Decided to venture out on the AT today… Got a late start (0745) and, after driving northeast on I-91, VT/NH-25, back roads, NH-10 and NH-116, found that the parking lot at my first trailhead choice (Reel Brook Trail to Kinsman South Peak) was already full. Disappointed, I drove around (through Franconia) to the east side of the ridge (got on I-93). My first stop in Franconia Notch (Lafayette Place Campground parking lot) wasn't viable but, after driving south the next exit on I-93 and turning back to the north, I was pleasantly surprised to find parking at the trailhead on east side of the Parkway. I think it was only because the rain had only just cleared out in the hour before I arrived (1000). I never would have expected to be able to climb to the Franconia Ridge today but eagerly set out on the Falling Waters Trail, bound for Little Haystack Mountain and the AT. The trail was treacherous in places - there were washouts - but the waterfalls I passed made the effort worthwhile. I played “leap frog” with lots of hikers who were much younger than I and we developed a camaraderie as we climbed. After weeks of nursing my knee, this hike had everything (roots, tall rocks, mud, etc.) that would show me if I’d healed completely. And it passed with flying colors! Of course, I still had to use all my other muscles and joints to complete the 3.5ish mile ascent…. As I crossed the tree line (~4500 feet), the view back to the west was spectacular! I could see down into the Lonesome Lake area on the other side of the Notch - it really put that other hike in perspective. I reached the 4.8K’ summit somehow (sweating like crazy, sore, tired) and marveled at even more amazing vistas - the AT was visible as it crossed Mount Lincoln and it looked very foreboding… My plan was to head SOBO on AT (towards Mount Liberty) and I didn’t tarry with the crowd because dark clouds were coming towards us. I successfully tested out my SPOT tracker messages and made it down the extremely steep AT without falling. On top of everything, the stiff breeze on the ridge was a bit chilly! Fortunately, I was back in the trees when it started to rain - ended up donning my poncho and that warmed me up a little. I was glad I was already headed downhill and away from the exposed ridge. Conversely, everyone I passed (all going north, no Thru hikers, for some reason) was alarmed at the unexpected squall. In the end, the nasty looking clouds didn’t drop a lot of precipitation and the sun came out again. The only wildlife of note today was many Monarch butterflies. I’d previously thought about detouring to climb Mount Liberty but decided not to tempt fate (e.g., possible lightning, more knee pain) and started downhill after I reached the Liberty Springs trail junction. It was still the AT but I rarely saw a white blaze all day… Encountered a talkative young guy who’d climbed all of the 4000 footers and we exchanged stories of the trail for more than 20 minutes. As I continued towards I-93, I caught up with an older guy and we completed the descent together. He’d hiked a lot of the AT in sections, like I had, but most of his experience was in New England. So, of course, I picked his brain too. We parted ways when we reached the paved bike trail that follows the Pemigewasset. I guess I hadn’t really thought through this last part because the “easy” return to the car was almost three miles. With no pain and energy still in the tank, I made it to the Lafayette Place Campground ok and crossed under I-93 again to my starting point. During this phase, I passed several people I’d seen on Little Haystack and ran out of water (I drank three liters today!). The parking lot was almost empty when I finished my day (1700, almost 12 miles hiked) and rain was threatening again. Instead of taking the kayak out in Echo Lake (so tempting...), I backtracked towards home. Felt pretty good after one of my longest, most challenging hikes of 2021! Used I-93 (to Exit 34C), NH-141, Wells Road, NH-116, NH-10, back roads, NH/VT-25 and I-91 to get to Hanover and arrived at my condo by 1900. Hoping my knee is fully recovered in the morning so I can enjoy my Father’s Day! AT Today = 4.7 miles / Grand Total = 1821.6 miles
