| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Little Haystack Mountain, Mt. Lincoln, Mt. Truman, Mt. Lafayette, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Falling Waters Trail, Franconia Ridge Trail, Greenleaf Trail, Old Bridle Path |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Friday, August 12, 2022 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
arrive early |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
nothing significant |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
great trail |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
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 | Bugs: |
none |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
Falling waters, Pemi Ridge, to Lafayette and down to Greenleaf hut and out via bridle bath. - typical loop
My son (orthopedist specializing in foot and ankle surgery) and myself (internist) helped out a 24 yr old hiker who fell at least 50 feet down the Cloudlands falls on the Falling waters trail. ( He was attempting to photograph from top of falls, and slipped)
He severely dislocated his foot, but miraculously survived with no other injuries. However, he became mildly hypothermic. We all gave him our warm clothing, my son put his leg in SAM splint, and two of us had emergency mylar blankets for him. I have been carrying mine for over 30 years, and this is first time I had chance to use it. The young hiker was very nice young man, and we heard later he had received wonderful care at hospital and was discharged in 1 -2 days. He received attention from ER nurses, search and rescue volunteers and us, all of whom were on the scene within minutes of his fall, all by coincidence. NH fish and games Kneeland himself and his crew then arrived and carried him out. The rescue team was amazing, and deserves great praise. My son and I were able to continue the loop.
Having read Appalachia magazine for years, I was aware of how many people take the wrong turn on top of Lafayette. And sure enough, we met several on top of Lafayette who mistakenly had headed to Garfield and ultimately turned back.
While the sign on top of Lafayette is clear if you look for the sign and actually READ it, I think the top of Layayette deserves another sign on the Pemi ridge, perhaps a dozen feet north after the summit sign, saying "if you are going to Greenleaf hut and bridle path, turn back". Purists would strenuously disagree, but we saw numerous hikers wearing the wrong clothing, and the would have been in trouble if they had been "benighted."
We had no problem with trail conditions. It was cold on the ridge. Glad we came prepared.
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 | Name: |
MAC |
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 | E-Mail: |
thehobbits@aol.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2022-08-15 |
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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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