| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
None, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Franconia Brook Trail, Lincoln Woods Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Sunday, July 14, 2024 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Lincoln Woods had significantly overflowed onto the Kanc by the time I got back just after 1 PM on Sunday. Volunteer rangers (including a friend of mine!) were talking with hikers. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Descending Franconia Brook Trail from 13 Falls Campsite, Twin Brook could be carefully rock-hopped on exposed but wet and slippery rocks. The nameless brook after it was easy. Redrock Brook was the toughest of the bunch - rock-hopping on exposed rocks was not possible, so I had to use my waders. (This was the only crossing that I needed them.) After Redrock Brook, I was a little concerned about what Hellgate Brook's crossing would be like, but it was actually significantly easier than Redrock Brook - a straightforward rock hop. At the northernmost crossing of Camp 9 Brook, there's a log to use, but also some stony sections of the brook that could be walked through as well. The other two crossings of Camp 9 Brook were fairly straightforward rock hops. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Many blowdowns on Franconia Brook Trail - they could generally be stepped over without too much trouble. Some very wet and muddy areas on Franconia Brook Trail as well, some of which had bypasses around them. All signs are in place. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
These trails are nice and easy - good for dogs. |
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 | Bugs: |
Same as yesterday - not an issue while I was moving. There were plenty around whenever I stopped, but they generally weren't bothersome.
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
This has to be one of the easiest eight-mile one-way hikes in the White Mountains. Having stayed at 13 Falls the night before, I could enjoy a nice easy walk out. Franconia Brook Trail has very gentle grades with mostly excellent footing. There are a few rockier and muddier areas, but overall the blowdowns and river crossings are the things that will slow you down (though I still averaged >2 mph despite the heavy pack, painful feet, and the river crossings and blowdowns). The most interesting section of Franconia Brook Trail is the part between the southern junction with Lincoln Brook Trail and the crossing of Hellgate Brook - this section goes around several beaver ponds and provides scenery that is lacking on the rest of the trail. The section here mentioned in the WMG as being flooded by beavers is mostly dry and passable again - the crossing of the beaver pond's outlet brook is the only area that's still wet, and that's a fairly simple step-over now. Though you can see the area that used to be flooded, since the trail is a bit more eroded there. I could hear lots of frogs in the beaver ponds.
As much as I enjoyed being in the Wilderness, it was nice to cross the footbridge over Franconia Brook and re-enter civilization. I passed a steady stream of hikers on Lincoln Woods Trail going to Franconia Falls. Not too much to say about Lincoln Woods Trail.
This was an enjoyable trip! I'll definitely be going back to 13 Falls sometime. It was great to chat with all the hikers who I met there. |
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 | Name: |
GN |
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 | E-Mail: |
ghnaigles@gmail.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2024-07-14 |
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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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