On October 11, 2020 I completed my first two official 4000 footers since starting on the quest to complete all 48. I had hiked Mt Monadnock 5 times leading up and had done a tremendous amount of research into the hike. I had been hiking Mt Monadnock all my life and few 4ks spread out over many years. I left home at about 3:30am and headed for Franconia Notch.
I arrived at the Old Bridal Path trail head at 5:45am dressed in several layers. The temperature at the trail head was about 20 degrees with an anticipated high at elevation of 20 degrees with 50 mph winds. Most recommendations and research suggested ascending Falling Waters Trail to Franconia Ridge Trail to Greenleaf Trail to Old Bridle Path Trail. Who was I to question this wisdom? Off I went.
The ascent up Falling Waters Trail was very gradual and fast paced to start. A couple brook crossings but nothing very challenging. This quickly changed though. The brook widened, the boulders grew into ledges and the trail went vertical. I did manage to not get my boots soaked on the various crossings but did need to use my poles to accomplish this.
The reward for enduring the steep falling waters trail was a peak over the summit of Little Haystack Mountain. Little Haystack is 4.760 feet tall yet not on the list of NH 4000 footers. This is because to be qualified as a 4000 Footer and be on the official ‘list’, a mountain must have 200 feet of prominence as compared to the terrain around it. Little Haystack has a relatively flat traverse northward to my Lincoln so it does not stand out as a peak. The images below are of the final push to the top of Little Haystack and then the view of Mt Lincoln just over the ridgeline.
Approach to summit of Little Haystack 
Peeking over Little Haystack summit ridge at Lincoln
There was a consistent breeze all the way up Falling Waters. I had removed a layer on the way up, it was quite a workout and I was getting hot. As I approached the Little Haystack summit, I could hear the wind intensity. When I stepped above tree line, it hit me. The wind took my breath away. I found some shelter in the lee of some rocks on the southern side of the summit. I took my pack off, located a wind breaker, warm gloves, my hat and a granola bar. In the time I had my gloves off to locate things and eat, my finger tips had gotten so cold they started to hurt. The air temp was about 20 with wind sustained at 35 and gusting to 45 or 50. This combination put the wind chill at about 0 degrees. I bundled up, put my pack back on and stepped back out onto the ridge. Into the wind.
The view ahead of Mt Lincoln was nothing short of mesmerizing. I had seem many photos and read many accounts but nothing can prepare you for this. Its amazing, beautiful, inspiring.
The hike from Little Haystack to Mt Lincoln is about a mile and moderately steep. The views around you take you mind of the walk. Once atop Mt Lincoln at 5,089 feet you get a glimpse of Mt Lafayette.
Its about a mile from Mt Lincoln to the top of Mt Lafayette. The col between the two mountains provided some relief from the winds blasting me on Lincoln and Little Haystack. Some sun actually warmed me up on the way to Lafayette and I found a warm rock to rest on. The hike up Lafayette is steeper and much more demanding that Lincoln. Once on top of 5,249 foot Mt Lafayette I was bombarded by winds that were now sustained at around 45 mph. I took a few pictures and decided to head toward tree line on the northeast side of Lafayette. The descent to tree line was very icy. Not icy enough to demand micro spikes but icy enough to use extreme caution. Even being careful I fell a few times. This portion of the hike is 100% exposed to the wind.
Once below tree line the winds were reduced to a reasonable level and it felt much warmer. I again was able to remove a layer and make my way down to Greenleaf Hut, the junction of Greenleaf and Old Bridle Path Trails. This are provides a great view back up the ridge I had just traversed.
From Greenleaf Hut 
Franconia Ridge in the back ground 
Greenleaf Hut
The descent down the Old Bridle Path was very steep and precarious in several spots. Very hard on my knees. After about 6 hours and about 9 miles, I arrived back at the Old Bridle Path Trailhead.
Mountain Mike 