| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Tom, Mt. Field, Mt. Willey, Mt. Avalon, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Avalon Trail, A-Z Trail, Mt. Tom Spur, Willey Range Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Sunday, March 7, 2021 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Parked in small lot at Crawford Depot off US 302. This was icy but manageable. Upon our return there were a plethora of cars in the lot and roadside. No one obstructing traffic. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Snow/Ice - Frozen Granular |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
All snow bridged. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Blazes in good shape on all trails. Some blow downs on Willey Range. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Good trails for dogs. Met 3 tough snow hiking 4 leggers. Avalon is steep for humans. Canines should be fine. |
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 | Bugs: |
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 | Lost and Found: |
Glove on Avalon, left on branch where found. Bacalava on Avalon. Also left on branch near where found. Spike left on trailhead sign for the start of Avalon trail at the Depot. |
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 | Comments: |
Route:
Avalon Trail > A-Z Trail > Mt. Tom Spur > Willey Range Trail to Willey summit and back > Avalon Trail > Avalon Spur > Avalon Trail to end.
Avalon Trail: well blazed in yellow. Packed out super highway trench, all sections. This trail from the junction with A-Z trail is wicked steep. I refuse to ascend it. But descending presents unique friction issues. No matter. I went down it with confidence in my super-awesome-glue-soled-snowshoes. #snowshoe-love. So glad I re-hiked this. I had no idea the views were so amazing.
A-Z Trail: I think this was blazed in yellow. The junction signs are up, legible, and intact. I don’t remember that many blazes. Regardless, it is well packed out. Such a nice ascent alternative to Avalon. Yeah- I’m that hiker. I will walk 2 miles out of my way if it reduces the elevation grade. 👠When you’re my age, you let me know which grades you prefer...
Mt. Tom Spur: not blazed. Junction signs up and in good condition. Well packed out. Surprising views. Huh. Didn’t know the clouds covered so much! 😉
Willey Range Trail: not blazed until after the summit of Mt. Field. Signs up at all intersections, in great shape. Thereafter, at least to the summit of Mt. Willey, well blazed in blue with turns double blazed. Well packed out snow sidewalk. Most excellent views of Crawford Notch and the peaks of the Montalban (Presidential) Range today. Minimal drifting in the semi-exposed areas.
Avalon Spur: signed, not blazed. But it’s a scramble 100 yards up to a phenomenal view of the Presidentials. Please don’t bypass this little peak. The view is sooooo worth it!
Met some great, friendly hikers on these trails. My most favorite was the older fella in snowshoes who followed us from Tom to Willey. Then there was the other older fella with a knitted dog beanie that matched his super awesome Huskie. I loved that hat! One dude was feeding the Jays. Man, watch out for the gumbo fueled bird guano! Ha! That’s gotta melt some snow! Lastly there were two younger fellas attacking the steeps of the Avalon Trail. Maybe they pushed onto Mt. Willey. I mean, it’s about a 40-50 minute hike. Why not?!?
Of note, I still encourage snowshoe use, even if the trail is frozen solid. They weigh less on the feet than on the pack. Plus EVERYONE can hear you coming and you can simply step off trail to address any need (micturition, ascending folk wanting to keep momentum and go by, etc). But, there were no postholes on trail.
I’m so glad I came back to these trails on a clear day. I never realized I had missed such nice views! |
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 | Name: |
Remington34 |
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 | E-Mail: |
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| Date Submitted: |
2021-03-07 |
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 | Link: |
 https:// |
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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. |
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