Lincoln, Liberty, and Flume – Franconia Ridge, White Mountains
Type of Hike: Long Weekend

Matt’s Gear:

• Base Layer: Mountain Hardwear Tech T, EMS convertible Pants, REI Long Sleeve UPF 50+ Button Up
• Insulation: Patagonia Down Sweater Jacket
• Shell: EMS Thunderhead Jacket
• Accessories:
• Pack: Osprey Atmos 65 2nd Generation

Gear: Gabrielle

• Base Layer: Lululemon Crop Leggings, Smartwool Long Sleeve T-shirt, Horny Toad Flannel.
• Insulation: North Face Redpoint Jacket, EMS Fleece Jacket
• Shell: EMS Thunderhead Rain Jacket
• Accessories: Eddie Bauer Down Mittens
• Pack: Osprey Aura 50 2nd Generation

We left Boston Thursday evening, car packed and ready for our long weekend in the White Mountains. After a night of car camping we woke up Friday morning to a gorgeous day, perfectly clear skies. It took us an hour and a half to reach an empty Liberty Spring Tentsite. Matthew paid the caretaker and received our assigned tent platform (first time we have ever been assigned a specific platform, apparently they had been having trouble with bears). We were super excited about the new Big Agnes Copper Spur UL 2 Tent we had just purchased and decided to set-up camp before heading up to Lincoln. We scampered up the last 0.3 of Liberty Spring Trail before taking a left onto Franconia Ridge Trail, remaining in this for just over 2.5 miles. All in all it took us just under an hour and a half to reach the summit of Mt. Lincoln from the tent platforms, blessed with crystal clear skies.

Matthew had packed us picnic lunch early that morning and we spent the majority of the afternoon relaxing on the summit before heading back to Liberty Spring. To be honest I have never seen such perfect weather above treeline before, the views we incredible. Tentsite was quiet for Flags on the 48, but then again it was a Friday. We played some cards, took a nap, and Matthew made us some Mary Jane Organic Freeze Dried Meals for dinner as we enjoyed a beautiful sunset from our lookout.

Saturday morning Matthew surprised me with Chocolate Chip Pancakes, hot chocolate, and real maple syrup the next morning, although if I am being honest it was a premeditated tactic to get me out of my sleeping bag. My preferred time for activity is between 2pm-2am. The tentsite was still pretty empty so we left our camp setup and made out way back up to Franconia Ridge Trail, this time taking a right towards Mt. Liberty and Mt. Flume. Within 20 minutes we were on the summit of a hazy Mt. Liberty, arriving at Mt. Flume 1.2 miles and 40 minutes later. By now the haze had begun to clear and we headed back to Mt. Liberty to take a few photos and enjoy the much improved view. Upon our second summit of Mt. Liberty we ran into the first of the Flags On The 48 Weekend Hikers, returning to an active Liberty Springs Campsite. We quickly packed up our platform and headed down Liberty Spring Trail to the Parking lot. For the most part it was a quiet trip back, parking lot started to get busy with weekend hikers just before we left. About 12pm.

We spent the remainder of our weekend exploring Sugar Hill, The Basin, Flume Gorge, and North Conway before making our way back to Boston. This is one of my favorite trips to date. The tent platforms are beautiful and offer plenty of space, while Franconia Ridge offers some of my favorite views in New Hampshire.