Trail Conditions
Dry Trail
Equipment
Microspikes
Notes
Weather was excellent. Spring conditions evident on the mountains.
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Trail Reports(3)
Trails Used
Lowe's Path
Trail Conditions
Snow - Packed Powder
Equipment
Snowshoes
Notes
Broke trail for first 3 miles without spikes or snowshoes. Used spikes on final ascent to summit. Stayed at Gray Knob Cabin run by Randolph Mountain Club.
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Also on this trip
Trails Used
Air Line, Gulfside, Osgood Trail, Valley Way
Trail Conditions
Ice - BlackSnow - Trace/Minimal DepthIce - BlueSnow - Packed Powder/Loose GranularIce - Breakable Crust
Equipment
SnowshoesMicrospikes
Notes
It may be spring on paper, but it was still winter on the Northern Presis, especially above 4,000 feet. Below that, there wasn't a whole lot of snow, with about two to three inches of fresh powder from last night. Since I was the first (and possibly the only) one up Air Line today, I did the honors of tracking it out. Parts of Air Line below 4k feet were very icy, with that fresh powder obscuring some prolonged ice flows; crampons were not overkill, and I did indeed switch to them on this section. Similar deal for Valley Way, although the ice wasn't as bad. From 4K feet to treeline, snow depths increased significantly and quickly (3+ feet easily), with stable monorails either starting to form or already formed. Lots of rime ice above treeline, as well as fresh snow hiding ankle-twisting gaps in the rocks; felt like I was playing Minesweeper with my foot and trekking pole placement. No views from Adams due to summit fog, although I did get some views from Madison, including a few really nice undercast views. Although we're now almost to April, I would definitely still carry all the standard winter gear (micros, snowshoes etc.) for a while if attempting any of the 4Ks. After all, you never know with spring shoulder season...
Parking
Only about five or six other vehicles in the Appalachia lot when I started, and a few additional ones when I finished.