NewEnglandTrailConditions.com
NewEnglandTrailConditions.com:
MA
|
ME
|
NH
|
RI/CT
|
VT
|
Ski
Hiking Trail Conditions Report
Peaks
Peaks Mt. Willey, Mt. Field, Mt. Tom, NH
Trails
Trails: Zealand Trail, Ethan Pond Trail, Willey Range Trail, A-Z Trail, Mt. Tom Spur
Date of Hike
Date of Hike: Sunday, October 25, 2020
Parking/Access Road Notes
Parking/Access Road Notes: We found a spot at Zealand at 7:45, but it appeared to have overflowed by the time we returned in the afternoon. 
Surface Conditions
Surface Conditions: Dry Trail, Ice - Black, Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Mud - Significant, Leaves - Significant/Slippery 
Recommended Equipment
Recommended Equipment:  
Water Crossing Notes
Water Crossing Notes: Zealand and A-Z crossings were all rock hoppable at reasonable levels. 
Trail Maintenance Notes
Trail Maintenance Notes: We pulled out some deadfall, but there are blowdowns on Ethan Pond, Willey Range, and A-Z, particularly the latter (including at least one that fell lengthwise down the trail and takes light bushwhacking to get around). 
Dog-Related Notes
Dog-Related Notes:  
Bugs
Bugs:  
Lost and Found
Lost and Found: I recollect a dog leash being left on the Willey Range-Ethan Pond sign. 
 
Comments
Comments: Zealand Trail was generally dry with some muck in the usual places. Ethan Pond Trail was also generally dry.

Willey Range Trail up to Willey was sloppy. Lots of slippery, muddy areas. The upper wood steps had a skim of black ice, as did the tree roots thereafter. Decent views with a nice rime ice on the trees.

Slippery coming off Willey with the black ice, but not as bad ascending Field (in the sun, so the black ice was gone). Very bad unmitigated erosion in places. Also quite brushy (some folks were panicking because there wasn't room to easily step off the trail to "social distance;" fortunately we're outside!).

Slippery and icy coming off Field, but the ice was thin/intermittent, so I never considered spikes). The ascent up Tom wasn't too bad, but that spur and the summit are getting beat up pretty badly from the lack of an obvious summit/viewpoint/trail markings. The environmental impact would be reduced by brushing the official corridor, establishing a formal summit, and maintaining a reasonable viewpoint from it. Instead, there are a bunch of herd paths from confusing turns/possible viewpoints/etc.

A-Z Trail was slippery dropping down the steeps and then there were some areas of mud. Otherwise, fairly smooth sailing. Leaves are mostly down.

Chilly day, but otherwise nice weather. Twice as long as the traditional loop, but a lot of added sights with a lot less crowds.  
Name
Name: rocket21 
E-Mail
E-Mail: rocket21@franklinwebpublishing.com 
Date Submitted
Date Submitted: 2020-10-25 
Link
Link: https://www.franklinsites.com/hikephotos 
Bookmark and Share Disclaimer: Reports are not verified - conditions may vary. Use at own risk. Always be prepared when hiking. Observe all signs. Trail conditions reports are not substitutes for weather reports or common sense.

Copyright 2009-2024, All Rights Reserved