Hiked the Hancock Loop on February 10, 2024 in the White Mountains. Started with bare boots on a frozen, slippery trail before switching to snowshoes; encountered mist from melting snow on the ridge with warm temperatures around 57°F by day's end.
On February 5, 2024, hikers completed a loop of the Osceolas via Greeley Pond and Mount Osceola trails, using snowshoes and spikes. East Osceola's steep section was slippery from previous day's slides; the chimney section and ridge descent required traction devices on hard-packed snow. Wind on the ridge was manageable and summit views of Waterville Valley were clear.
Two hikers ascended Cannon via Kinsman Ridge Trail from the ski area and traversed to the Kinsmans in early February. Trail conditions were mostly well-packed with some snow, scattered spruce blowdown across the trail, exposure near Cannon's summit, and windy conditions.
Three hikers completed a winter ascent of Carrigain via Sawyer River Road on February 3, 2024. Lower elevations had packed snow suitable for bare-booting, while higher sections required snowshoes. Wind on the exposed ridge was stronger than forecast, but generally pleasant conditions with sun and minimal wind below treeline on descent.</summary>
<parameter name="confidence">High
Three hikers completed a ridge traverse of six White Mountains peaks on January 20, breaking trail on the Carter-Moriah trail connector which had not been used in several weeks. Winter conditions included new snow over recent tracks, drifts, and extreme cold with forecasted windchills around -15 to -20°F.
Three inches of fresh snow on the ground with snow continuing throughout the hike on Garfield. Trail conditions involved bare-booting initially with microspikes added before the summit push; snow depth maxed around six inches with isolated drifts exceeding one foot. Summit was whiteout with no visibility.
Hikers visited Richmond Mountain on November 18, 2023, finding wet conditions after recent rain and navigating old roads to reach a short, steep bushwhack summit approach. The summit was socked in with fog and brief snow flurries during the descent.
A weekend backpacking trip to Lower Wolfjaw, Upper Wolfjaw, and Armstrong via Johns Brook Lodge, with snow patches and scrambling sections at higher elevations and typical muddy, rooty Adirondack trail conditions lower down. The party encountered mixed weather including rain overnight and afternoon clouds, with good summit views from Armstrong.
Easter week 2023 hiking trip in the Catskills featuring Pratt Rock, Windham, and Thomas Cole mountains. Conditions were generally dry with some residual snow and ice at higher elevations; trails were well-worn but not requiring microspikes.
A winter hike of four Catskill peaks from Denning Road on March 10, 2023. The party used microspikes below 3500 feet and snowshoes above, with temperatures in the 20s-30s and light wind until afternoon snow began around 3 PM, depositing 3-4 inches by day's end.
Hikers summited Old Speck via Grafton Notch State Park on March 8, 2023, finding fairly well-packed trail with steep initial climbing and some trail-breaking needed. Near the summit, an exposed section with deep snow drifts was encountered; the summit was cloud-covered with no views.
A winter traverse of Sugarloaf, Spaulding, and Abraham in Maine on March 7, 2023, with unbroken trail most of the ridge and significant trail-breaking required above treeline. Recent snowfall (nearly 3 feet in 7 days) left the route largely untracked except for scattered evidence of prior hikers, though some broken trail appeared on the Fire Warden's descent. The 16-mile traverse took 12 hours with cloud coverage and wind on the exposed ridge.
Three hikers completed the Bigelows (West Peak and Avery Peak) in Maine on March 6, 2023, in winter conditions with a broken trail and varying wind exposure. Above treeline on Avery Peak they encountered strong winds but managed well on grippy snow with snowshoes. Some new blowdowns appeared on the return AT section.
A March 5, 2023 trip to the Crockers and Reddington in Maine involving bushwhacking, trail breaking through fluffy snow, and navigating dense spruce forest with minimal recent trail trace.
A group hiked Saddleback and The Horn in New Hampshire on March 4, 2023, encountering about six inches of fresh snow at the trailhead and deep snow along the ridge. Strong winds at the ski area subsided during the return, but limited visibility persisted throughout the day. The hike proved more challenging than expected despite being marketed as easy.
Hiker ascended Owls Head via Lincoln Woods Trail, Black Pond, Lincoln Brook Trail, and the steep Brutus bushwhack route on a cold day with persistent snowfall. Ridge and summit views were limited due to snow and clouds, and the Lincoln Brook section felt longer than expected.
Early morning hike to Waumbek via Mount Starr King on February 12, 2023, with good visibility through hardwoods. Snow-covered spruce near the summit, with Presidentials in clouds but views south to Bretton Woods and west to Franconia Ridge.
On February 11, 2023, the author hiked a 9.2-mile loop from Roaring Kill to Plateau and Sugarloaf. The route featured packed snow and significant hard ice sections, particularly on the steep western side of Sugarloaf, requiring microspikes or crampons for safe passage. Conditions were challenging but manageable with proper equipment and good snow traction.
Hiker completed a winter ascent of Camel's Hump in Vermont in very cold conditions (-21F at trailhead), encountering excellent snow and ice conditions on the Burrows Trail with snowshoe-friendly terrain. Wind was generally calm through the deciduous and conifer forest sections, with brief exposure near the summit; cold temperatures limited summit time.
Hikers completed a round trip of West Kill via Spruceton on a Sunday in early winter with 12-18 inches of snow, using snowshoes and breaking trail efficiently. The report also mentions a companion's solo trek on Saturday to Black Dome where trail conditions were more challenging with greater snow depths.
Two hikers completed a bushwhack ascent of Olderbark followed by a ridge traverse to Plateau on November 19, 2022. The upper elevation showed crusty snow and very steep terrain with a cliff band, while the descent involved rocky and wet trail conditions at lower elevations.
A steep bushwhack ascent of Samuels Point above the Ashokan Reservoir with abandoned forest roads, dense vegetation, and scrambling terrain. The author completed it in October 2022 on a perfect hiking day and previously turned back in November 2021 due to snow and ice on uneven terrain.
Three hikers completed the Rider Hollow Loop for Balsam on a sunny day after 8–10" of fresh snow, breaking trail above the junction and enjoying plunge-stepping and glissading on the descent through wind-packed drifts and deeper powder.
Trip to Baxter State Park in Maine (Feb 27 - Mar 2, 2022) beginning with ski/hiking approach from Abol Bridge to Kidney Pond. Group packed trail and narrow route around Foss and Knowlton Pond; had to extend hike via park roads due to Nesowadnehunk Stream not being completely frozen. Weather forecast led to plan adjustments for Katahdin and North Brother summits.
Hiker and companion attempted Balsam Mountain via Lost Clove route on a Saturday evening with 4 inches of fresh snow and 30-inch snowshoes. Companion became ill partway up the trail, so they turned around at the Red Trail junction near the former fire tower site after about 3 hours of hiking, returning to the car by 7 p.m.
A group of 10 hikers ascended Round Mountain and Kaaterskill High Peak on February 26, 2022, following recent snowfall of 6-8 inches. Snowshoes were required throughout, and icy conditions on the descent required web assistance in one sketchy spot; previous warmups had largely melted the earlier snowpack.
Hiker planning a winter ascent of Plateau from Mink Hollow Road with expected snow conditions, carrying microspikes and snowshoes for winter 3500 peak #33.
Winter hiking guide for the safest route to Sugarloaf Mountain via Dibbles Quarry and Pecoy Notch from Roaring Kill trailhead. Microspikes required minimally; snowshoes recommended in deeper snow. Author attempted the route in February 2022 and had to turn back at 3200' due to deteriorating weather before returning two weeks later on better conditions.
Three hikers completed a strenuous out-and-back hike on the Blackhead Range from Barnum Road in snowy conditions. The trail was hard-packed with powder on top and heavily pockmarked with post holes and boot divots, particularly between Barnum Road and Camels Hump, though conditions improved between Thomas Cole and Black Dome. They used microspikes throughout and carried snowshoes, completing the hike in 6.5 hours in 10°F weather.
A winter hike of nine Catskill peaks on January 26, 2022, in very cold conditions (-10 to -15°F). The hiker used snowshoes and found good trail conditions on Slide but faced challenging navigation through thick evergreens; later sections had mixed snowshoe coverage and required significant trail-breaking, particularly in the descent off Table toward Denning.
This is a challenging 6.5-mile bushwhack thru-hike over North Dome and Mount Sherrill that requires advanced navigation skills and solid off-trail experience. The route features steep ledges on North Dome's eastern side, dense evergreen forest, and (as of an April visit) significant ice, snow, and icicle formations requiring microspikes.
Route guide for Eagle Mountain via Seager trailhead featuring Dry Brook, with emphasis on navigational challenges and multiple tricky stream crossings. Hike was completed in late December 2020 during icy conditions with snow cover and microspike use.
A detailed evergreen route guide for Mill Brook Ridge via Kelly Hollow, describing the easy trail through Kelly Hollow paired with a steep bushwhack ascent to the summit, plus observations from a winter hike with snow and cold conditions (14°F).
A winter traverse of Lafayette and Lincoln in the White Mountains with strong winds and below-zero wind chills. The hikers traveled north-to-south on Old Bridal Path and Falling Waters Trail, encountering packed snow, corn snow, and icy conditions requiring microspikes.
Kelly Hollow Loop is a beautiful, easy evergreen trail description in the Catskills featuring Norway Spruce plantations, a lean-to, beaver pond, and footbridges. Winter conditions noted include snow, rime ice, and the need for microspikes on steeper descent sections.
A detailed route guide for the Plateau via Daley Ridge trail in the Catskills, describing the terrain as exceptionally well-designed with rocky footing, boulder scrambles, and dense forest. The author's recent winter ascent involved pristine snow conditions with no prior tracks, taking 8 hours due to tricky footing and fresh snow breaking, despite moderate grades.</summary>
<parameter name="confidence">Medium
First-person account of a challenging loop hike in April over North Dome and Sherrill involving significant bushwhacking through snow, steep ledges with hard ice, and difficult stream crossings. The route included multiple scrambling sections with ledge systems and required navigation through thick brush between peaks.
Route guide for the Biscuit Brook approach to Big Indian and Fir, a long lollipop hike combining trailed and bushwhack sections with stream crossings and a winter bushwhack traverse via the Catskill Divide. The author reflects on how experience level affects perceived difficulty, noting shin-deep snow on their first attempt.
First-time bushwhack up Rusk Mountain in December with steep terrain, deciduous woods below summit, and snow-laden evergreens near the peak. The descent route via East Rusk offers a gentler alternative on a less steep ridge line.