| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Avalon, Mt. Field, Mt. Tom, NH |
|
 | Trails: |
Avalon Trail, Willey Range Trail, A-Z Trail, Mt. Tom Spur |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Thursday, December 26, 2024 |
|
 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
No issue parking on the side of 302. |
|
 | Surface Conditions: |
Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Snow - Unpacked Powder |
|
 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes |
|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
All are bridges. |
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
With the exception of the lower part of Avalon (below the A-Z junction), every trail has at least one massive blowdown affecting the trail. Willey Range was probably the worst of the three. |
|
 | Dog-Related Notes: |
N/A |
|
 | Bugs: |
N/A |
|
 | Lost and Found: |
N/A |
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|
 | Comments: |
Today was the traction equivalent of bringing a knife to a gunfight.
Of the 10 people I passed on trail today (including me), I was the only one who even brought snowshoes, let alone wore them. The bottom of Avalon (up to the last water crossing) is really the only section of the loop you could try to get away with with just spikes. The top of Avalon, all of Willey Range, the Mount Tom Spur, and A-Z are waaaaayyyy too soft for anything other than snowshoes.
Unfortunately, 5 of the people I passed were behind me, and 4 others went the opposite direction. So the only trails that might be in halfway decent shape are Mount Tom Spur and A-Z (assuming the 3 people I saw on my descent only went to Avalon). Otherwise, expect the trails to be littered with softball-sized divots. The only saving grace is that the snow is so soft, that the track can be repaired with a bunch of snowshoe love. Hopefully that happens before the incoming thaw/rain/freeze.
There was one set of tracks heading out to Willey. No tracks on A-Z towards Zealand. |
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 | Name: |
Chef |
|
 | E-Mail: |
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| Date Submitted: |
2024-12-26 |
|
 | 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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