We (Bill, Mary Ann and I) met at 8:30 at the trailhead, and decided that snowshoes were not needed. All trails are major highways, and it had not snowed in a couple of weeks. It was so warm that I started off without my fleece top, something I rarely do in winter!
The forecast had called for unseasonably high temperatures, partly sunny skies, and winds of 40 to 60 mph on the higher summits. There was no wind at all low down, though the clouds did at times seem to be moving pretty fast.
We hiked at a leisurely but steady pace up the Old Bridle Path through the open hardwoods, and eventually reached the short steep section below the first viewpoint. Since it was a bit slippery I decided to put on my crampons, and kept them on most of the rest of the trip. My companions, more skilled than I, barebooted all the way.
We rested for a few minutes at the first viewpoint, enjoying the great view of the ridge and of the Walker Ravine below. Then onwards and upwards again! We soon reached the lower of the Agonies, and I was grateful for my crampons. But the day was getting warmer, and in the many flatter spots where the snow was not compacted it balled up under the crampons. I spent a lot of time whacking them with my poles!
We soon reached Greenleaf Hut, where we had a short break and ate some snacks. Then down to the ponds and up through the scrub to the open slopes. Much of the way up is not very steep, but there was one section where I was really glad to have my crampons on. The weather was still mild, and the winds were much milder than the forecasters had threatened. I did put on my heavy duty parka, but did not take out the balaclava or goggles.
We reached the summit of Mount Lafayette a bit before 1 PM, took lots of pictures and ate some "summit cookies". The sky was not completely clear, there were some clouds and some haziness, but we had an excellent view in all directions. The clear views of Mount Jefferson made Mary Ann and I think of attempting it later in the week, we both needed it for our Winter 4,000 Footers.
After a short rest we continued on the Franconia Ridge Trail. On a day with good visibility and minimal winds it is a wonderful experience. The views are just there all the time, you enjoy them even when you are not consciously looking. I was not in as good physical condition as I would have liked, and found the little bump (known to those who do the Trailwrights list as "North Lincoln") between Mount Lafayette and Mount Lincoln more arduous that I recalled from previous trips. We stopped on the summit of North Lincoln for a few minutes, to eat some snacks and enjoy the views.
Then down and up the final real ascent to the summit of Mount Lincoln. There is a short rock scramble that I had a bit of difficulty negotiating with my crampons (I find it even worse going in the opposite direction) and on to the summit. From there we had good views of Mount Lafayette behind us, and Mount Liberty and Flume ahead of us. Little Haystack looks very "little" from that angle!
The ridge south of Mount Lincoln was bare rock, so I took off my crampons and barebooted all the way to Little Haystack, where we had our last snack with a view before descending into the woods. Once in the woods we sat down, took off our packs and had a belated lunch. Then slowly down to the trailhead, which we reached around 5 PM, from which we drove to Elvio's, in Lincoln, for dinner.
All in all a wonderful trip. Good company, excellent weather and
just the right level of difficulty: We all found it challenging but
not exhausting. A great trip for the last Sunday of winter!