Fumbling Around In The Woods: Mt. Liberty (4,459 ft) 9-11-22

Distance: 9.88 mi.
Elevation: 3,010 ft (overall) 3,302 ft (total)
Time: (with an 8 year old setting the pace) 4:57 (Summit) 8:50 (Total)
Trails: Whitehouse Trail, Liberty Spring Trail, Franconia Ridge Trail, Bike Path

This year for Flags on the 48 our group picked Mt. Liberty to hike. The group I hike with includes 4 of the 6 members of the steering committtee, but this year all 6 members would be hiking the same peaks since the group was formed. Hiking with my 8 year old daughter though for her first time attending this event, I headed up the trail before most of the group. I knew with shorter legs and a younger hiker, we wouldn't be making it to the summit as quick as the others.

The first part of the trail goes good with a little bit of up then down getting to the bike path. After walking the bike path briefly we head back onto the hiking trail. Again things went well for the early part of the trail. Probably a bit before the Flume Slide Trail goes to the right we were passed by part of our group. Up near the brook crossing above this, more of our group passed us. Liliana was doing well, but she can't be expected to be as fast as other people who have far more hiking experience.

The last mile or so leading up to the ridge the trail gets pretty steep. This is where Liliana really started to get tired and her pace slowed down. Today was her biggest hike ever though, so it was expected. Before reaching this section I thought we had a chance to be on the summit to help raise the flag, but in the end we missed it by about 30 minutes. Liliana was a trooper though and kept making progress. And once we hit the ridge and things weren't as steep, it was like she got a boost of energy and we made it to the summit quickly.

After staying long enough that we could enjoy the views, rest, and help take down the flag, we packed up and headed down. We made good pace for an 8 year old in the lead. Liliana's feet were hurting some by the time we got down, but we managed to stay near some of the back markers of our group and got the parking lot just ahead of them after hiking on and off with them on the way down.

Liliana did great for her first Flags on the 48 event, even if we did miss the flags being raised on the summit. Depending on which peaks we choose for the next year or two, we might be able to do this again and have Liliana help with the flag raising. Everyone else in the group was glad to have a younger hiker taking part in it and they all thought she did great making it to the summit as well as she did.