| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Field, Mt. Willey, Mt. Tom, NH |
|
 | Trails: |
Avalon Trail, Willey Range Trail, A-Z Trail, Mt. Tom Spur |
|
 | Date of Hike: |
Tuesday, December 26, 2023 |
|
 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
parked in front of the picnic area by the depot. Plenty of room along the highway |
|
 | Surface Conditions: |
Snow - Trace/Minimal Depth, Wet Trail, Ice - Blue, Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Wet/Slippery Rock, Ice - Breakable Crust, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Snow/Ice - Frozen Granular, Leaves - Significant/Slippery, Snow/Ice - Small Patches |
|
 | Recommended Equipment: |
Light Traction |
|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
All crossable without much difficulty. The first one required stepping on collasped ice chunks and icy logs. Trekking poles were helpful. |
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
multiple stepover fallen trees |
|
 | Dog-Related Notes: |
met 2 on trail. Both doing fine |
|
 | Bugs: |
|
|
 | Lost and Found: |
|
|
|
|
|
 | Comments: |
This was out 6th hike of TFW and it was prime for the taking considering the resent rain storm and warm temperatures. The trail was a mix of bare ground, patchy ice, ice flows, oddly eroded ice and packed snow with loose granular. We donned our rock spikes at the first crossing and kept them on for the remaining hike. We opted to go clockwise, up Avalon to Field, out to Willey, back to Field, over to Tom and back down. We found that going up the steep ascent to Avalon was easier in tackling the icy spots rather than coming down that way. Willey Range from Field to Willey was in great shape. Mostly a firm snowpack with occasional ice. The worst section was the stretch from Field to AZ. The recent rain eroded the snowpack and left it in odd shapes and lots of holes that required more precise footing. Keep in mind that many sections of the trails have been undermined below the snowpack. We didn't have much issue with punching through but it could happen if the warming trend continues. Overall, it was a great weather day to tag these 3 4ks for the grid. |
|
 | Name: |
Diane Stuart |
|
 | E-Mail: |
stucroftfarm@gmail.com |
|
| Date Submitted: |
2023-12-26 |
|
 | Link: |
 https:// |
|
|
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. |
|
