Mount Adams

Trail: The Link, Amphibrach, Spur Trail, Hincks Trail, Gray Knob Trail, Randolph Path, Log Cabin Cutoff, Lowes Path

Conditions: Ice - Black, Ice - Blue, Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Snow/Ice - Monorail (Stable), Snow - Spring Snow, Snow/Ice - Postholes, Slush

“Friday night overnight at Gray Knob. Took Link to Amphibrach to Hincks and up the hut. lots of ice flows above 3000 feet. Had microspikes on but probably could have used crampons on Hinks. I added details about water crossings above but we were pretty well settled on not going back across again. Saturday conditions looked not great for summit so bailed on a summit climb and went over to Crag, down the Spur Trail, and then opted to cut over to Lowes path to head out. Headed over Randolph Path to the Log Cabin. There were a few really icy spots, take it slow, some areas were pretty exposed, tricky sidehill walking. Made it to the Log Cabin and down Lowes Path. Lowes is an ice luge, did not bring my crampons but i would recommend them if you are going this week. made it down but it was slow going - had a few inches of snow overnight so a lot of the ice flows were covered up so was never sure what we were walking on. We averaged about a mile an hour downhill and one of two falls per person. Met another crew on log Cabin on the way out, they were heading to the cabin. Heard there was a carry out the next day in that area. Not surprised, lot of spots where one wrong move and it would be a tough fall. Definitely recommend lowes to Gray knob over Ambhibrach to avoid the water crossing but my friends came up Lowes above the Log Cabin the day before and said it was rough so I guess take your pick...”

Trail: Valley Way, Osgood Trail, Gulfside, Airline

Conditions: Ice - Black, Snow - Trace/Minimal Depth, Wet Trail, Ice - Blue, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Snow/Ice - Frozen Granular, Snow/Ice - Monorail (Stable), Snow - Spring Snow, Snow/Ice - Postholes, Slush

“From the parking lot to roughly the Lower Bruin junction is extremely icy, all doable in sharp microspikes, or preferably Hillsounds (which mine were not sharp, and I paid for that with quite a few falls). Crampons aren't required but they'd make some of the sections a bit less sketchy which is why I included that as recommended traction, I wish I carried those instead of carrying my snowshoes on my back all day. After the Lower Bruin junction to the hut is defined by a very solid but very narrow monorail that is miserable to walk and balance on as you battle with trees on one side and a large drop on the other side. Up and down Madison is fine, no issues aside from the wind today. Light traction is good. Up and down Adams is a slightly different story; blowing snow today made solid footing indistinguishable from deep gaps between the rocks. The rocks were pretty slick with ice with several sections having ice flows that you either have to really trust you spikes or try to avoid. We started the day hoping to get as far as we could into a Presi traverse, and between the trail and weather conditions the most sensible choice was just turning around after Adams.”

Trail: Airline, Gulfside, Osgood Trail, Valley Way

Conditions: Snow - Trace/Minimal Depth, Ice - Blue, Snow/Ice - Monorail (Stable), Snow/Ice - Small Patches

“This route seemed to survive the recent Postholemageddon pretty well. Up Airline, there is not a lot of snow (and even some bare dirt) up to around 3800', but there is a lot of ice, including some big frozen waterfalls. It wasn't hard to get around these with microspikes, but with 3-6" of snow forecast for tonight/tomorrow I'd probably avoid Airline tomorrow due to the snow concealing the icy sections. From ~3800' up the monorail began, and it was very supportive and grippy with the micros. Once out of the trees and on the ridge, it is mostly rocks with a little ice in between and I switched to bare boots until the last ~1/4 mile to Adams summit where the rime ice covered the rocks and the ice patches. Kept the spikes on for the descent towards Madison hut until the junction with Airline (spikes took a beating). Barebooted to the hut and then up/down Madison. Osgood trail up to Madison is mostly a suggestion so it wasn't hard to find a route that kept you on ice-free rocks. Not nearly as much rime on Madison as on Adams. Spikes back on for the descent down Valley way. Very narrow monorail for the first 1/2 mile down from the hut, then a mix of ice and rocks for the rest of the way. The last mile is mostly a 1" thick ice path...I enjoyed the crunch crunch of the spikes on the ice as a nice finale. 3-6" if snow overnight will make the rock hopping above treeline a little sketchy tomorrow.”