Monday, January 1
Summits: Lafayette, Lincoln, Little Haystack, Liberty, Flume
Start: Falling Waters TH
Finish: Basin TH
Miles: 12.34
Elevation gain/loss: 5850′
I was at the trailhead by 5:30am and heading up the trail by 5:40am. It was pretty cold and snowing and I wasn’t excited to start my day in the dark. It was my first hike of the year where my water bottles both froze completely by the end of my hike. I wore spikes door to door, and was granted a beautiful sunrise as I climbed Lafayette, with a breathtaking undercast and golden light. I made good time and enjoyed my miles, though Liberty Springs trail was more rocky and difficult than ~3 weeks ago. I saw temperatures down to -5 windchill on the ridge but it warmed up to 20 degrees by the end. I managed to snag a ride back to my car from visitors in the Basin parking lot!
Once there, I started my car, cranked the heat, and proceeded to change all of my sweat-soaked clothing so I could start my next hike in dry clothing. I knew from experience that was a good way to get extremely cold and based on the forecast, it was going to be very cold on the Kinsmans/Cannon and the night temperature was going to drop quickly. I hopped in my car and drove around to Lafayette Place to warm up in the car, start closer to the trailhead, and have less driving to do later.
