BIGEarl
Well-known member
Old Bridle Path, Greenleaf Trail
8.0 Miles, 3,600 Feet
Hiked with Jennifer.
Earlier in the week we decided the target for our weekend hike would be a loop to Lafayette and Lincoln. Initially we had planned on a counterclockwise hike up the Falling Waters Trail to Franconia Ridge Trail to Greenleaf Trail to Old Bridle Path out. As we came closer to the weekend the weather forecast started to indicate potential problems with this approach. Both the National Weather Service (NWS) and The Weather Channel (TWC) were indicating a strong potential for snow in the late afternoon. Based on this information we decided to reverse our planned route. This would eliminate the need to hike down from the summit of Mount Lafayette in snow, and possible white-out conditions. Friday night we were monitoring the developing forecasts and could see a significant difference between these two primary sources. The NWS was forecasting 7:00am temperatures of – 15 degrees with a westerly wind driving the wind chill down to -40 degrees. TWC was forecasting -2 degrees and calm wind conditions. I had the impression the NWS forecasts were more in-line with reality and TWC forecasts tended to be too optimistic. With this opinion we decided delay our start and allow the temperature to move up a little.
I was expecting to rustle Jennifer out of bed for 5:45am. After a quick breakfast we would head out targeting a 6:30am departure and on-trail at 8:30am. In a surprise, Jennifer stumbled into the kitchen at 5:15am looking for coffee. We casually went about our morning preparation, coffee, breakfast, packing, and finally loading the truck. We actually left Nashua around 7:00am.
We believed reaching the summit of Lafayette around 1:00pm would leave plenty of time to hike over Lincoln to Little Haystack and move past the real steep part of the Falling Waters Trail before headlights were needed. And, the late start would give us friendlier hiking conditions.
We set off on the Old Bridle Path at 9:00am. A couple other hikers set off on the same route at roughly the same time. We weren’t hiking together but we could have been. We passed each other multiple times. The conditions were completely overcast, cold, and no wind. The folks at TWC got it right. A brisk pace to start got us up to temperature quickly and we settled into a comfortable speed after the OBP-Falling Waters trail split. The hiking conditions were very good. The snow was crunchy dry providing very good footing. We were able to bare boot the hike to the steep sections. We pulled out the crampons at approximately 3000 feet more from a precautionary move than one of necessity. As we made our way to the Greenleaf Hut there were quite a few viewpoints where we could enjoy Franconia Ridge as well as Cannon and Kinsman Ridge. The clouds were high, the summits open, and the views were great. At approximately 3500 feet we started to experience the first wind of the day. Gradually it increased and the exposed sections were uncomfortable places. At the hut we stopped for me to swap batteries in my camera – an uncomfortable operation due to the wind. We also added a layer and got the balaclava/face masks ready.
Off from the hut area we passed through the final sheltered part of the trail before moving above the tree line. It seemed there was more drifted snow in this area but the other pair of hikers was now in front by 100 to 200 yards and doing a great job of trail breaking. We continued at a similar pace out of the spruce shelter and to the exposed final few hundred feet to the summit. Before moving above the tree line we added the balaclava/face mask and tightened the hoods for the needed protection. By now the wind was really coming up and the conditions were generally going downhill fast. Still, we had open hiking conditions with views to the south showing the complete ridge and even Mount Liberty in the distance.
As we approached the summit we also closed in on the other hikers in front of us. Just below the summit area we met them and all of us stepped onto the summit area together. We also stepped into a Stephen King novel at the same time.
The conditions took a complete dive. The clouds consumed the summit. The snow was blowing. Visibility dropped to nothing - a whiteout. The only thing we didn’t have was an endless crunching sound (but I was having trouble with my hearing aids and could have missed it). We all looked at each other and asked the question to which we already knew the answer. Are we continuing to Lincoln? I walked to the south side of the summit area to see what the trail looked like. Of course, there was no trail visible, no cairns, nothing – just white. I walked back to the others and all agreed to call it a hike. After only a few minutes on the summit we were heading back to the hut. Jennifer started to develop severe cramping in one of her legs and was forced to hike much slower on the steep descent. I would frequently stop to allow the others to close in on me. We continued in this manner back to the Greenleaf Hut. Each time that I stopped I also noted the changes on the ridge. Gradually, the monster that consumed Lafayette expanded and took everything through Little Haystack. It seemed to be following us. In fact, when we reached the hut everything down to the tree line was in the clouds and blowing snow – the ridge was gone.
We stopped for a while at the hut for a quick snack and water. Jennifer took some pain medication for her leg problem. After roughly 30 minutes we set off for the hike out. On the way along the ridge that the OBP follows we were able to continue watching the changing conditions on the ridge. Slowly, the cloud and snow cover consumed more to the south reaching Liberty.
After making it through the steep descent, and some time for the pain medication to kick in, we were able to pick up the pace. Jennifer was in the lead and moving well. Our initial plan had us coming out with headlights but it didn’t work out that way. We stepped back into the trail head lot at approximately 4:00pm., took a few pictures that I should have taken at the start, packed our things, and headed for Lincoln. A cup of coffee was calling Jennifer’s name.
We didn’t do the loop but we had a very interesting and fun hike. I hope Jennifer’s leg recovers quickly.
Postscript:
When I was a kid, delivering newspapers was one thing I did to earn spending money. The newspaper was a morning edition which had me on the street early, around 5:00am. This allowed me to complete the paper route and get to school on time. At the end of my paper route there was a shortcut that I normally took that passed through a wooded area behind a house near my home. A dog lived there and was kept outside on a run.
This was a good news – bad news situation.
The bad news: Evidently the dog could tell time and knew exactly when I would be coming through. I forgot to mention this was not a particularly friendly dog (borderline monster dog – could have been named Cujo).
The good news: I knew the rope limit and stayed beyond it.
Every time I passed through the area he would come after me. And, every time he was unsuccessful (except one as I recall). I knew the length of the rope but not the strength of the rope (I believed the dog was stronger).
Eventually, I would make it through the area and leave for school, the dog would settle down and return to the back steps where he was sleeping, waiting for me to pass through. Everything in general would return to normal.
Our visit to Lafayette and the monster we encountered there was similar. We tried to pass through without causing a stir, but were unable to get away with it. The monster became active and started after us. It seemed to chase us down the mountain to a place that was beyond its “rope limit”, somewhere near the tree line. We continued our hike out and the excitement behind us continued. But like a barking dog restrained by a strong rope, it did not advance further. Once we made it close to the trailhead lot we noticed some interesting changes. There were a number of breaks in the clouds. In fact, a large opening appeared to be over Lafayette displaying clear blue sky. Franconia Ridge was open from end to end. The views were great!
Evidently, the monster was once again quietly waiting for more visitors.
I’m sure my memory of the paper route and my neighbor’s dog will never die. The same is probably the case for my visit to Mount Lafayette and the reception we received. When I was a kid I never turned back. Furtunately, I'm a little smarter now.
BIGEarl's Pictures
8.0 Miles, 3,600 Feet
Hiked with Jennifer.
Earlier in the week we decided the target for our weekend hike would be a loop to Lafayette and Lincoln. Initially we had planned on a counterclockwise hike up the Falling Waters Trail to Franconia Ridge Trail to Greenleaf Trail to Old Bridle Path out. As we came closer to the weekend the weather forecast started to indicate potential problems with this approach. Both the National Weather Service (NWS) and The Weather Channel (TWC) were indicating a strong potential for snow in the late afternoon. Based on this information we decided to reverse our planned route. This would eliminate the need to hike down from the summit of Mount Lafayette in snow, and possible white-out conditions. Friday night we were monitoring the developing forecasts and could see a significant difference between these two primary sources. The NWS was forecasting 7:00am temperatures of – 15 degrees with a westerly wind driving the wind chill down to -40 degrees. TWC was forecasting -2 degrees and calm wind conditions. I had the impression the NWS forecasts were more in-line with reality and TWC forecasts tended to be too optimistic. With this opinion we decided delay our start and allow the temperature to move up a little.
I was expecting to rustle Jennifer out of bed for 5:45am. After a quick breakfast we would head out targeting a 6:30am departure and on-trail at 8:30am. In a surprise, Jennifer stumbled into the kitchen at 5:15am looking for coffee. We casually went about our morning preparation, coffee, breakfast, packing, and finally loading the truck. We actually left Nashua around 7:00am.
We believed reaching the summit of Lafayette around 1:00pm would leave plenty of time to hike over Lincoln to Little Haystack and move past the real steep part of the Falling Waters Trail before headlights were needed. And, the late start would give us friendlier hiking conditions.
We set off on the Old Bridle Path at 9:00am. A couple other hikers set off on the same route at roughly the same time. We weren’t hiking together but we could have been. We passed each other multiple times. The conditions were completely overcast, cold, and no wind. The folks at TWC got it right. A brisk pace to start got us up to temperature quickly and we settled into a comfortable speed after the OBP-Falling Waters trail split. The hiking conditions were very good. The snow was crunchy dry providing very good footing. We were able to bare boot the hike to the steep sections. We pulled out the crampons at approximately 3000 feet more from a precautionary move than one of necessity. As we made our way to the Greenleaf Hut there were quite a few viewpoints where we could enjoy Franconia Ridge as well as Cannon and Kinsman Ridge. The clouds were high, the summits open, and the views were great. At approximately 3500 feet we started to experience the first wind of the day. Gradually it increased and the exposed sections were uncomfortable places. At the hut we stopped for me to swap batteries in my camera – an uncomfortable operation due to the wind. We also added a layer and got the balaclava/face masks ready.
Off from the hut area we passed through the final sheltered part of the trail before moving above the tree line. It seemed there was more drifted snow in this area but the other pair of hikers was now in front by 100 to 200 yards and doing a great job of trail breaking. We continued at a similar pace out of the spruce shelter and to the exposed final few hundred feet to the summit. Before moving above the tree line we added the balaclava/face mask and tightened the hoods for the needed protection. By now the wind was really coming up and the conditions were generally going downhill fast. Still, we had open hiking conditions with views to the south showing the complete ridge and even Mount Liberty in the distance.
As we approached the summit we also closed in on the other hikers in front of us. Just below the summit area we met them and all of us stepped onto the summit area together. We also stepped into a Stephen King novel at the same time.
The conditions took a complete dive. The clouds consumed the summit. The snow was blowing. Visibility dropped to nothing - a whiteout. The only thing we didn’t have was an endless crunching sound (but I was having trouble with my hearing aids and could have missed it). We all looked at each other and asked the question to which we already knew the answer. Are we continuing to Lincoln? I walked to the south side of the summit area to see what the trail looked like. Of course, there was no trail visible, no cairns, nothing – just white. I walked back to the others and all agreed to call it a hike. After only a few minutes on the summit we were heading back to the hut. Jennifer started to develop severe cramping in one of her legs and was forced to hike much slower on the steep descent. I would frequently stop to allow the others to close in on me. We continued in this manner back to the Greenleaf Hut. Each time that I stopped I also noted the changes on the ridge. Gradually, the monster that consumed Lafayette expanded and took everything through Little Haystack. It seemed to be following us. In fact, when we reached the hut everything down to the tree line was in the clouds and blowing snow – the ridge was gone.
We stopped for a while at the hut for a quick snack and water. Jennifer took some pain medication for her leg problem. After roughly 30 minutes we set off for the hike out. On the way along the ridge that the OBP follows we were able to continue watching the changing conditions on the ridge. Slowly, the cloud and snow cover consumed more to the south reaching Liberty.
After making it through the steep descent, and some time for the pain medication to kick in, we were able to pick up the pace. Jennifer was in the lead and moving well. Our initial plan had us coming out with headlights but it didn’t work out that way. We stepped back into the trail head lot at approximately 4:00pm., took a few pictures that I should have taken at the start, packed our things, and headed for Lincoln. A cup of coffee was calling Jennifer’s name.
We didn’t do the loop but we had a very interesting and fun hike. I hope Jennifer’s leg recovers quickly.
Postscript:
When I was a kid, delivering newspapers was one thing I did to earn spending money. The newspaper was a morning edition which had me on the street early, around 5:00am. This allowed me to complete the paper route and get to school on time. At the end of my paper route there was a shortcut that I normally took that passed through a wooded area behind a house near my home. A dog lived there and was kept outside on a run.
This was a good news – bad news situation.
The bad news: Evidently the dog could tell time and knew exactly when I would be coming through. I forgot to mention this was not a particularly friendly dog (borderline monster dog – could have been named Cujo).
The good news: I knew the rope limit and stayed beyond it.
Every time I passed through the area he would come after me. And, every time he was unsuccessful (except one as I recall). I knew the length of the rope but not the strength of the rope (I believed the dog was stronger).
Eventually, I would make it through the area and leave for school, the dog would settle down and return to the back steps where he was sleeping, waiting for me to pass through. Everything in general would return to normal.
Our visit to Lafayette and the monster we encountered there was similar. We tried to pass through without causing a stir, but were unable to get away with it. The monster became active and started after us. It seemed to chase us down the mountain to a place that was beyond its “rope limit”, somewhere near the tree line. We continued our hike out and the excitement behind us continued. But like a barking dog restrained by a strong rope, it did not advance further. Once we made it close to the trailhead lot we noticed some interesting changes. There were a number of breaks in the clouds. In fact, a large opening appeared to be over Lafayette displaying clear blue sky. Franconia Ridge was open from end to end. The views were great!
Evidently, the monster was once again quietly waiting for more visitors.
I’m sure my memory of the paper route and my neighbor’s dog will never die. The same is probably the case for my visit to Mount Lafayette and the reception we received. When I was a kid I never turned back. Furtunately, I'm a little smarter now.
BIGEarl's Pictures
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