Flume and Liberty

Total trip duration: 5:55:22
Distance: 10.1 miles
Hikers: Vance and Quinn
4000 footer completion count: Flume #1 (4,328 feet),  Liberty #2 (4,459 feet)



We really lucked out on the first day of our journey toward completing the 48 4000 footers.  For a Saturday in August there were very few people out on the trails.  The weather forecast all week indicated rain for Saturday and I think many hikers may have pushed out their plans to Sunday.

We parked at the Liberty Spring hikers lot which is just north of the Flume Visitor Center.  It was mostly cloudy and cool as we started the hike.

Our trail route was Pemi > Whitehouse > Flume Slide > Liberty Spring.







The Flume Slide trail was really amazing.  Before it gets steep, the trail is very easy going (it would be excellent for trail running).  With recent heavy rain, the trails were quite wet; when the trail got steep and you had to scramble up the rocks, it was quite slick in spots.  The top of the Flume Slide trail is quite an exciting climb and Quinn and I really enjoyed it.

It was cloudy when we reached Mount Flume's peak but there were still some great views to be had.  Quinn was so excited when we reached the top.  Another hiker came over from Liberty shortly after we arrived and took our picture for us.












When we reached the top of  Mount Liberty, the skies opened up and the sun came out.  We exchanged some picture taking with another dad and son and hung out for a while chatting and enjoying the views all around.

We headed down the Liberty Spring trail.  It was somewhat steep and rocky for most of the way down.  We both preferred coming up the Flume Slide to the trip down Liberty Spring.









When we reached the Pemigewasset River we both took a refreshing dip.  The current was powerful and the water was pretty cold but it felt great on the legs after hours of hiking.

Upon reaching the parking lot we let out some primal screams and shared some high fives and fist bumps.  What a great way to kickoff our journey!

Here's Quinn's write-up on the trip:

My dad and I went on our first 4000 footer hiking trip this past weekend.  Our first hike was the Flume. Along the way we saw a lot of mushrooms and crossed many streams.  My feet got a little wet.  At the top it was very steep and wet.  We ate lunch when we reached the top.  We talked to a couple of other hikers.  Then we got onto the trail to head up Mt. Liberty.

Mt. Liberty was easier to hike up than the Flume because it was not as steep and rocky.  Once we reached the top we met some more hikers and took a break.  

On the way down, my legs turned to jelly!  We took a swim in the ice cold water at the bottom and that really woke my legs up!  My dad and I held hands for a little while before we got to the parking lot.  We said "we did it!" at the trailhead sign.  I'd like to continue this ritual for the next 46 hikes.

We had a great time!  I'm looking forward to doing more 4000 footers with my dad!