Hike started at 0310 hours, in the northbound Basin Parking lot i was the only person there on a Tuesday morning. It was in the low 40s, perfect for my tastes. My intentions were to get a sunrise hike. The summit forecast was clear right in the morning then cloudy which ended up being true. This is one of my personal favorite loops & after hitting Lafayette i will have been atop of it over 30 times now since 2008. The loop takes the bike path to a 5 minute bushwack path, up liberty springs, onto Franconia ridge, up to lafayette, the down the bridal path. A mile & a half bike path walk at the end allows legs to be stretched, less pain on the drive home.
Anyway…the trail conditions were excellent as can be expected when we have a bit drier weather/this time of year. I wore bare boots the entire hike but noted at 5000 feet (lincoln) frozen water, so the next time it rains you will want traction.
The winds were so low on the ridge all i needed was a base layer to cover skin & a very light insulated/puffy jacket.
Stopped in Greenleaf hut to see what was going on, next weekend is the last weekend it is open. It was dead. I saw about 5-10 people all day, definately the way i prefer things.
I was/am taken back by the amount of trail work that has been done on the bridal path the first two miles in. Compared to last year & years before it is basically a new trail making it easier for people of all abilities.
