BIGEarl
Well-known member
August 21, 2010: Flume and Liberty
Trails: Wilderness Trail, Osseo Trail, Franconia Ridge Trail, Bushwhack to Lincoln Brook Trail, Lincoln Brook Trail, Franconia Brook Trail
Summits: Flume, Liberty
Hikers: Trail Trotter (Sue) and me
The plan for the day included three summits; Flume, Liberty, and Owl’s Head. We have previously completed a similar hike and know an early start is needed because of the long bushwhack between Franconia Ridge Trail and Lincoln Brook Trail. We also know our early start was adequate to complete the hike as planned, that’s if everything goes as planned. Things didn’t go as planned.
Originally we had planned to spot a vehicle at Lincoln Woods and hike from the trailhead for the Whitehouse Trail near the Flume Visitor Center back to Lincoln Woods. Since we were on our own for this hike and didn’t see a need for driving a second vehicle our hike plan changed to hike a loop from Lincoln Woods. This was roughly three miles longer than the original plan. We managed to get started from Lincoln Woods as daylight was starting to arrive.
The first mile and a half is on the Wilderness Trail, which isn’t a bad warm-up. We easily cruised to the junction with Osseo Trail, made the turn, and started for Flume. Osseo Trail with all of its ladders is a very nice approach to Flume but climbing Flume Slide would have been a fun way up as well. On the way to Franconia Ridge Trail we met five others descending. The time seemed to suggest they were on their way out after camping the night before. There was also another hiker that passed us on the climb below the ladders.
Once we cleared the Osseo Ladders it was a short flat section, then a steep final climb and we were at the Osseo – Franconia Ridge - Flume Slide trails junction. The summit of Flume was a short distance north on Franconia Ridge Trail. We made the turn and started the final climb to the summit. Once we hit the open ledge at the top of Flume Slide we met a couple that I assume were from Quebec enjoying a break in their day. We exchanged greetings and continued on our way. In a hundred yards we were on the summit getting the usual pictures and looking over to our next target for the day, Mount Liberty.
We didn’t hang around on Flume because there was quite a bit more hike in our plan for the day. We set off for Liberty and as we were leaving Flume noticed four more hikers arriving from the same direction as we hiked. Between Flume and Liberty we met or were passed by a good number of others on the trail. It was definitely a busy place. We completed the hike to Liberty and stopped on the summit for some fuel – I was feeling a little low on energy and needed a boost. After downing a quart of Gatorade, a Zone Bar, a couple granola bars, and some coconut M&M’s I was ready to take on our next challenge for the day.
Next up was a bushwhack from Franconia Ridge Trail to Lincoln Brook Trail. The plan was to backtrack to a place in the col between Liberty and Flume and set off on a bearing that would lead to the top of a ridge roughly .6 miles away. From there a different bearing would lead to the Lincoln Brook Trail where it crosses Liberty Brook and Lincoln Brook roughly a mile away. On the reverse hike we met Bob & Geri and friends hiking north on Franconia Ridge Trail in search of David Metsky coming from the opposite direction on his Pemi Loop. We stopped to visit for a while but were soon on our way.
We hit the target elevation and started our bushwhack. Last fall we managed to hit the top of the bowl that is on the east/southeast of the area we needed to traverse leading to the ridge. We were able to contour around the top of the bowl and it led to the top of the ridge. This time through we were favoring the north side of every thick area or section of blowdowns without ever correcting. This was the error that cost us the planned route. Eventually, we were well north of our planned route and we managed to miss the top of the ridge. By the time we recognized the error we had also given up quite a bit in elevation.
We decided instead of climbing back to the ridge, which we could see at that point, we would simply drop into the valley that was to the north of the ridge and make our way to the same final target on Lincoln Brook Trail. It wasn’t a difficult navigation problem but the route was much thicker than expected and it took a great deal longer to make our way through it. Fortunately, Sue and I seem to work well together and are able to provide a boost when things don’t go as planned. We managed to keep each others frame of mind where it needed to be. The slope on the south side of Liberty Brook was pretty steep and we stayed on the north side of the brook for most of the bushwhack. We were also in a position to see the ridge as it dropped and knew when we were getting close to the final target. We also kept watching the south side of the brook because we also knew from our past experience travel on that side was easier. Eventually, we crossed to the south side and enjoyed a pleasant final walk to the Lincoln Brook Trail.
We hit Lincoln Brook Trail much later than planned. Even though we hit the final target exactly as planned, the blown bushwhack route really cost a lot of extra time. It was too late to climb Owl’s Head. We probably could have made the summit before darkness set in but would definitely descend the slide after dark, which didn’t seem like a good idea. So, we bailed on Owl’s Head, made the turn, and took off for Lincoln Woods.
The hike out was completely as planned. The plan was always to stay on trails all of the way out, which is exactly the way we returned to Lincoln Woods. We made the two big crossings at Lincoln Brook and Franconia Brook without any problems at all. We both had water shoes with us but didn’t need to make the change and still finished with dry feet.
Since most previous hikes to Owl’s Head have included bushwhacks on both ends, I’ve only hiked Franconia Brook Trail a couple times. It’s an old railroad bed and at the end of a long day the only thing about it that is different from the Wilderness Trail is a few feet in elevation. Oh yes, there was a big porcupine cruising the trail that got Sue’s attention. We completed the long slog to Lincoln Woods arriving pretty much as originally planned. But, with one peak less than expected.
Oh well, we’ll have to go back to finish what we started. I’m pretty sure Sue enjoys the hike to Owl’s Head as much as I do.
Pictures will follow.
Trails: Wilderness Trail, Osseo Trail, Franconia Ridge Trail, Bushwhack to Lincoln Brook Trail, Lincoln Brook Trail, Franconia Brook Trail
Summits: Flume, Liberty
Hikers: Trail Trotter (Sue) and me
The plan for the day included three summits; Flume, Liberty, and Owl’s Head. We have previously completed a similar hike and know an early start is needed because of the long bushwhack between Franconia Ridge Trail and Lincoln Brook Trail. We also know our early start was adequate to complete the hike as planned, that’s if everything goes as planned. Things didn’t go as planned.
Originally we had planned to spot a vehicle at Lincoln Woods and hike from the trailhead for the Whitehouse Trail near the Flume Visitor Center back to Lincoln Woods. Since we were on our own for this hike and didn’t see a need for driving a second vehicle our hike plan changed to hike a loop from Lincoln Woods. This was roughly three miles longer than the original plan. We managed to get started from Lincoln Woods as daylight was starting to arrive.
The first mile and a half is on the Wilderness Trail, which isn’t a bad warm-up. We easily cruised to the junction with Osseo Trail, made the turn, and started for Flume. Osseo Trail with all of its ladders is a very nice approach to Flume but climbing Flume Slide would have been a fun way up as well. On the way to Franconia Ridge Trail we met five others descending. The time seemed to suggest they were on their way out after camping the night before. There was also another hiker that passed us on the climb below the ladders.
Once we cleared the Osseo Ladders it was a short flat section, then a steep final climb and we were at the Osseo – Franconia Ridge - Flume Slide trails junction. The summit of Flume was a short distance north on Franconia Ridge Trail. We made the turn and started the final climb to the summit. Once we hit the open ledge at the top of Flume Slide we met a couple that I assume were from Quebec enjoying a break in their day. We exchanged greetings and continued on our way. In a hundred yards we were on the summit getting the usual pictures and looking over to our next target for the day, Mount Liberty.
We didn’t hang around on Flume because there was quite a bit more hike in our plan for the day. We set off for Liberty and as we were leaving Flume noticed four more hikers arriving from the same direction as we hiked. Between Flume and Liberty we met or were passed by a good number of others on the trail. It was definitely a busy place. We completed the hike to Liberty and stopped on the summit for some fuel – I was feeling a little low on energy and needed a boost. After downing a quart of Gatorade, a Zone Bar, a couple granola bars, and some coconut M&M’s I was ready to take on our next challenge for the day.
Next up was a bushwhack from Franconia Ridge Trail to Lincoln Brook Trail. The plan was to backtrack to a place in the col between Liberty and Flume and set off on a bearing that would lead to the top of a ridge roughly .6 miles away. From there a different bearing would lead to the Lincoln Brook Trail where it crosses Liberty Brook and Lincoln Brook roughly a mile away. On the reverse hike we met Bob & Geri and friends hiking north on Franconia Ridge Trail in search of David Metsky coming from the opposite direction on his Pemi Loop. We stopped to visit for a while but were soon on our way.
We hit the target elevation and started our bushwhack. Last fall we managed to hit the top of the bowl that is on the east/southeast of the area we needed to traverse leading to the ridge. We were able to contour around the top of the bowl and it led to the top of the ridge. This time through we were favoring the north side of every thick area or section of blowdowns without ever correcting. This was the error that cost us the planned route. Eventually, we were well north of our planned route and we managed to miss the top of the ridge. By the time we recognized the error we had also given up quite a bit in elevation.
We decided instead of climbing back to the ridge, which we could see at that point, we would simply drop into the valley that was to the north of the ridge and make our way to the same final target on Lincoln Brook Trail. It wasn’t a difficult navigation problem but the route was much thicker than expected and it took a great deal longer to make our way through it. Fortunately, Sue and I seem to work well together and are able to provide a boost when things don’t go as planned. We managed to keep each others frame of mind where it needed to be. The slope on the south side of Liberty Brook was pretty steep and we stayed on the north side of the brook for most of the bushwhack. We were also in a position to see the ridge as it dropped and knew when we were getting close to the final target. We also kept watching the south side of the brook because we also knew from our past experience travel on that side was easier. Eventually, we crossed to the south side and enjoyed a pleasant final walk to the Lincoln Brook Trail.
We hit Lincoln Brook Trail much later than planned. Even though we hit the final target exactly as planned, the blown bushwhack route really cost a lot of extra time. It was too late to climb Owl’s Head. We probably could have made the summit before darkness set in but would definitely descend the slide after dark, which didn’t seem like a good idea. So, we bailed on Owl’s Head, made the turn, and took off for Lincoln Woods.
The hike out was completely as planned. The plan was always to stay on trails all of the way out, which is exactly the way we returned to Lincoln Woods. We made the two big crossings at Lincoln Brook and Franconia Brook without any problems at all. We both had water shoes with us but didn’t need to make the change and still finished with dry feet.
Since most previous hikes to Owl’s Head have included bushwhacks on both ends, I’ve only hiked Franconia Brook Trail a couple times. It’s an old railroad bed and at the end of a long day the only thing about it that is different from the Wilderness Trail is a few feet in elevation. Oh yes, there was a big porcupine cruising the trail that got Sue’s attention. We completed the long slog to Lincoln Woods arriving pretty much as originally planned. But, with one peak less than expected.
Oh well, we’ll have to go back to finish what we started. I’m pretty sure Sue enjoys the hike to Owl’s Head as much as I do.
Pictures will follow.
