| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Tom, NH |
|
 | Trails: |
Avalon Trail, A-Z Trail, Mt. Tom Spur |
|
 | Date of Hike: |
Sunday, January 10, 2021 |
|
 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Lots of cars in the notch around 2pm including many parked along the road but I was still able to park very close to the trailhead :) |
|
 | Surface Conditions: |
Ice - Black, Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular |
|
 | Recommended Equipment: |
Light Traction |
|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
The crossings aren’t totally ice bridged but are at least more so than last I was here. They were all still easy to cross. |
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
I don’t recall the blazing on these trails but they were all well packed and thus easy to follow. I imagine that even in deeper powder these trails are pretty easy to find your way in. The only blowdown I recall is a large one on the Mt Tom Spur that was also there last time I hiked this. The packed path just detours around it. Not sure if this was already an established herd path before the snow came or not. |
|
 | Dog-Related Notes: |
At least one seen unleashed but well behaved. This would be a fine hike for most hiking dogs. |
|
 | Bugs: |
None |
|
 | Lost and Found: |
None |
|
|
|
|
 | Comments: |
A quick out-and-back to Mt Tom after Isolation. This was my 14th 4000 footer this month and my 24th total for my January grid. Did the hike in 2hr18min which I was very pleased with :)
I wore spikes the entire time which was definitely the right call. No need for snowshoes until the next big snow (Friday night) and certainly not enough ice to warrant crampons (although you may not want dull spikes although I got by fine with mine). Saw lots of other people out. Unfortunately some were butt sliding and sledding which led to parts of A-Z Trail being rather slick. Of course things were still powdery and thus they weren’t that bad but the trail could became a luge if we had thaw-freeze weather. Much colder in Crawford Notch (mid 20s at 2:15pm) than at the Rocky Branch trailhead (33F at 1:30pm). |
|
 | Name: |
Liam Cooney |
|
 | E-Mail: |
liamcooney96@gmail.com |
|
| Date Submitted: |
2021-01-13 |
|
 | 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. |
|
