I left Flume Visitor Center in Lincoln, NH to hike the Franconia ridge on Monday, July 28th. Along this part of the Whites there are “Huts” every 10 or so miles. These huts are different than shelters as they are very costly and provide dinners and breakfasts for mostly day hikers or section hikers. They allow thru hikers to come in and eat their lunch and hang out. You can even work for stay over night if you time it right.
That day I went over Little Haystack, Mt Lafayette, Mt Garfield and South Twin. A huge day of climbing with Mt Lafayette peaking at 5,200 ft. I camped on the backside of South twin that definitely was not a campsite. A long day of hiking and climbing but some of the best views of the entire trip.
The next day was a bit of a relief as it was mostly flat and downhill for about 15 miles took Crawford Notch, route 302. I crossed 302 and camped along the Webster Cliffs. A beautiful night camping in the woods right off a cliff where I could see everywhere I had hiked previously. I remember sitting there at the edge of the cliff thinking how lucky I am to be doing this stuff and how surreal a lot of this is….only to be ruined that night be storms and waking up to my tent in an inch of water. So typical.
Woke up the next day and it was time for the Presidential Range of the Whites. Some of the most epic hiking in the entire world. 20 miles from Webster cliffs to Osgood campsite. Bagging Eisenhower, Franklin, Monroe, Washington, and Madison along the way. Most of the day being over 5,000 ft in elevation and peaking at Mt Washington at 6,288 ft on July 31st. The toughest part however was going down Mt Monroe. Steep downhill over jagged rocks. It took me 2 hours to go 3 miles. I remember thinking how unsafe this was. Looking around there was nothing and nobody. I also remember laughing about how ridiculous this was. If I didn’t know that was the trail I wouldn’t think it was the trail. Imagine a rock pier or jeti at the beach but 500 feet wide and downhill at 60 degree angle. It was scary and awesome all at the same time.
