DAY 1
Left early Wednesday so I would not have any trouble getting a tent platform at Liberty Spring. We parked at the Flume Gorge parking area and walked the bike path to the trail head — an anxious 9/10 mile. We found the trail head, took a pic or two, and started our ascent. The trail was fairly easy at first. Sierra was doing great with her own water and supplies in her pack. After the “Mt. Washington Incident” [i.e.: carrying too much water/cramping], I decided that maybe Sierra could make things a smidgen easier on me. She seemed happy to oblige. “Good dog!”
6/10 mile in, we hit the Flume Trail split. This trail is a rock scramble: not ideal for dogs. We turned left and knew we had 2 miles until the tent sites. Maybe 4/10 mile in, the true ascent started, and it really was pretty steady all the way up. The rocks were good stepping stones for much of the trail, and we met two thru-hikers going up. They seemed smitten with: 1) the cooler temperature & 2) the White Mountains in general. They blazed past us as I consumed some food and hydrated Sierra. At this point, I am pouring sweat. Covered. My shirts, a dish towel. My shorts, a sponge. I glanced at Sierra and wondered if evolution gave dogs the upper hand on cooling themselves.
We pushed forward, more rocks, steeper, more rocks. Then a white tarp. It was the caretaker’s shelter for the tent sites. I was thrilled. We pushed forward another 50 yards, and come to a three-way: left--the tent sites; straight--Mt. Liberty after 3/10 mile; and right--the water spring. I hoist off my pack and secure Sierra to a tree. I place my water bottle under the dripping spring and wait, noticing my own sweat pooling in the dirt near-by. I am hot, but thrilled to be here. After getting fresh water, we head into the tenting area. It is one long trail with offshoots for the privy, dishwashing station, and 10 different areas to camp. The tent platforms are well built and many of the first sites say “Large groups only” so Sierra and I keep heading in. I had pondered a certain site or two for privacy, and to my pleasure, site 10 at the end of the trail was empty — and now our home for the afternoon and evening.
Someone had left rope for a drying station. Excellent, shirt goes off and on to the rope. Next, comes the tent. I use much of the left over rope for helping to secure the tent and rainfly to the platform. Once setup, the tent area looks great. We’re spilling over the left side, but who cares. All the while, Sierra is investigating a nearby patch of roots. Next, the bear bag. Rope went up and over two trees; carabiner secured; food goes up [the tent caretaker later told me I had the best bear bag hang he’d ever seen in the campsite. Score].
After camp is set up, I decide we should make our way to the top of Mt. Liberty. It is 3/10 mile to a trail juncture, then another 1/2 mile to the peak. We start hauling. Everyone is thrilled to see Sierra and her pack. We reach a nice area to view the peak — being only 2/10 mile out. Snap some pics, and then over to the peak. Wind blowing and feeling great. I collect myself, we both get some water, and then back down to camp.
Once down, I decide it’s time for dinner — as I am ravenous. Rice and chicken one-pot meal. Things go off without a hitch, and I feed Sierra while my water is boiling. We sit for a bit, relax, take in the cool temperature and fading sunlight through the trees. A chill settles on the west side of the mountain where we’re camping. The caretaker, Flamingo, comes in. We chat about my plans, hikes to do in the Whites, his job, my job, and I pay the overnight fee. Once he leaves, I feel tired. We head in to the tent, and both human and dog fall to sleep.
DAY 2
Sierra awakes at 5 am. I am not ready to be awake. I settle her back down and rest until 5:45, when I hear others stirring in nearby sites. I feed Sierra, grab my food bag, pack the water, and we start another ascent. I decided to let Sierra slack-pack this morning, as I only carry two water bottles for us both and decide to take it easy on her. As opposed to bagging Liberty again, I head left/north at the juncture up from the tent platforms ... following Franconia Ridge trail over to Falling Waters Trail. It is a “down-then up again.” Part nature walk, part knee busting rock scramble. Sierra preforms like a professional. The clouds are low. Much of the fog in the valley hasn’t burnt off either. The sun leaks through the low conifers. Clouds bleed through the branches, and a nice chill keeps up cool. We reach Mt. Haystack, and I fire up my oatmeal. I check Sierra’s feet, and there are two exposed areas on both front paws. She appears to be unfazed by the peeling though, so I assume she’s doing OK. Out come the booties, as this is becoming “old hat” for us [see Mt. Washington blog entry].
I finish breakfast, pack up, and head back from where we came. Would’ve liked to get Mount Lincoln [the 4000-footer before Mt. Lafyette] in, but Sierra’s feet had me feeling cautious. And to be honest, the trip had been great so far. No reason to needlessly push it. We had back for the “down-then up” again. This time, it feels much easier. Sierra has trouble with one descent so decides to “slide” down a rock, using her booties as skis. I am amazed at her gumption for blazing trail. The ascent this time around is nice: woodsy, balsam in the air, stronger sun, and the dying breeze. We hit the junction and say hello to some kids [one who remarked of Sierra: “She’s a pro!”; I couldn’t agree more]. We descend back to the camp site. I pack up while Sierra naps in the tent with the door open. Finally, I give her the proverbial “boot,” pack the tent, and we’re ready to leave.
The descent is tiring. Very fast, thanks to Sierra’s pace. Again, I am pouring sweat, but it all feels good. We pass several hikers. I notice the vegetation changing, and we can hear the traffic on 93 near Franconia Notch. After a brook crossing, I know we’re almost there. Sierra, sensing that our hike is coming to a close, turns on the after burners. This exhausts me. It is hard keeping up with her, but her joy for coming down rubs off on me. We turn a corner and notice the bike path. Joyous day. Only the 9/10 mile walk back to the car. It is paved, but I am spent. Sierra also seems to be spent, as indicated by her totally slack leash. We make it back. I grab a pic of us at the bottom, collect myself, give Sierra water, and we pack up in the car. Sierra is asleep in 2 seconds. Ah, to be a dog.
I stop for food on the way home. Tunes on, the sun out, and a sleeping pup in the back. We make it home. I am happy to see Mel, Nia ... and our big soft bed.
Happy hiking.
Pictures
