Mount Lincoln

Trail: Falling Waters Trail, Franconia Ridge Trail, Greenleaf Trail, Old Bridle Path

Conditions: Snow - Unpacked Powder, Snow/Ice - Frozen Granular, Snow - Drifts, Snow/Ice - Postholes

“I had the ridge to myself. Snowshoes were the way to go. sections of Falling Waters could have been done in spikes but much easier just to keep the snowshoes on all the way up. Some deeper drifting above Cloudland Falls through to Little Haystack. The ridge was its usual bony self with some deeper drifts making snowshoes the appropriate choice. On Greenleaf Trail heading down to the hut it continued to be very bony until entering the trees where there was substantial drifting through to the hut. The drifting continued on upper half of OBP. Three bare booters made it up OBP just beyond the hut where they got tangled in some spruce traps where they turned around heading back down OBP. They continued to punch through on the fringes of the trail on the way down. I was able to clean up their mess a bit but more snowshoe travel is needed to get the trail into good condition.”

Trail: Old Bridle Path, Greenleaf Trail, Franconia Ridge Trail, Liberty Spring Trail, bike path

Conditions: Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Snow - Unpacked Powder, Snow/Ice - Postholes

“Banner day on Franconia Ridge. Almost no wind, warm temps, endless views. Climbed over the big ice pile in the lot (go up the right side) in order to access the tunnel under 93. Spikes from car to Little Haystack (you'll definitely want some form of traction past the hut). Snowshoes went on at Little Haystack to junction with Liberty Springs. Whoever broke this section out is a navigational wizard...lots of twists and turns. A couple of trail runners barebooted this section earlier in the week, and they left a few deep deep postholes and what I would call a few spruce crevasses...none of which impeded my progress but I do wish there was a video. You would need a light to see the bottom. You will 100% want snowshoes for this section if you go tomorrow, and 200% will want them after any snow we get. Switched back to microspikes for the rest of the hike...the Basin parking lot up to Liberty is well packed...not icy but probably want traction for the steep sections. Liberty out to Flume is noticeably less traveled, but still fine for just micros. Lots of low hanging spruce...picked up a few more scratches on my face. Bare booted most of the snowmobile track from the Basin to Lafayette Place...only 2 snowmobiles the whole time...stepped off the groomed trail as they approached...don't do that...it is chest deep!”

Trail: Falling Waters Trail, Franconia Ridge Trail, Skookumchuck Trail

Conditions: Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Snow/Ice - Frozen Granular

“All trails up to the summit of Lafayette in really good shape, packed and passable with spikes. Snowshoes are useful to the ridge then its microspikes above treeline. Much less traveled from Lafayette down to Skook junction but spikes were fine. Switched to shoes at Skookumchuck. First 1/3 of a mile was fresh trail for us, breaking trail in a foot plus of snow and meandering about on and off trail. Eventually made it to a portion of trail that had been broken out and traveled back on which made for much easier travel. Know if you try Skook our tracks are all about as we wandered together, in duo and all separate as we hunted for the trail in that last 1/3 of a mile to the ridge. Great day out there!”