| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Avalon, Mt. Willard, NH |
|
 | Trails: |
Avalon Trail, Mt. Avalon Spur, Mt. Willard Trail |
|
 | Date of Hike: |
Tuesday, January 23, 2024 |
|
 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Plowed roadside parking in front of Crawford Depot. |
|
 | Surface Conditions: |
Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular |
|
 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes, Light Traction |
|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Two of the three crossings on this route were open but easily crossed. |
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Mt. Avalon Spur has a duckunder. Avalon Trail has two duckunders below the Avalon summit. A couple of widowmakers on both Avalon and Mt. Willard trails. |
|
 | Dog-Related Notes: |
|
|
 | Bugs: |
|
|
 | Lost and Found: |
|
|
|
|
|
 | Comments: |
Mt. Avalon with a side of Mt. Willard today. The original plan was to loop over Field and Tom, but I only went as far as Avalon as it was a bit cold and windy closer to the ridge.
All of these trails are glorious snowshoe tracks at the moment. I suppose if you are light on your feet they would be ok in spikes but I wore snowshoes round-trip for the better traction and heel lifts on the steeps, the ability to safely step off trail for passing hikers, and to keep things in good shape. Plus I just love my TSLs. :) There are some older postholes off to the sides but they aren't an issue if you stay on the track. Honestly, the best parts of the hike were the descents off the summits thanks to the excellent conditions. Smooth sailing all the way down.
No views on Avalon but Willard was below the cloud ceiling and still had some looks down the notch.
Side note: When I got up to the top of Willard there was some sort of wedding photography session going on. The bride and groom, in a dress and suit respectively, said they were freezing and they were visibly shivering. They appeared to have little gear with them. IMO, this seems like an especially irresponsible thing to be doing considering someone just died from the cold in the whites. Hope they all got down okay.
Other items: Cascade Loop was lightly broken out from the bottom but not the top. The abandoned spur path to Hitchcock Flume had been traveled. |
|
 | Name: |
KenM |
|
 | E-Mail: |
kmacgray@gmail.com |
|
| Date Submitted: |
2024-01-23 |
|
 | 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. |
|
