Wolfgang
New member
Date of Hike: Thur. 4-9-09
Trails: Bike path from the Basin, Liberty Springs, and Franconia Ridge Trails.
I hiked with Ed Hawkins and Ed Watson today. We parked at the Basin and walked the bike path to Liberty Springs Trail. The bike path was mostly bare with some icy spots. Liberty Springs Trail to the Flume Slide Tr. jct. was mostly bare ground with a partial rail. From the jct. to the major crossing some bare ground and snow. The major crossing was running low and was very easy to cross. From there the trail was very firm all the way to the summit of Liberty. We wore micro spikes and boot spikes. Some traction is helpful.
The trail to Flume was hard packed and firm with about 1" to 2" of fresh snow. The branches were covered with a coating of ice and where hanging in our faces. We kept our spikes on all the way to Flume and back to the bike path.
We carried our snow shoes and crampons but the shoes stayed on our pack and the crampons weren't needed. Our spikes worked great today. The trails started to soften below the steeps later in the day. But all in all the trail conditions were excellent for April. A few blow downs. Nice sunny skies and very little wind. We had the trail to ourselves today.
Anyone lose a watch at the jct. of Liberty Springs Tr. & Flume Slide Trail? I found one.
Wolfgang
[email protected]
Trails: Bike path from the Basin, Liberty Springs, and Franconia Ridge Trails.
I hiked with Ed Hawkins and Ed Watson today. We parked at the Basin and walked the bike path to Liberty Springs Trail. The bike path was mostly bare with some icy spots. Liberty Springs Trail to the Flume Slide Tr. jct. was mostly bare ground with a partial rail. From the jct. to the major crossing some bare ground and snow. The major crossing was running low and was very easy to cross. From there the trail was very firm all the way to the summit of Liberty. We wore micro spikes and boot spikes. Some traction is helpful.
The trail to Flume was hard packed and firm with about 1" to 2" of fresh snow. The branches were covered with a coating of ice and where hanging in our faces. We kept our spikes on all the way to Flume and back to the bike path.
We carried our snow shoes and crampons but the shoes stayed on our pack and the crampons weren't needed. Our spikes worked great today. The trails started to soften below the steeps later in the day. But all in all the trail conditions were excellent for April. A few blow downs. Nice sunny skies and very little wind. We had the trail to ourselves today.
Anyone lose a watch at the jct. of Liberty Springs Tr. & Flume Slide Trail? I found one.
Wolfgang
[email protected]
