Lincoln & Lafayette 4-10-11

[B the Hiker]

This was a Sunday hike under beautiful weather, and we were surprised to see how few cars there were in the parking lot when we arrived around 9:15.

Both Falling Waters and the Old Bridle paths were in excellent condition, and with the exception of a few bare spots (mostly due to running water), there still remains a lot of snow on the trails, especially as one gets higher, where several blazes were still almost covered with ground snow.

The trails were firmly packed, and almost everyone we did see were wearing microspikes.

The ridgeline was either bare, or had melting snow/ice/top layer of slush. We saw quite a bit of running water. Remarkably, it was 53 degrees on Lincoln! I wold not be surprised if most the ridge is bare by next weekend.

It's a tough time, because snow shoes are useful for most of the trail, but impossible once on the ridge. One thing was very clear when we were on though. YOU MUST HAVE SOME KIND OF TRACTION. If someone had tried to bareboot, they would have been in for a world of hurt, especially going down off Lafayette between the ridge and the hut.

It was a simply wonderful day to be out. Mild winds, gentle sun (it did cloud over in the mid-afternoon), and warm temps.

All the best,


Brian

 

[mtnpa]

...One thing was very clear when we were on though. YOU MUST HAVE SOME KIND OF TRACTION. If someone had tried to bareboot, they would have been in for a world of hurt, especially going down off Lafayette between the ridge and the hut...

We were able to bareboot most of the route Saturday. Used microspikes for the section along the cascades on Falling Waters, but took them off near the tentsites due to sticky snow. Put them back on descending from Lafayette. On the way down we noticed a long butt-slide track which ended in the rocks. Didn't look like it ended well.