Mount Tecumseh

Also on this trip

Trails Used

Pipeline XC Trail, Mt Tecumseh Trail, Sosman Trail, Livermore Road, Scaur Trail, Pine Bend Trail, Mt Tripyramid Trail

Trail Conditions

Equipment

Notes

A mix of conditions all day. Mt Tecumseh started out mostly bare ground and wet. Above freezing last night and all day, so rocks were not icy. Solid snow in the morning with no post-holing all the way to the summit. A little ice near the summit and by the ski trail viewpoint. Next, went up Livermore Rd which had a thin base of slushy snow with open patches of bare ground. Bare boot or rock spikes fine here. Ungroomed section had some deeper snow but not worth bringing snowshoes for. Completely bare ground at turnoff to Scaur Tr and up about a quarter mile. Patches of snow and ice further up. Then supportive and unsupportive snow up to Pine Bend and the summits. The most unstable area was between the Tripyramid peaks. Post-holed a few times. Tricky ice sections in places. Snow was more unstable on the way down, which should be expected until a solid freeze next week. Long day out but weather was pleasantly warm for early April.

Parking

Parked at Livermore Rd Trailhead. WMFS parking fee or pass.

Water Crossings

Rock hopping

Wildlife

none yet

Trails Used

Mt. Tecumseh Trail, Sosman Trail

Trail Conditions

Equipment

Notes

Microspikes door to door. By tomorrow, you'll probably want to start in bare boots. Doubtful snowshoes will be needed going forward, although there is a decent monorail in places on the summit loop, and some icy sections so traction still necessary. A few other gridiots enjoying the firm yet moist trail conditions...today gridded out this one for me.

Trails Used

Mt Tecumseh trail, Sosman Trail

Trail Conditions

Equipment

Notes

Tecumseh is such a good choice for a rainy day! Temps were 38 degrees which kept the trail firm despite the rain. There is a lot of ice on the trail down low but the mild temps softened it and I had great purchase with Hillsound Pros. There are some areas of bare ground/rocks here and there but I just kept my traction on. The rain caused some standing water and some areas with running water on top of the ice. Up higher there is a definite monorail shaping up and it held up well under my weight. No issues with postholing today at all. The snow is still pretty deep up high so when the temps warm up, snowshoes may well be needed to keep from trashing the trail. I saw no one today - I guess I am the weird person who really likes hiking in the rain?

Parking

Plenty of room to park today since it was pouring rain. :)

Water Crossings

All were open but were easy rock hops. On my return the water levels were higher but still not an issue.

Wildlife

Still in Hell

Trails Used

Tecumseh

Trail Conditions

Equipment

Notes

First White Mountain hike with snow on the ground. No snowshoes needed. Summit had barely any wind and full of sunshine. 5/48 done (tracking 48 peaks).

Trails Used

Mt. Tecumseh Trail

Trail Conditions

Equipment

Notes

Initial plan was to skin up Waterville Valley resort uphill trail, but discovered they do not sell one day passes. Need a Waterville uphill season pass or an Uphill New England pass. Looking at conditions when I arrived the ski area trails looked very “firm” after the rain last night and temperature drop today. Decided to hike up & down instead. Snow is gone or disappearing rapidly below about 2300 feet (in the hardwood predominant forest), but good cover above that. However it was frozen hard and icy; I think skinning up the Mt. Tecumseh trail would be very challenging right now. Microspikes were adequate and essential. Snowshoes went for a ride, although Televators might have been nice for the long steady climb above the ski area viewpoint.

Parking

Ski area lot; plenty of space

Water Crossings

All open, but easily crossed

Wildlife

N/A