Bondcliff – October 10, 2003
With the forecast mixed for the weekend, we decided to take Friday off to finish our goal of the NH Four Thousand Footers. We packed the trailer and headed north Thursday after work, calling for a campsite as we drove. As it was Columbus Day weekend it took a few calls before we secured a place in Campton, NH.
Friday morning we arrived the Lincoln Woods parking lot at 6:45 and were underway by 7. Having hiked Owl’s Head two weeks prior via the Wilderness trail we decided to head out on the East Branch trail and make this a longer hike. As we passed the new campsite we saw a lone person who waved as we went by. The view of the river as we hiked along it was wonderful, especially with the sun rising over the mountains.
We paused to take some pictures as we crossed the suspension bridge.
The bright colors of the leafs as we looked down the valley were breath taking. After crossing we headed to the Bondcliff trail where we saw three other hikers with full packs who were headed to the Guyot tent site.
As we came to a slide area and clearing we could look up and see our goal - the peak of #48!! Across the river and up we went. As we got closer we started getting more excited – this was it! Just over 4 hours from leaving the parking lot we came to the final steep rock section – up and over and we were there! We met another couple and their dog as we approached the summit and chatted for a while before moving off to the cliff area.
Off came the packs and out came the champagne and glasses! We have done it!!
We spend a little over an hour on the summit enjoying the view, great weather, still not quite believing that we have completed our goal – and best of all – it’s Friday and we’re not working.
As we begin our return trip we take one look back – we will be back again.
We meet up with the 3 hikers we met earlier as we drop into the trees and 2 others who caught up with them. Heading down the trail we meet several others – some in pairs, others by themselves, most looking like they are also doing a day hike.
The return trip is faster and soon we are back to the Wilderness trail. Although tired we press on as we want to check out Franconia Falls.
Once there we spent 30 minutes relaxing and cooling our feet in the ice cold water.
After drying off and putting on fresh socks, we head out for the final leg. We move fast and only see another few people on the last few miles.
Just after 4 PM, 9:15 hours after we started we reached the bridge and cross back to the Lincoln Woods parking lot. We have covered 20 miles and summated our 48th peak. Just like the television commercial where a man discovers his cholesterol is lower, we want to tell the world. Our legs are tired, but our spirits are riding high. We’re finished this goal, but have others we are already working on - the New England 4000 footers and the top 100. The goal is what drives us, but it is the wonder and beauty of the outdoors that we most appreciate.
Go to our Hiking page to see all the mountains we have climbed.