| 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: |
Tuesday, October 22, 2024 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Plenty of open spots at the Old Bridle Path trailhead parking on this Fall weekday at 8:05AM and 4:00PM. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
The water crossings on the Falling Waters Trail are not difficult at today's water level. There is a bridge over Walker Brook.
The most difficult crossing is over the Eagle Lake outflow near the hut. There are a series of rocks that can be used to avoid the water. You can test your balance. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Trails in good condition. There has been extensive trail work and relocations on the lower sections of both the Falling Waters Trail and the Old Bridle Path. The project is still in progress although additional work may wait until next year.
There were a couple of step over tree falls and a couple of trees high over the trail on the Falling Waters Trail. No difficulties for today's hike. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Fine for dogs. Be sure to control your dog in the alpine zone. One dog was getting a free ride in a back pouch on a MD hiker. |
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 | Bugs: |
None |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
What a day for October 22nd. It felt more like a summer hike. It is easy to avoid the small snow patches. You would need to intentionally step in the snow as it was so small. There is some mud but it was not the deep muck type. The ledges near the falls on the Falling Waters Trail are wet but were not too slippery on ascent. If they remain wet when the temperatures cool on Thursday, the surfaces may become icy.
Many of the hardwood trees are bare of leaves and others had mainly brown or dull orange foliage. The best of the Fall leave color has passed by. The water flow was sufficient to make for a magnificent display at the many waterfalls but not high enough to complicate the water crossings.
A group of three guys headed off the summit of Mt Lafayette in the direction of Mt Garfield. Luckily, they noticed that they were not heading towards the hut so they backtracked back to Mt Lafayette. I have witnessed a number of hikers making this error even though the sign provides the proper information. On descent, there is a sharp left turn at a cairn. I think this is a spot in the past where some hikers have missed the turn and headed off path.
The hut is closed but there is bathroom facilities and water available for now. The construction croo was at the hut.
There were quite a few hikers on the popular Franconia Loop circuit today (going in both directions). Not the huge crowd as a fine weekend day. Met hikers born in Korea, Vietnam, France, and Quebec. Also, hikers from many US states outside New England. Met a Concord NH couple at the beginning of the hike who caught back up with me right at the end of the hike. There was a group from Dartmouth Hitchcock hospital on the ridge.
The dark purple diapensia mats were the most prominent feature in the alpine zone.
Great views from all areas above tree line with only small fair wether clouds except more cloud cover on Mt Washington later in the PM.
There is quite an elaborate and colorful information board at the junction of the Falling Waters Trail and the side trail to Shining Rock.
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 | Name: |
WAUMBEK |
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 | E-Mail: |
waumbek@roadrunner.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2024-10-22 |
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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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