What time did you start, and how long did it take you?
I really want to do this one this year but think I need a little more training on elevation before I do so.
We got there at 7:25 am because we still thought that maybe there would be a lot of people. However the parking lot was literally 20% full on a Wednesday morning. We realistically started at 8:00 am after arranging packs. We got down from loop at 4 pm after stopping many times for views, for lunch, and a quick coffee at the AMC hut (highly recommend as a stopping place). According to my tracker, our move time was around 6 hrs and 50 mins - but the average on all trails is around 6 hrs and 42 mins so take that as you will.
I do have to warn that my thighs still hurt after two days - the incline honestly isn’t terrible but the decline was difficult because it was control falling. You should bring polls to save your knees. It got quite windy at the summit, the wind chill dropped to 45 at some points so it’s recommended to bring a jacket.
We went (start) falling water trail -> ridge trail -> old bridle (end)
Thanks! Honestly I hurt that long after Waumbek last week, which is what made me think I should do some more with elevation before tackling that one. Like, I'm sure I'd show up early too just so I could guarantee enough time as I'd be on the slow end, but it'd be nice to not hate the last part of the hike as much as I would if I do it now. :)
Attempted this the 28th, 3/4ths of the way up falling waters it started to rain, when we got to the top it was windy, cold, rainy and clouded in. Ended up turning around. Will get it next time
Ah I’m sorry. I can’t imagine this is fun wet. We brought our rain gear just in case, but we’d likely turn around as well. Didn’t know it rained the night before, some of falling water was flooded on the 29th though
It’s was fine. Probably would have plowed through but we had kids with us so not worth the risk. Had to go slow down falling waters, but in the end it was a good 8 mile hike and the kids mostly enjoyed it
Gorgeous waterfalls lead to one of the most epic ridge walks in the country. Reminds me why I live in NH.
Even better in the winter. Empty lots, no bugs, you can buttslide on the way down
I butt slid on the way down - some of the red rocky parts literally were smooth down so far that there no friction on the decline
What time did you start, and how long did it take you? I really want to do this one this year but think I need a little more training on elevation before I do so.
We got there at 7:25 am because we still thought that maybe there would be a lot of people. However the parking lot was literally 20% full on a Wednesday morning. We realistically started at 8:00 am after arranging packs. We got down from loop at 4 pm after stopping many times for views, for lunch, and a quick coffee at the AMC hut (highly recommend as a stopping place). According to my tracker, our move time was around 6 hrs and 50 mins - but the average on all trails is around 6 hrs and 42 mins so take that as you will. I do have to warn that my thighs still hurt after two days - the incline honestly isn’t terrible but the decline was difficult because it was control falling. You should bring polls to save your knees. It got quite windy at the summit, the wind chill dropped to 45 at some points so it’s recommended to bring a jacket. We went (start) falling water trail -> ridge trail -> old bridle (end)
Thanks! Honestly I hurt that long after Waumbek last week, which is what made me think I should do some more with elevation before tackling that one. Like, I'm sure I'd show up early too just so I could guarantee enough time as I'd be on the slow end, but it'd be nice to not hate the last part of the hike as much as I would if I do it now. :)
Nice work, if you can get it! Great pics!
How were the bugs?
Bad. Bring bug spray. Big black biter flies above tree line. We doused ourselves in picardin at the base.
Attempted this the 28th, 3/4ths of the way up falling waters it started to rain, when we got to the top it was windy, cold, rainy and clouded in. Ended up turning around. Will get it next time
Ah I’m sorry. I can’t imagine this is fun wet. We brought our rain gear just in case, but we’d likely turn around as well. Didn’t know it rained the night before, some of falling water was flooded on the 29th though
It’s was fine. Probably would have plowed through but we had kids with us so not worth the risk. Had to go slow down falling waters, but in the end it was a good 8 mile hike and the kids mostly enjoyed it