| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Lafayette, Mt. Truman, Mt. Lincoln, Little Haystack Mountain, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Old Bridle Path, Greenleaf Trail, Franconia Ridge Trail, Falling Waters Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Sunday, June 23, 2019 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
8:15am - parked in the last spot in the large OBP / FW parking lot (on right side) off Franconia Notch Parkway. Lot full with cars parked on island at entrance upon returning at 3:15pm. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Mud - Minor/Avoidable |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Several fairly minor crossings on Falling Waters, all rock "hoppable" with careful foot placement (trekking poles may be helpful) |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
No issues / no blowdowns - beautiful and easily followed trails. OBP blazed in yellow. Greenleaf follow the cairns from Hut to summit. FRT AT blazed in white. FW blazed in blue. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Would suggest experienced hiking dogs only for this one due to sharp rock surfaces on Ridge, slick / dangerous ledges, and some potentially high water crossings (on Falling Waters). |
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 | Bugs: |
Slight nuisance down low due to moderate winds. Nonexistent at higher elevations due to stronger winds (25+ mph gusts). |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
Busy but epic day on the ridge ... weather could not have been more perfect for this loop hike. Words really can't do the views justice on a clear day. First time doing clockwise loop up Old Bridle Path and down Falling Waters. Footing coming down Falling Waters not as bad as expected with careful foot placement (and appropriate footwear). It was nice carrying less pack-weight up to the Hut and filling water for the final push up to Lafayette and beyond. Trails well-marked and easy to follow. Trail signs at junctions all in good shape and very visible.
OBP offers spectacular views up to the ridge starting at about 2 miles with a few potentially slick rock slabs to cross. Greenleaf from Hut to Lafayette steep but good footing (when dry) with well-placed cairns to summit. FRT from Lafayette to Haystack is rugged with manageable ups and downs offering unsurpassed 360 views on a blue-sky day - expect temps to be considerably lower than at trailhead with typical strong wind and gusts. Note full above tree-line exposure from Hut across to Haystack and plan accordingly. FW, as the name implies, has several picturesque waterfalls and cascades, and the trail runs along side Dry Brook creating several slippery crossings (especially in area of Cloudland Falls). Good footwear (traction) especially recommended here. |
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 | Name: |
Charlie |
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 | E-Mail: |
skcharles at comcast dot net |
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| Date Submitted: |
2019-06-24 |
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 | Link: |
 https:// |
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Disclaimer: Reports are not verified - conditions may vary. Use at own risk. Always be prepared when hiking. Observe all signs. Trail conditions reports are not substitutes for weather reports or common sense. |
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