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.
Three hikers completed a straightforward ascent of Plateau via the Route 214 approach on a partly sunny, windy day. They used microspikes throughout and avoided snowshoes, enjoying a simple but solid outing with views from the middle viewpoint.
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.
Three hikers ascended Cabot on February 25, 2023, encountering broken trail and soft snow from recent accumulation. Views were limited due to incoming clouds and snow, though they briefly enjoyed views toward Maine and the Mahoosuc Range from near the summit.</summary>
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Hiked Bearpen and Vly on February 18, 2023, encountering patchy ice and hard ice layers from refrozen melt. Microspikes were necessary, especially on Vly where hard ice made it difficult to get good traction, though the hike was completed without incident.
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.
Three hikers summited North Twin, South Twin, and Galehead in the White Mountains on February 11, 2023 using snowshoes. They encountered cold and windy conditions near the summits with views of the Presidentials and 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 clockwise loop hike on October 9, 2022 through Rusk, East Rusk, Hunter, and Southwest Hunter via herd paths and marked trails. Conditions were mostly dry with two muddy spots on the Devil's Path; the spring below John Robb lean-to was flowing heavily.
A hiker completes the Catskill 3500 grid (all 35 peaks four times) on August 21, 2022, culminating on Kaaterskill High Peak with friends. The post reflects on a seven-year journey of responsible stewardship, trail maintenance, and deepening appreciation for the Catskills, emphasizing conservation and community over competitive speed.</summary>
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Solo counterclockwise loop of the Catskill 9 completed in 12 hours 15 minutes covering approximately 20.5 miles and 6,500 feet of elevation gain. Conditions were mist and clouds with occasional drizzle and some wet terrain; hiker reported good herdpath usage and manageable bushwhacking between peaks.
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.
Hiker encountered solid ice on the herd path and off-trail sections while climbing Vly, discovering that heavy trail usage creates packed paths even without cars at the trailhead. Spikes would have been essential; snowshoes were unnecessary and the hiker nearly slid down during descent.
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.
Two hikers traversed Big Indian and Fir via Biscuit Brook on a cold winter day with rock-hard icy trail conditions and light powder at higher elevations. They used microspikes throughout and carried snowshoes and skis that went unused, navigating a herd path between summits.
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.
Solo hike on November 7, 2021 from Woodland Valley Campground attempting to climb Slide Mountain's northeast face via bushwhack. Reporter successfully summited Slide, Cornell, and Wittenberg but did not complete the slide ascent itself; found steep terrain, loose rocks, and some ice in shaded areas, particularly on descent.
Trip report of a hike to Waumbek in New Hampshire on October 11, 2021, with excellent fall foliage, clear weather, and good views of the Presidential Range (mostly cloud-covered summits). The hike was straightforward with no significant hazards and included a memorable encounter with Gray Jays.
Hiker completed the Pemi Loop (Flume, Liberty, Lafayette, Lincoln, and the Bond range) over two days starting Saturday, requiring an unplanned overnight stay at Galehead Hut due to fatigue. The following Tuesday, hiker summited Waumbek for their 115th White Mountain peak, though knee fatigue from the Pemi Loop affected the experience.
Hiker climbed Hunter Mountain from Becker Hollow, encountering steep terrain with slick, loose rock but manageable conditions. The route to the firetower was shorter and more moderate; the scenic lookout route was longer, steeper, and sketchier with minimal views.
Two hikers started from Barnum Road at 5:45 PM on a Friday evening to climb Thomas Cole and Black Dome for a sunset hike. They reached Black Dome in time for sunset but chose to skip Blackhead and returned to their car at 11:05 PM after spending an hour on the ledge.
Hiker completed Red Hill and Overlook in the Catskills, with the main event being an unexpected encounter with a mama bear and four cubs on the Dry Brook trailhead to Balsam Lake, which prompted early retreat from that hike. Overlook was hiked successfully with views of summit ruins and tower.
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.
Solo completion of the Northeast 115 peakbagging challenge on Mount Moosilauke via the Gorge Trail, staying at Moosilauke Ravine Lodge. The hiker encountered initially cloudy conditions with views socked in until the afternoon when clouds lifted, revealing views of Washington, the Franconia Ridge, and Vermont peaks.
Hiker completed Cabot and Waumbek on Saturday (arriving at summit after dark with headlamps) and Cannon on Sunday, bringing them close to finishing the White Mountains 48. Ice was starting to form on exposed rock but not yet comprehensive; tourists and other hikers were active on all peaks despite challenging conditions.