed up the switchbacks, and got to the views, we noticed quite a few low hanging clouds over the Twins and Bonds, as well as Garfield. After a few minute break at the downlook, we watched the clouds clear some the higher peaks, so I was hopeful for some views on Flume. Once we reached the top of the ladders and I could see the summit in the distance, I was happy, and looking forward to some nice vistas. It took us another 45 min or so to get over to the summit. Views from the summit were fairly decent. Franconia ridge was pretty covered, but I didn't mind too much. Here are a couple shots.
Clouded Franconia Ridge
Slight Clearing
Name 'Em
Garfield and Franconia Ridge
After a nice 30 min or so break on the summit, Matt decided to head down. I think he was gettin kind or chilly. It was a bit cold. Temps were in the low-mid 20s, and winds were gusty, around 30-35 mph. So I snapped more and more photos and we headed down. We made good timing and were back at the downlook in no time. Views from here were even better now.
Closeup of Bondcliff
At this point, we were making awesome time, not really thinking about anything just chatting away. We get to the point where we're almost back to the junction with the Lincoln Woods trail and Matt realizes that he forgot his camera just below the beginning of the switchbacks! So I waited for him while ran back to go get it. He has an amazing memory....he remembered exactly where he left the camera...exactly what rock he left it on. So he did about 15 miles yesterday, while I did about 11. While I waited around for him, I was snapping photos of the water like a madman.
I waited about an hour for Matt to return. He basically ran...which is kinda dangerous, but got his camera back and everything turned out fine. We walked out around 5pm, about an hour later than we would have so the hike actually took about 7 hours and 20 min...not bad for an 11 miler, and since I haven't done a good hike in awhile. Good to get my 31st 4k as well!!
Here are the rest of the 900 pics. http://grouseking.phanfare.com/album/463192#imageID=30043956
grouseking
Matt and I started the hike up Flume around 8:40am under mostly cloudy skies and very breezy conditions. The East Branch was extremely high in the morning as there was a flood warning for the Pemi the night before.
http://grouseking.phanfare.com/show/external/463192/645780/30044152/file.jpg
We made good time headin up the Lincoln Woods trail, but we actually had to negotiate some parts of it because it was very waterlogged thanks to the heavy rain from the previous day. As soon as we set foot on the trail, small chunks of ice, mixed with rain started falling. This was the first winter precipitation for me of the season, and its always an exciting thing! Soon, it changed more into a graupel/snow mix along the Lincoln Woods Trail and then further up it would turn into plain snow. The flakes were tiny and insignificant in size, but they mean the world to me. Winter is well on its way.
We started heading up the Osseo trail and I remember thinking how much easier it was then when I attempted it back it March. I was recovering from food poisoning then and was prob biting off more then I could chew (heh, bad pun) by attempting Flume so I turned around about 1.5 miles up. The difference between the lower trail in fall and winter is well...I like winter more. No leaves make it ugly.
Winter (complete with bobcat tracks)
Fall
Still it was nice to be out, and I was excited to get higher, where the weather promised to be more exciting.
As we climbed, the temp dropped. As we headed up the switchbacks, and got to the views, we noticed quite a few low hanging clouds over the Twins and Bonds, as well as Garfield. After a few minute break at the downlook, we watched the clouds clear some the higher peaks, so I was hopeful for some views on Flume. Once we reached the top of the ladders and I could see the summit in the distance, I was happy, and looking forward to some nice vistas. It took us another 45 min or so to get over to the summit. Views from the summit were fairly decent. Franconia ridge was pretty covered, but I didn't mind too much. Here are a couple shots.
Clouded Franconia Ridge
Slight Clearing
Name 'Em
Garfield and Franconia Ridge
After a nice 30 min or so break on the summit, Matt decided to head down. I think he was gettin kind or chilly. It was a bit cold. Temps were in the low-mid 20s, and winds were gusty, around 30-35 mph. So I snapped more and more photos and we headed down. We made good timing and were back at the downlook in no time. Views from here were even better now.
Closeup of Bondcliff
At this point, we were making awesome time, not really thinking about anything just chatting away. We get to the point where we're almost back to the junction with the Lincoln Woods trail and Matt realizes that he forgot his camera just below the beginning of the switchbacks! So I waited for him while ran back to go get it. He has an amazing memory....he remembered exactly where he left the camera...exactly what rock he left it on. So he did about 15 miles yesterday, while I did about 11.
While I waited around for him, I was snapping photos of the water like a madman.
I waited about an hour for Matt to return. He basically ran...which is kinda dangerous, but got his camera back and everything turned out fine. We walked out around 5pm, about an hour later than we would have so the hike actually took about 7 hours and 20 min...not bad for an 11 miler, and since I haven't done a good hike in awhile. Good to get my 31st 4k as well!!
Here are the rest of the 900 pics. http://grouseking.phanfare.com/album/463192#imageID=30043956
grouseking
