BIGEarl
Well-known member
February 18, 2007: Mount Liberty
Trail: Bicycle Path – Snowmobile trail, Liberty Spring Trail, Franconia Ridge Trail
Distance – Elevation: 8.0 miles, 3,250 feet
The initial plan was to hike Flume and Liberty. The hike started a little late to accomplish this due to the conditions. A couple days earlier the area received a heavy hit of snow. Fortunately, some of the more popular trails were hiked yesterday (Saturday), including the Liberty Spring Trail. The trail was broken out all of the way to the summit of Mount Liberty, but it was still a tough climb.
The day was cloudy with a forecast of snow showers all day. The National Weather Service was forecasting three to four inches of new snow during the day, with more at higher elevations. Nine of us were included in this group hike with MtnMagic the hike leader. We left the Basin lot on snowshoes and stayed with them throughout the hike.
Our first decision came at the Flume Slide Trail split. There was some thought of hiking up this trail to Franconia Ridge, over Flume and Liberty, and back down Liberty Spring, saving a good amount of distance and elevation. The Flume Slide Trail had been broken out as well. Some had previously decided they would not consider this plan. To preserve harmony the discussion was brief and we stayed with the Liberty Spring Trail. We made a couple water stops along the trail on our way to the Liberty Spring Tentsite, which became our lunch stop. The trail was tracked out well, smooth and wide with no postholes at all. After the brief lunch stop we headed for the Franconia Ridge Trail and then Mount Liberty. When reaching the Franconia Ridge Trail there was no sign of any traffic to or from the north, only to Liberty. The Franconia Ridge Trail north of Liberty Spring was not broken out at all. A couple hundred yards short of the summit the trail becomes open and we were treated to a strong wind from the west. Three members of the group decided they didn’t really need to hit the summit and headed back out. The other six of us continued to the summit. While there we noticed the Franconia Ridge Trail heading toward Flume had not been broken out very well at all and we collectively decided to call it a hike. After some quick summit shots, including pictures of Peg on her first Winter Four Thousand Footer
, we headed back for the cover of the spruce and reduced wind.
The hike back out was an easy cruise down the Liberty Spring Trail. The snow that had been forecast started to fall heavier than at any time previously during the day. We continued past the tentsite, past the Flume Slide Trail junction, to a place where the trail takes a hard left (if you’re heading out). From here we bushwhacked back to the snowmobile trail. Some places were interesting with snow waist deep. We managed through it with no real problems, reached the snowmobile trail, and headed for the Basin lot.
It was still light but getting to be late. The snow was falling hard and the wind was increasing. There was a fresh four inches of snow that had fallen during the day. We all tried to pack quickly and head out. Next stop, Woodstock Station to celebrate Peg’s first Winter Four Thousand Footer. MtnMagic is the only person I know with his own monogrammed beer mugs at Woodstock Station. I believe he is most likely referred to as a repeat customer.
It’s really amazing how much a bowl of hot onion soup can do to improve everything after a cold day in the woods. Magic did a great job in organizing this hike and then leading a fun group of hikers. I look forward to more similar events.
Here are pictures from the day but you'll need an imagination for a couple.
BIGEarl's Pictures
Trail: Bicycle Path – Snowmobile trail, Liberty Spring Trail, Franconia Ridge Trail
Distance – Elevation: 8.0 miles, 3,250 feet
The initial plan was to hike Flume and Liberty. The hike started a little late to accomplish this due to the conditions. A couple days earlier the area received a heavy hit of snow. Fortunately, some of the more popular trails were hiked yesterday (Saturday), including the Liberty Spring Trail. The trail was broken out all of the way to the summit of Mount Liberty, but it was still a tough climb.
The day was cloudy with a forecast of snow showers all day. The National Weather Service was forecasting three to four inches of new snow during the day, with more at higher elevations. Nine of us were included in this group hike with MtnMagic the hike leader. We left the Basin lot on snowshoes and stayed with them throughout the hike.
Our first decision came at the Flume Slide Trail split. There was some thought of hiking up this trail to Franconia Ridge, over Flume and Liberty, and back down Liberty Spring, saving a good amount of distance and elevation. The Flume Slide Trail had been broken out as well. Some had previously decided they would not consider this plan. To preserve harmony the discussion was brief and we stayed with the Liberty Spring Trail. We made a couple water stops along the trail on our way to the Liberty Spring Tentsite, which became our lunch stop. The trail was tracked out well, smooth and wide with no postholes at all. After the brief lunch stop we headed for the Franconia Ridge Trail and then Mount Liberty. When reaching the Franconia Ridge Trail there was no sign of any traffic to or from the north, only to Liberty. The Franconia Ridge Trail north of Liberty Spring was not broken out at all. A couple hundred yards short of the summit the trail becomes open and we were treated to a strong wind from the west. Three members of the group decided they didn’t really need to hit the summit and headed back out. The other six of us continued to the summit. While there we noticed the Franconia Ridge Trail heading toward Flume had not been broken out very well at all and we collectively decided to call it a hike. After some quick summit shots, including pictures of Peg on her first Winter Four Thousand Footer
, we headed back for the cover of the spruce and reduced wind. The hike back out was an easy cruise down the Liberty Spring Trail. The snow that had been forecast started to fall heavier than at any time previously during the day. We continued past the tentsite, past the Flume Slide Trail junction, to a place where the trail takes a hard left (if you’re heading out). From here we bushwhacked back to the snowmobile trail. Some places were interesting with snow waist deep. We managed through it with no real problems, reached the snowmobile trail, and headed for the Basin lot.
It was still light but getting to be late. The snow was falling hard and the wind was increasing. There was a fresh four inches of snow that had fallen during the day. We all tried to pack quickly and head out. Next stop, Woodstock Station to celebrate Peg’s first Winter Four Thousand Footer. MtnMagic is the only person I know with his own monogrammed beer mugs at Woodstock Station. I believe he is most likely referred to as a repeat customer.
It’s really amazing how much a bowl of hot onion soup can do to improve everything after a cold day in the woods. Magic did a great job in organizing this hike and then leading a fun group of hikers. I look forward to more similar events.
Here are pictures from the day but you'll need an imagination for a couple.
BIGEarl's Pictures
