Trip Report: White Mountains, NH - Pemigewasset Wilderness
Sunday, September 20, 2009 at 12:52PM
fred in New Hampshire, hiking, hiking, photo

18 Sept 2009.

The plan. The plan was achievable. The plan was to hike the Lincoln Woods Trail to Franconia Falls, swing by Shoal Pond and Thoreau Falls before heading back. Four Days. 26 miles. Under 6.5 miles a day. Easy.

I was hiking with an inexperienced individual who had back surgery less then a year ago. The emphasis was on balancing ease with picturesque. Build an experience that wouldn't tax the system.

(East Branch) Pemigewasset River, Bondcliff in the background (East Branch) Pemigewasset River, Bondcliff in the background

We started out slowly, chatting, stopping to take pictures (like the one above). There was no rush.

Lincoln Woods Trail (after Osseo Trail) Lincoln Woods Trail (after Osseo Trail branch off)

The tenor of the hike changed shortly after the Osseo trail branched off. The breaks became more frequent, the conversation less so.

When we reached the Black Pond Trail and I happily announced our proximity to Franconia Falls. Unfortunately, that distance was to great. Back pain, which had been slowly building, had now reached the point where my companion was concerned about making the trip back to the car. So, 2.6 miles in, the "easy" camping expedition was canceled and efforts were made to ensure a successful return trip (eating, hydrating, and transferring the injured persons pack to the non-injured).

The return trip was quick, despite stopping frequently to rest (and take Pemi pictures), and uneventful. Exactly what you want when a team member is nursing an injury.


(East Branch) Pemigewasset River facing south

White Mountains - Pemigewasset Wilderness

 


Distance: 5.2 miles
Time: 3 hours 20 minutes
AMC 4k peaks: N/A
Article originally appeared on Follow Fred (http://www.followfred.com/).
See website for complete article licensing information.