Home > Hiking > Hiking Trip Reports > White Mountains Three-Day - Page 3

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Franconia Ridge - Thursday, October 4 (3.2 miles to the ridge, another 1.7 along the ridge to Mt. Lafayette, another 4.0 miles back to the trailhead, 3,480 feet of elevation gain to Mt. Lafayette): Even though the other two hikes got me jazzed up with their "grindiness" I think this one was the best of all. To hike almost two miles along this ridge with unobstructed views in every direction was just awesome … the words just don't come to me to describe it. In retrospect, I think the appeal and satisfaction I received from the two previous hikes were the grind, making the summits, and enjoying the views (or so I thought!) … on this hike, though, I really, REALLY wanted to linger. This day was the warmest of the three and really lent itself to just sitting and looking and sitting and looking. And, in fact, I did just that for as long as I thought I could afford! The return hike took me by the Greenleaf Hut where I had a chance to linger some more! Having visited this hut has convinced me that I need to do a three or four day hut-to-hut hike - possibly next fall and (hopefully) with my teenage son (a week out of school ought to be a sufficient "bribe") - incorporating a return trip to Franconia Ridge. Surprised that the best of the three hikes got the shortest write-up? I told you I couldn't quite find the words…

Playing Tourist - Friday, October 5: Another day that Mt. Washington had its head out of the clouds. So, I did what any good tourist would do - drove up the Mt. Washington Auto Road! As I mentioned earlier, my knees were beginning to get pretty sore and I decided not to risk real pain and injury by doing the Caps Ridge Trail on Friday. Hey … that trail's not going anywhere - I'll just have to go back! This was one of the smartest decisions I made on this trip. It gave me a chance to go up there and get the views I missed on my Tuesday hike in the clouds. Yes, it's touristy and busy but I had plenty of time to browse the exhibits (and the gift shop … sorry, I couldn't resist picking up a souvenir or two) and just look and look. The views along the Auto Road are pretty awesome, too - although I'd feel better about those views if I "earned" them by hiking up to them! It was still a lot of fun. After I finished the Auto Road I dropped by the Pinkham Notch facility to "powder my nose" and grab a snack before heading to the airport. Realizing that I had a little extra time, I took the short, one-mile round-trip hike up to Square Ledge - right across the highway from the Pinkham Notch Visitor Center (another smart decision). Although I stayed up there WAY too long and had to rush to get to the airport it was worth it just for the views and the last chance for real solitude! In the background was Mt. Washington flanked on either side by Huntington and Tuckerman Ravines with the Pinkham Notch facility at the base … all framed with fall colors. BTW - I think I hit the peak week for colors up there! Reds, oranges, and yellows bright enough to hurt your eyes ... we don't always get much of that here in Virginia, either! I prayed that that view would etch itself into my brain. And so it ended…

Once again, thanks for all your good advice. Now, as I begin planning and dreaming about next year's trip … oh, yes, I'm going back! … I may do something hut-to-hut (Greenleaf - Galehead - Zealand ... is that the right order?) or I may decide to just tackle some more summits. If I "do summits" I'll go back to Franconia Ridge regardless of what else I do. Can't get Franconia Ridge out of my mind ...

To close, I really envy those of you who live up there and have such easy access to those mountains. I hope you realize how fortunate you are! See you next October ...

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Submitted by Peter Harris
Warrenton, VA
Thu, 18 Oct 2001