{"id":9828,"date":"2025-06-15T22:59:53","date_gmt":"2025-06-15T14:59:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/?p=9828"},"modified":"2025-08-17T00:34:07","modified_gmt":"2025-08-16T16:34:07","slug":"20250615franconia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/index.php\/2025\/06\/15\/20250615franconia\/","title":{"rendered":"Hiking Franconia Ridge"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Mid-June 2025, I headed out to hike Franconia Ridge Loop, arguably New Hampshire\u2019s most iconic trail in the White Mountains.<\/p>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/DSC_5262.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails\/DSC_5262.jpg\" alt=\"Trail on Franconia Ridge\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Trail on Franconia Ridge<\/p><\/div>\n<p><script 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{\n\t\tfixedWidth:100,height:67,gap:10,\n\t\tfocus:'center',keyboard:'focused',\n\t\tcover:true,isNavigation:true,\n\t\tbreakpoints :{'600':{fixedWidth:57,height:39,pagination:false,arrows:false,gap:5,}},\n\t} ).mount();\n\tvar primarySlider9 = new Splide( '#splide-major-9', {\n\t\ttype:'fade',pagination:false,arrows:false,\n\t} );\n\tprimarySlider9.sync( secondarySlider9 ).mount();\n\tvar secondarySlider10 = new Splide( '#splide-thumb-10', {\n\t\tfixedWidth:100,height:133,gap:9,\n\t\tfocus:'center',keyboard:'focused',\n\t\tcover:true,isNavigation:true,\n\t\tbreakpoints :{'600':{fixedWidth:42,height:56,pagination:false,arrows:false,gap:5,}},\n\t} ).mount();\n\tvar primarySlider10 = new Splide( '#splide-major-10', {\n\t\ttype:'fade',pagination:false,arrows:false,\n\t} );\n\tprimarySlider10.sync( secondarySlider10 ).mount();\n\tvar secondarySlider11 = new Splide( '#splide-thumb-11', {\n\t\tfixedWidth:100,height:72,gap:10,\n\t\tfocus:'center',keyboard:'focused',\n\t\tcover:true,isNavigation:true,\n\t\tbreakpoints :{'600':{fixedWidth:56,height:40,pagination:false,arrows:false,gap:5,}},\n\t} ).mount();\n\tvar primarySlider11 = new Splide( '#splide-major-11', {\n\t\ttype:'fade',pagination:false,arrows:false,\n\t} );\n\tprimarySlider11.sync( secondarySlider11 ).mount();\n\tvar secondarySlider12 = new Splide( '#splide-thumb-12', {\n\t\tfixedWidth:100,height:133,gap:9,\n\t\tfocus:'center',keyboard:'focused',\n\t\tcover:true,isNavigation:true,\n\t\tbreakpoints :{'600':{fixedWidth:42,height:56,pagination:false,arrows:false,gap:5,}},\n\t} ).mount();\n\tvar primarySlider12 = new Splide( '#splide-major-12', {\n\t\ttype:'fade',pagination:false,arrows:false,\n\t} );\n\tprimarySlider12.sync( secondarySlider12 ).mount();\n} );\n<\/script><\/p>\n<p><!--more--><\/p>\n<p>Rated the most popular trail by AllTrails in New Hampshire, the Franconia Ridge loop traces an elegant ridgeline connecting several peaks. Its position above the treeline offers sweeping views from the heart of New Hampshire&#8217;s White Mountains, a rare treat not commonly bestowed by other trails in the region, which I savored with great appreciation.<\/p>\n<p>After moving to Boston last year, I had hoped to attempt Franconia Ridge on my first of many trips to the White Mountains. Back then the parking lot was full so I hiked the nearby Mt Garfield instead. Having since explored many of the surrounding &#8211; albeit somewhat less spectacular &#8211; peaks, I decided the time had come to give Franconia Ridge the proper attempt it deserved. (With a week-long Alaskan trip planned for the July 4th holiday, this hike would also serve as valuable conditioning for the more demanding trails awaiting me in the north.)<\/p>\n<p>Rising relatively early on the morning of June 15, I made my way to Franconia Notch. I arrived at the parking lot at 9:45am and had prepared to take the shuttle in case it was full, but luckily a few spots still remained, sparing me the extra journey. After some warmup, I started just before 10am.<br \/>\nHere&#8217;s GPS tracking:<\/p>\n<div class=\"mobile-hide\" style=\"width:100%;aspect-ratio:6\/5;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" frameBorder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" src=\"https:\/\/www.wikiloc.com\/wikiloc\/spatialArtifacts.do?event=view&#038;id=227141941&#038;measures=on&#038;title=off&#038;near=off&#038;images=off&#038;maptype=H\" width=\"100%\" height=\"100%\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<div class=\"desktop-hide\" style=\"width:100%;aspect-ratio:3\/5;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" frameBorder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" src=\"https:\/\/www.wikiloc.com\/wikiloc\/spatialArtifacts.do?event=view&#038;id=227141941&#038;measures=on&#038;title=off&#038;near=off&#038;images=off&#038;maptype=H\" width=\"100%\" height=\"100%\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<p>Like most hikers, I chose to tackle the loop counterclockwise, going uphill along the steepest sections along Dry Brook. This direction offered an additional reward along the ridge: the sun at my back, illuminating the landscape before me in great clarity.<\/p>\n<p>After a short walk in the woods, the trail met Dry Brook, following its course for a considerable distance. Along the way was a series of waterfalls, their gentle murmurs providing welcomed relief during the otherwise relentless climb.<\/p>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-major-1\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/20250615_100642.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails\/20250615_100642.jpg\" width=\"46.6%\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/a><\/br>Trail<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Near the intersection of the loop.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/20250615_100758.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails\/20250615_100758.jpg\" width=\"50%\" alt=\"Walker Brook\" \/><\/a><\/br>Walker Brook<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/20250615_102016.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails\/20250615_102016.jpg\" width=\"50%\" alt=\"Dry Brook\" \/><\/a><\/br>Dry Brook<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/DSC_5180.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails\/DSC_5180.jpg\" alt=\"Waterfall\" \/><\/a><\/br>Waterfall<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/DSC_5186.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails\/DSC_5186.jpg\" width=\"44.5%\" alt=\"Stairs Falls\" \/><\/a><\/br>Stairs Falls<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/20250615_103133.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails\/20250615_103133.jpg\" width=\"82%\" alt=\"Water Crossing\" \/><\/a><\/br>Water Crossing<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Next to Stairs Falls.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/20250615_103209.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails\/20250615_103209.jpg\" width=\"50%\" alt=\"Steep Trail\" \/><\/a><\/br>Steep Trail<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/20250615_103815.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails\/20250615_103815.jpg\" width=\"50%\" alt=\"Muddy Trail\" \/><\/a><\/br>Muddy Trail<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/20250615_104522.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails\/20250615_104522.jpg\" width=\"50%\" alt=\"Trail along Dry Brook\" \/><\/a><\/br>Trail along Dry Brook<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-thumb-1\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails-s\/20250615_100642.jpg\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails-s\/20250615_100758.jpg\" alt=\"Walker Brook\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails-s\/20250615_102016.jpg\" alt=\"Dry Brook\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_5180.jpg\" alt=\"Waterfall\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_5186.jpg\" alt=\"Stairs Falls\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails-s\/20250615_103133.jpg\" alt=\"Water Crossing\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails-s\/20250615_103209.jpg\" alt=\"Steep Trail\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails-s\/20250615_103815.jpg\" alt=\"Muddy Trail\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails-s\/20250615_104522.jpg\" alt=\"Trail along Dry Brook\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><noscript><br \/>\nJavascript not enabled, unable to display slideshow.<\/p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n#splide-major-1, #splide-thumb-1 { display:none; }\n<\/style>\n<details>\n<summary>Click here to display photos of the slideshow<\/summary>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/20250615_100642.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails\/20250615_100642.jpg\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Trail<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Near the intersection of the loop.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/20250615_100758.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails\/20250615_100758.jpg\" alt=\"Walker Brook\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Walker Brook<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/20250615_102016.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails\/20250615_102016.jpg\" alt=\"Dry Brook\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Dry Brook<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/DSC_5180.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails\/DSC_5180.jpg\" alt=\"Waterfall\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Waterfall<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/DSC_5186.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails\/DSC_5186.jpg\" alt=\"Stairs Falls\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Stairs Falls<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/20250615_103133.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails\/20250615_103133.jpg\" alt=\"Water Crossing\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Water Crossing<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Next to Stairs Falls.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/20250615_103209.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails\/20250615_103209.jpg\" alt=\"Steep Trail\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Steep Trail<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/20250615_103815.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails\/20250615_103815.jpg\" alt=\"Muddy Trail\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Muddy Trail<\/p><\/div>\n<p><div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/20250615_104522.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails\/20250615_104522.jpg\" alt=\"Trail along Dry Brook\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Trail along Dry Brook<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<\/details>\n<p><\/noscript><\/p>\n<p>Due to its proximity to waterfalls, it came as no surprise that parts of the trail traversed on rock surfaces that were occasionally wet. This was particularly evident for a brief section after Cloudland Falls, the largest waterfall along the route. There the trail made a few water crossings, and was marginally hard to follow at times. There was one move where I used my hands, but overall I would say it\u2019s nothing technical.<\/p>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-major-2\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/DSC_5195.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails\/DSC_5195.jpg\" width=\"50%\" alt=\"Cloudland Falls\" \/><\/a><\/br>Cloudland Falls<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/20250615_105351.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails\/20250615_105351.jpg\" alt=\"Overlooking Cloudland Falls\" \/><\/a><\/br>Overlooking Cloudland Falls<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/20250615_105416.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails\/20250615_105416.jpg\" width=\"56.25%\" alt=\"Waterfalls\" \/><\/a><\/br>Waterfalls<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/20250615_105604.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails\/20250615_105604.jpg\" alt=\"Trail along Waterfalls\" \/><\/a><\/br>Trail along Waterfalls<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/20250615_105828.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails\/20250615_105828.jpg\" width=\"56.25%\" alt=\"Cascades along Dry Brook\" \/><\/a><\/br>Cascades along Dry Brook<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/20250615_105943.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails\/20250615_105943.jpg\" width=\"56.25%\" alt=\"Trail under Outcropping Rocks\" \/><\/a><\/br>Trail under Outcropping Rocks<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/20250615_110238.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails\/20250615_110238.jpg\" width=\"56.25%\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/a><\/br>Trail<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-thumb-2\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_5195.jpg\" alt=\"Cloudland Falls\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails-s\/20250615_105351.jpg\" alt=\"Overlooking Cloudland Falls\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails-s\/20250615_105416.jpg\" alt=\"Waterfalls\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails-s\/20250615_105604.jpg\" alt=\"Trail along Waterfalls\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails-s\/20250615_105828.jpg\" alt=\"Cascades along Dry Brook\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails-s\/20250615_105943.jpg\" alt=\"Trail under Outcropping Rocks\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails-s\/20250615_110238.jpg\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><noscript><br \/>\nJavascript not enabled, unable to display slideshow.<\/p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n#splide-major-2, #splide-thumb-2 { display:none; }\n<\/style>\n<details>\n<summary>Click here to display photos of the slideshow<\/summary>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/DSC_5195.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails\/DSC_5195.jpg\" alt=\"Cloudland Falls\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Cloudland Falls<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/20250615_105351.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails\/20250615_105351.jpg\" alt=\"Overlooking Cloudland Falls\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Overlooking Cloudland Falls<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/20250615_105416.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails\/20250615_105416.jpg\" alt=\"Waterfalls\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Waterfalls<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/20250615_105604.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails\/20250615_105604.jpg\" alt=\"Trail along Waterfalls\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Trail along Waterfalls<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/20250615_105828.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails\/20250615_105828.jpg\" alt=\"Cascades along Dry Brook\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Cascades along Dry Brook<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/20250615_105943.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails\/20250615_105943.jpg\" alt=\"Trail under Outcropping Rocks\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Trail under Outcropping Rocks<\/p><\/div>\n<p><div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/20250615_110238.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails\/20250615_110238.jpg\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Trail<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<\/details>\n<p><\/noscript><\/p>\n<p>Finally, the trail departed Dry Brook and I could breathe a sigh of relief as the trail condition greatly improved to a typical walk in the woods.<\/p>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-major-3\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/20250615_111323.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails\/20250615_111323.jpg\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/a><\/br>Trail<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/20250615_112715.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails\/20250615_112715.jpg\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/a><\/br>Trail<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/20250615_114022.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails\/20250615_114022.jpg\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/a><\/br>Trail<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/20250615_121549.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails\/20250615_121549.jpg\" alt=\"Steep Trail to Shining Rock\" \/><\/a><\/br>Steep Trail to Shining Rock<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/20250615_123327.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails\/20250615_123327.jpg\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/a><\/br>Trail<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-thumb-3\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails-s\/20250615_111323.jpg\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails-s\/20250615_112715.jpg\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails-s\/20250615_114022.jpg\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails-s\/20250615_121549.jpg\" alt=\"Steep Trail to Shining Rock\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails-s\/20250615_123327.jpg\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><noscript><br \/>\nJavascript not enabled, unable to display slideshow.<\/p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n#splide-major-3, #splide-thumb-3 { display:none; }\n<\/style>\n<details>\n<summary>Click here to display photos of the trail.<\/summary>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/20250615_111323.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails\/20250615_111323.jpg\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Trail<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/20250615_112715.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails\/20250615_112715.jpg\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Trail<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/20250615_114022.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails\/20250615_114022.jpg\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Trail<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/20250615_121549.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails\/20250615_121549.jpg\" alt=\"Steep Trail to Shining Rock\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Steep Trail to Shining Rock<\/p><\/div>\n<p><div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/20250615_123327.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails\/20250615_123327.jpg\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Trail<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<\/details>\n<p><\/noscript><\/p>\n<p>Some time later, the trail reached an intersection with a spur leading to &#8220;Shining Rock&#8221;. The spur was 120m (400ft) long with some elevation changes. I figured I was making good progress and thus decided to check it out.<\/p>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/20250615_121234.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails-m\/20250615_121234.jpg\" width=\"49%\" alt=\"Shining Rock\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\">&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/20250615_121436.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails-m\/20250615_121436.jpg\" width=\"49%\" alt=\"Shining Rock\" \/><\/a><\/br>Shining Rock<\/p><\/div>\n<p>&#8220;Shining Rock&#8221; revealed itself to be an immense slab of rock, its surface adorned with rivulets of water that transformed the rock face into a glistening canvas that elegantly justified its evocative name. From its base, however, I found it hard to fully comprehend its enormity as the rock slab followed the natural contour of the mountainside. It seemed to demand a different vantage point that only wings could deliver.<\/p>\n<p>After returning to the interaction, I continued onto Little Haystack Mountain, which I reached shortly after.<\/p>\n<p>Little Haystack Mountain was the first major summit along the Franconia Loop trail. As a fitting reward for my exertion, it unveiled panoramic vistas of the surrounding peaks, including several familiar silhouettes I had climbed over the past year. Beyond, the ridgeline etched a delicate thread of stone through verdant vegetation, tracing the path toward Mount Lincoln.<\/p>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-major-4\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/DSC_5238.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails\/DSC_5238.jpg\" alt=\"Trail to Mt Lincoln\" \/><\/a><\/br>Trail to Mt Lincoln<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/DSC_5206.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails\/DSC_5206.jpg\" alt=\"Mt Lincoln\" \/><\/a><\/br>Mt Lincoln<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/DSC_5234.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails\/DSC_5234.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains across Franconia Ridge\" \/><\/a><\/br>Mountains across Franconia Ridge<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/DSC_5205.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails\/DSC_5205.jpg\" alt=\"Cliff of Cannon Mountain\" \/><\/a><\/br>Cliff of Cannon Mountain<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/DSC_5208.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails\/DSC_5208.jpg\" alt=\"Mount Moosilauke in the Background\" \/><\/a><\/br>Mount Moosilauke in the Background<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/DSC_5209C9.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails\/DSC_5209C9.jpg\" alt=\"Mount Liberty\" \/><\/a><\/br>Mount Liberty<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/DSC_5210.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails\/DSC_5210.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains to the South\" \/><\/a><\/br>Mountains to the South<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/DSC_5239.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails\/DSC_5239.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains to the Southeast\" \/><\/a><\/br>Mountains to the Southeast<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/DSC_5212.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails\/DSC_5212.jpg\" width=\"92.5%\" alt=\"Distant Mountains to the Southeast\" \/><\/a><\/br>Distant Mountains to the Southeast<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">The distinctive North Slide of Tripyramid visible in the background center.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/DSC_5237.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails\/DSC_5237.jpg\" alt=\"Twin Range Mountains\" \/><\/a><\/br>Twin Range Mountains<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-thumb-4\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_5238.jpg\" alt=\"Trail to Mt Lincoln\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_5206.jpg\" alt=\"Mt Lincoln\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_5234.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains across Franconia Ridge\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_5205.jpg\" alt=\"Cliff of Cannon Mountain\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_5208.jpg\" alt=\"Mount Moosilauke in the Background\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_5209C9.jpg\" alt=\"Mount Liberty\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_5210.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains to the South\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_5239.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains to the Southeast\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_5212.jpg\" alt=\"Distant Mountains to the Southeast\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_5237.jpg\" alt=\"Twin Range Mountains\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><noscript><br \/>\nJavascript not enabled, unable to display slideshow.<\/p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n#splide-major-4, #splide-thumb-4 { display:none; }\n<\/style>\n<details>\n<summary>Click here to display photos from Little Haystack Mountain.<\/summary>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/DSC_5238.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails\/DSC_5238.jpg\" alt=\"Trail to Mt Lincoln\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Trail to Mt Lincoln<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/DSC_5206.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails\/DSC_5206.jpg\" alt=\"Mt Lincoln\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Mt Lincoln<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/DSC_5234.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails\/DSC_5234.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains across Franconia Ridge\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Mountains across Franconia Ridge<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/DSC_5205.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails\/DSC_5205.jpg\" alt=\"Cliff of Cannon Mountain\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Cliff of Cannon Mountain<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/DSC_5208.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails\/DSC_5208.jpg\" alt=\"Mount Moosilauke in the Background\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Mount Moosilauke in the Background<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/DSC_5209C9.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails\/DSC_5209C9.jpg\" alt=\"Mount Liberty\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Mount Liberty<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/DSC_5210.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails\/DSC_5210.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains to the South\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Mountains to the South<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/DSC_5239.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails\/DSC_5239.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains to the Southeast\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Mountains to the Southeast<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/DSC_5212.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails\/DSC_5212.jpg\" alt=\"Distant Mountains to the Southeast\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Distant Mountains to the Southeast<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">The distinctive North Slide of Tripyramid visible in the background center.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<p><div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/DSC_5237.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails\/DSC_5237.jpg\" alt=\"Twin Range Mountains\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Twin Range Mountains<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<\/details>\n<p><\/noscript><\/p>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/DSC_5214_DSC_5233-20.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails\/DSC_5214_DSC_5233-20.jpg\" alt=\"View from Little Haystack Mountain\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>View from Little Haystack Mountain<\/p><\/div>\n<p>I took a 15-minute break at Little Haystack Mountain before proceeding toward Mt Lincoln. Mt Lincoln, together with North Lincoln, were two less prominent peaks, located roughly at 1\/3 and 2\/3 of the way from Little Haystack to Mt Lafayette, serving as natural rest stops. Their modest stature, however, rendered the views somewhat less spectacular, save for images of the undulating ridgeline that gracefully rose and fell along the hike.<\/p>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-major-5\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/DSC_5240.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails\/DSC_5240.jpg\" alt=\"Trail on Franconia Ridge\" \/><\/a><\/br>Trail on Franconia Ridge<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/20250615_132116.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails\/20250615_132116.jpg\" width=\"89.05%\" alt=\"Trail on Franconia Ridge\" \/><\/a><\/br>Trail on Franconia Ridge<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/DSC_5244.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails\/DSC_5244.jpg\" alt=\"Mt Lafayette\" \/><\/a><\/br>Mt Lafayette<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/DSC_5243.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails\/DSC_5243.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains across Franconia Ridge\" \/><\/a><\/br>Mountains across Franconia Ridge<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/DSC_5241.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails\/DSC_5241.jpg\" alt=\"Mount Guyot\" \/><\/a><\/br>Mount Guyot<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-thumb-5\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_5240.jpg\" alt=\"Trail on Franconia Ridge\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails-s\/20250615_132116.jpg\" alt=\"Trail on Franconia Ridge\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_5244.jpg\" alt=\"Mt Lafayette\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_5243.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains across Franconia Ridge\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_5241.jpg\" alt=\"Mount Guyot\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><noscript><br \/>\nJavascript not enabled, unable to display slideshow.<\/p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n#splide-major-5, #splide-thumb-5 { display:none; }\n<\/style>\n<details>\n<summary>Click here to display photos of the slideshow<\/summary>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/DSC_5240.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails\/DSC_5240.jpg\" alt=\"Trail on Franconia Ridge\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Trail on Franconia Ridge<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/20250615_132116.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails\/20250615_132116.jpg\" alt=\"Trail on Franconia Ridge\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Trail on Franconia Ridge<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/DSC_5244.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails\/DSC_5244.jpg\" alt=\"Mt Lafayette\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Mt Lafayette<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/DSC_5243.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails\/DSC_5243.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains across Franconia Ridge\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Mountains across Franconia Ridge<\/p><\/div>\n<p><div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/DSC_5241.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails\/DSC_5241.jpg\" alt=\"Mount Guyot\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Mount Guyot<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<\/details>\n<p><\/noscript><\/p>\n<p>With no obstructions and nonstop panoramic views, the ridge between Little Haystack and Mt Lafayette was no doubt the highlight of the trip. Yet, given the season, the ridge was plagued by tiny bugs. I found myself frequently waving away the tiny intruders that alighted on my shirt, only to discover, much to my dismay, that these defensive gestures occasionally left small casualties clinging to the fabric\u2014a rather unsettling sight.<br \/>\nAdditionally, I couldn&#8217;t help but notice the gradual thinning of fellow hikers as I approached Mt. Lafayette. Granted Little Haystack Mountain was the closest part of Lafayette Ridge from the parking lot, but I assumed most hikers would be completing the entire loop.<\/p>\n<p>Heading from Little Haystack to Mt Lafayette, I encountered two youngsters each carrying an enormous backpack but unaccompanied by adults. Initially suspecting they planned to lodge at Greenleaf Hut, I learned instead they carried the weight merely &#8220;as training&#8221;\u2014a revelation that gave me pause. Given that I was somewhat <del>training<\/del>conditioning for my upcoming Alaskan trip, which would involve my first YDS class 4 mountain, and I abhorred any form of unnecessary weight, this moment sparked a rare acknowledgment that perhaps my youthfulness had begun its quiet retreat.<\/p>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-major-6\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/DSC_5255.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails\/DSC_5255.jpg\" alt=\"Mt Lincoln\" \/><\/a><\/br>Mt Lincoln<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/DSC_5252.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails\/DSC_5252.jpg\" alt=\"Mt Lafayette\" \/><\/a><\/br>Mt Lafayette<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/DSC_5253.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails\/DSC_5253.jpg\" alt=\"Kinsman Mountains\" \/><\/a><\/br>Kinsman Mountains<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/DSC_5260.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails\/DSC_5260.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains across Franconia Ridge\" \/><\/a><\/br>Mountains across Franconia Ridge<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/20250615_135837.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails\/20250615_135837.jpg\" width=\"84%\" alt=\"Flowers in Field\" \/><\/a><\/br>Flowers in Field<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Little white dots. A nearby ranger said they only bloomed for &#8220;a few days per year&#8221;.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-thumb-6\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_5255.jpg\" alt=\"Mt Lincoln\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_5252.jpg\" alt=\"Mt Lafayette\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_5253.jpg\" alt=\"Kinsman Mountains\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_5260.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains across Franconia Ridge\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails-s\/20250615_135837.jpg\" alt=\"Flowers in Field\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><noscript><br \/>\nJavascript not enabled, unable to display slideshow.<\/p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n#splide-major-6, #splide-thumb-6 { display:none; }\n<\/style>\n<details>\n<summary>Click here to display photos of the slideshow<\/summary>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/DSC_5255.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails\/DSC_5255.jpg\" alt=\"Mt Lincoln\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Mt Lincoln<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/DSC_5252.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails\/DSC_5252.jpg\" alt=\"Mt Lafayette\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Mt Lafayette<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/DSC_5253.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails\/DSC_5253.jpg\" alt=\"Kinsman Mountains\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Kinsman Mountains<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/DSC_5260.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails\/DSC_5260.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains across Franconia Ridge\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Mountains across Franconia Ridge<\/p><\/div>\n<p><div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/20250615_135837.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails\/20250615_135837.jpg\" alt=\"Flowers in Field\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Flowers in Field<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Little white dots. A nearby ranger said they only bloomed for &#8220;a few days per year&#8221;.<\/span><\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<\/details>\n<p><\/noscript><\/p>\n<p>Finally, I reached Mt Lafayette, the highest point of Franconia Ridge, just over an hour after departing Little Haystack Mountain. Still surrounded by views of extensive White Mountains but with subtle and welcomed changes from earlier at Little Haystack, I took a longer rest at Mt Lafayette, savoring New Hampshire&#8217;s finest alpine ridge in all its majesty before bidding it farewell and starting my descent.<br \/>\n<span style=\"font-size: small;\">P.S. The summit of Mt Lafayette had the worst bug situation along the entire trail.<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-major-7\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/DSC_5263.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails\/DSC_5263.jpg\" alt=\"Trail on Franconia Ridge\" \/><\/a><\/br>Trail on Franconia Ridge<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/DSC_5271.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails\/DSC_5271.jpg\" alt=\"Trail to North Lafayette Mountain\" \/><\/a><\/br>Trail to North Lafayette Mountain<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/DSC_5266.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails\/DSC_5266.jpg\" alt=\"Mount Garfield\" \/><\/a><\/br>Mount Garfield<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/DSC_5267.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails\/DSC_5267.jpg\" alt=\"Twin Range Mountains\" \/><\/a><\/br>Twin Range Mountains<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/DSC_5272C9.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails\/DSC_5272C9.jpg\" alt=\"Distant Mount Washington\" \/><\/a><\/br>Distant Mount Washington<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/DSC_5305.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails\/DSC_5305.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains to the Southeast\" \/><\/a><\/br>Mountains to the Southeast<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/DSC_5269.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails\/DSC_5269.jpg\" alt=\"Ski Tracks on Cannon Mountain\" \/><\/a><\/br>Ski Tracks on Cannon Mountain<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/DSC_5270.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails\/DSC_5270.jpg\" alt=\"Cliff of Cannon Mountain\" \/><\/a><\/br>Cliff of Cannon Mountain<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/DSC_5264.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails\/DSC_5264.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains to the Southeast\" \/><\/a><\/br>Mountains to the Southeast<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-thumb-7\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_5263.jpg\" alt=\"Trail on Franconia Ridge\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_5271.jpg\" alt=\"Trail to North Lafayette Mountain\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_5266.jpg\" alt=\"Mount Garfield\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_5267.jpg\" alt=\"Twin Range Mountains\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_5272C9.jpg\" alt=\"Distant Mount Washington\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_5305.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains to the Southeast\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_5269.jpg\" alt=\"Ski Tracks on Cannon Mountain\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_5270.jpg\" alt=\"Cliff of Cannon Mountain\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_5264.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains to the Southeast\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><noscript><br \/>\nJavascript not enabled, unable to display slideshow.<\/p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n#splide-major-7, #splide-thumb-7 { display:none; }\n<\/style>\n<details>\n<summary>Click here to display photos from Mt Lafayette.<\/summary>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/DSC_5263.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails\/DSC_5263.jpg\" alt=\"Trail on Franconia Ridge\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Trail on Franconia Ridge<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/DSC_5271.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails\/DSC_5271.jpg\" alt=\"Trail to North Lafayette Mountain\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Trail to North Lafayette Mountain<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/DSC_5266.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails\/DSC_5266.jpg\" alt=\"Mount Garfield\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Mount Garfield<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/DSC_5267.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails\/DSC_5267.jpg\" alt=\"Twin Range Mountains\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Twin Range Mountains<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/DSC_5272C9.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails\/DSC_5272C9.jpg\" alt=\"Distant Mount Washington\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Distant Mount Washington<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/DSC_5305.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails\/DSC_5305.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains to the Southeast\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Mountains to the Southeast<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/DSC_5269.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails\/DSC_5269.jpg\" alt=\"Ski Tracks on Cannon Mountain\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Ski Tracks on Cannon Mountain<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/DSC_5270.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails\/DSC_5270.jpg\" alt=\"Cliff of Cannon Mountain\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Cliff of Cannon Mountain<\/p><\/div>\n<p><div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/DSC_5264.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails\/DSC_5264.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains to the Southeast\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Mountains to the Southeast<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<\/details>\n<p><\/noscript><\/p>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/DSC_5276_DSC_5296-21.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails\/DSC_5276_DSC_5296-21.jpg\" alt=\"View from Mt Lafayette\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>View from Mt Lafayette<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Leaving Mt Lafayette, the trail lingered above tree line for some distance, offering an encore of the views. <\/p>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-major-8\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/20250615_144133.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails\/20250615_144133.jpg\" width=\"87%\" alt=\"Trail from Mt Lafayette\" \/><\/a><\/br>Trail from Mt Lafayette<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/20250615_144350.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails\/20250615_144350.jpg\" width=\"87%\" alt=\"Trail from Mount Lafayette\" \/><\/a><\/br>Trail from Mount Lafayette<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/DSC_5307.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails\/DSC_5307.jpg\" width=\"98%\" alt=\"Greenleaf Hut among Forest\" \/><\/a><\/br>Greenleaf Hut among Forest<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/20250615_150833.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails-m\/20250615_150833.jpg\" width=\"49%\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/a>&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/20250615_152623.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails-m\/20250615_152623.jpg\" width=\"49%\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/a><\/br>Trail<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-thumb-8\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails-s\/20250615_144133.jpg\" alt=\"Trail from Mt Lafayette\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails-s\/20250615_144350.jpg\" alt=\"Trail from Mount Lafayette\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_5307.jpg\" alt=\"Greenleaf Hut among Forest\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails-s\/20250615_150833.jpg\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><noscript><br \/>\nJavascript not enabled, unable to display slideshow.<\/p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n#splide-major-8, #splide-thumb-8 { display:none; }\n<\/style>\n<details>\n<summary>Click here to display photos of the slideshow<\/summary>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/20250615_144133.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails\/20250615_144133.jpg\" alt=\"Trail from Mt Lafayette\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Trail from Mt Lafayette<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/20250615_144350.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails\/20250615_144350.jpg\" alt=\"Trail from Mount Lafayette\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Trail from Mount Lafayette<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/DSC_5307.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails\/DSC_5307.jpg\" alt=\"Greenleaf Hut among Forest\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Greenleaf Hut among Forest<\/p><\/div>\n<p><div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/20250615_150833.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails-m\/20250615_150833.jpg\" width=\"49%\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\">&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/20250615_152623.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails-m\/20250615_152623.jpg\" width=\"49%\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/a><\/br>Trail<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<\/details>\n<p><\/noscript><\/p>\n<p>Eventually, it led to Greenleaf Hut which, to my surprise, operated more like a proper hostel than a primitive backcountry shelter. It featured running water, a store (!), and a welcoming lobby that framed views of Franconia Ridge through its windows, constituting unexpected luxury given the hut&#8217;s wilderness backdrop.<\/p>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-major-9\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/DSC_5311.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails\/DSC_5311.jpg\" alt=\"Eagle Lake before Franconia Ridge\" \/><\/a><\/br>Eagle Lake before Franconia Ridge<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/DSC_5308.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails\/DSC_5308.jpg\" alt=\"Mt Lafayette\" \/><\/a><\/br>Mt Lafayette<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/DSC_5313.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails\/DSC_5313.jpg\" alt=\"North Lafayette Mountain\" \/><\/a><\/br>North Lafayette Mountain<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/DSC_5310C9.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails\/DSC_5310C9.jpg\" alt=\"Distant Shining Rock\" \/><\/a><\/br>Distant Shining Rock<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/20250615_154029C.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails\/20250615_154029C.jpg\" alt=\"Greenleaf Hut before Mt Lafayette\" \/><\/a><\/br>Greenleaf Hut before Mt Lafayette<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-thumb-9\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_5311.jpg\" alt=\"Eagle Lake before Franconia Ridge\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_5308.jpg\" alt=\"Mt Lafayette\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_5313.jpg\" alt=\"North Lafayette Mountain\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_5310C9.jpg\" alt=\"Distant Shining Rock\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails-s\/20250615_154029C.jpg\" alt=\"Greenleaf Hut before Mt Lafayette\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><noscript><br \/>\nJavascript not enabled, unable to display slideshow.<\/p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n#splide-major-9, #splide-thumb-9 { display:none; }\n<\/style>\n<details>\n<summary>Click here to display photos of the slideshow<\/summary>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/DSC_5311.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails\/DSC_5311.jpg\" alt=\"Eagle Lake before Franconia Ridge\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Eagle Lake before Franconia Ridge<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/DSC_5308.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails\/DSC_5308.jpg\" alt=\"Mt Lafayette\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Mt Lafayette<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/DSC_5313.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails\/DSC_5313.jpg\" alt=\"North Lafayette Mountain\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>North Lafayette Mountain<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/DSC_5310C9.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails\/DSC_5310C9.jpg\" alt=\"Distant Shining Rock\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Distant Shining Rock<\/p><\/div>\n<p><div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/20250615_154029C.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails\/20250615_154029C.jpg\" alt=\"Greenleaf Hut before Mt Lafayette\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Greenleaf Hut before Mt Lafayette<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<\/details>\n<p><\/noscript><\/p>\n<p>After a short break at Greenleaf Hut, I continued on Old Bridle Path back to the parking lot.<\/p>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-major-10\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/20250615_160051.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails\/20250615_160051.jpg\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/a><\/br>Trail<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/20250615_160212.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails\/20250615_160212.jpg\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/a><\/br>Trail<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/20250615_161532.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails\/20250615_161532.jpg\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/a><\/br>Trail<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/20250615_163313.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails\/20250615_163313.jpg\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/a><\/br>Trail<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/20250615_164305.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails\/20250615_164305.jpg\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/a><\/br>Trail<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-thumb-10\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails-s\/20250615_160051.jpg\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails-s\/20250615_160212.jpg\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails-s\/20250615_161532.jpg\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails-s\/20250615_163313.jpg\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails-s\/20250615_164305.jpg\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><noscript><br \/>\nJavascript not enabled, unable to display slideshow.<\/p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n#splide-major-10, #splide-thumb-10 { display:none; }\n<\/style>\n<details>\n<summary>Click here to display photos of the trail.<\/summary>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/20250615_160051.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails\/20250615_160051.jpg\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Trail<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/20250615_160212.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails\/20250615_160212.jpg\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Trail<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/20250615_161532.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails\/20250615_161532.jpg\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Trail<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/20250615_163313.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails\/20250615_163313.jpg\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Trail<\/p><\/div>\n<p><div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/20250615_164305.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails\/20250615_164305.jpg\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Trail<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<\/details>\n<p><\/noscript><\/p>\n<p>Old Bridle Path initially followed a ridgeline, with a few overlooks along its course. Facing eastward, those overlooks provided a final glimpse of Franconia Ridge, now fully illuminated by the afternoon sunlight, before the trail descended further down the hill. Annoyingly, the overlooks were swarmed with bugs, so I couldn&#8217;t linger there for longer.<\/p>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-major-11\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/DSC_5315.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails\/DSC_5315.jpg\" alt=\"Mount Lincoln\" \/><\/a><\/br>Mount Lincoln<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/20250615_162113.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails\/20250615_162113.jpg\" width=\"89.05%\" alt=\"Franconia Ridge\" \/><\/a><\/br>Franconia Ridge<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/20250615_162158.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails\/20250615_162158.jpg\" width=\"89.05%\" alt=\"Mt Lafayette\" \/><\/a><\/br>Mt Lafayette<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/20250615_162556.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails\/20250615_162556.jpg\" width=\"89.05%\" alt=\"Overlooks along Trail\" \/><\/a><\/br>Overlooks along Trail<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/20250615_162859.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails\/20250615_162859.jpg\" width=\"83.6%\" alt=\"Ridge\" \/><\/a><\/br>Ridge<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Which Old Bridle Path followed.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/DSC_5316.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails\/DSC_5316.jpg\" alt=\"Interstate 93 Winding through Mountains\" \/><\/a><\/br>Interstate 93 Winding through Mountains<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-thumb-11\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_5315.jpg\" alt=\"Mount Lincoln\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails-s\/20250615_162113.jpg\" alt=\"Franconia Ridge\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails-s\/20250615_162158.jpg\" alt=\"Mt Lafayette\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails-s\/20250615_162556.jpg\" alt=\"Overlooks along Trail\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails-s\/20250615_162859.jpg\" alt=\"Ridge\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_5316.jpg\" alt=\"Interstate 93 Winding through Mountains\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><noscript><br \/>\nJavascript not enabled, unable to display slideshow.<\/p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n#splide-major-11, #splide-thumb-11 { display:none; }\n<\/style>\n<details>\n<summary>Click here to display photos from the overlooks along Old Bridle Path.<\/summary>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/DSC_5315.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails\/DSC_5315.jpg\" alt=\"Mount Lincoln\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Mount Lincoln<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/20250615_162113.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails\/20250615_162113.jpg\" alt=\"Franconia Ridge\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Franconia Ridge<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/20250615_162158.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails\/20250615_162158.jpg\" alt=\"Mt Lafayette\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Mt Lafayette<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/20250615_162556.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails\/20250615_162556.jpg\" alt=\"Overlooks along Trail\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Overlooks along Trail<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/20250615_162859.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails\/20250615_162859.jpg\" alt=\"Ridge\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Ridge<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Which Old Bridle Path followed.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<p><div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/DSC_5316.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails\/DSC_5316.jpg\" alt=\"Interstate 93 Winding through Mountains\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Interstate 93 Winding through Mountains<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<\/details>\n<p><\/noscript><\/p>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/DSC_5318_DSC_5327-10.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails\/DSC_5318_DSC_5327-10.jpg\" alt=\"Franconia Ridge from Old Bridle Path\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Franconia Ridge from Old Bridle Path<\/p><\/div>\n<p>After that, the trail continued its downward course in the woods. I was surprised to find sections of it were improved with rock stairs (p1 below), a novelty for trails in the US. Unfortunately, these improved sections alternated with stretches of muddy trail, diminishing the overall enjoyment.<\/p>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-major-12\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/20250615_165552.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails\/20250615_165552.jpg\" alt=\"Improved Trail\" \/><\/a><\/br>Improved Trail<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/20250615_170345.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails\/20250615_170345.jpg\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/a><\/br>Trail<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/20250615_170804.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails\/20250615_170804.jpg\" width=\"96.4%\" alt=\"Muddy Trail\" \/><\/a><\/br>Muddy Trail<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">The muddiest section along Old Bridle Path.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/20250615_171240.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails\/20250615_171240.jpg\" width=\"96.4%\" alt=\"Muddy Trail\" \/><\/a><\/br>Muddy Trail<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">The muddiest section along Old Bridle Path.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/20250615_172111.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails\/20250615_172111.jpg\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/a><\/br>Trail<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-thumb-12\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails-s\/20250615_165552.jpg\" alt=\"Improved Trail\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails-s\/20250615_170345.jpg\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails-s\/20250615_170804.jpg\" alt=\"Muddy Trail\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails-s\/20250615_171240.jpg\" alt=\"Muddy Trail\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails-s\/20250615_172111.jpg\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><noscript><br \/>\nJavascript not enabled, unable to display slideshow.<\/p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n#splide-major-12, #splide-thumb-12 { display:none; }\n<\/style>\n<details>\n<summary>Click here to display photos of the slideshow<\/summary>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/20250615_165552.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails\/20250615_165552.jpg\" alt=\"Improved Trail\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Improved Trail<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/20250615_170345.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails\/20250615_170345.jpg\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Trail<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/20250615_170804.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails\/20250615_170804.jpg\" alt=\"Muddy Trail\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Muddy Trail<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">The muddiest section along Old Bridle Path.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/20250615_171240.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails\/20250615_171240.jpg\" alt=\"Muddy Trail\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Muddy Trail<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">The muddiest section along Old Bridle Path.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<p><div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/20250615_172111.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2025\/06\/15\/thumbnails\/20250615_172111.jpg\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Trail<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<\/details>\n<p><\/noscript><\/p>\n<p>In the end, I made it back to the parking lot at 5:30pm, concluding the hike in 7.5 hours (with about 6 hours and 10 minutes of moving time).<br \/>\nEND<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Mid-June 2025, I headed out to hike Franconia Ridge Loop, arguably New Hampshire\u2019s most iconic trail in the White Mountains.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[427,2],"tags":[649],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9828"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9828"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9828\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":9885,"href":"https:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9828\/revisions\/9885"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9828"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=9828"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=9828"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}