Mount Hale

Trail: Zealand Trail, Lend-A-Hand Trail

Conditions: Wet Trail, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Snow - Wet/Sticky, Snow/Ice - Postholes, Slush

“Wait for a freeze cycle. Streams are too wide to pass. Constant post holing with snow shoes the whole way.”

Trail: Zealand Road, Hale Brook Trail, Lend-A-Hand Trail, bushwhack Twinway, Zealand Trail

Conditions: Snow - Unpacked Powder, Snow - Drifts

“A FINE day in the forest was had. We set out to grab Zeale, which we knew that Home Depot Carl had gone to a few days before. Hale being in the way, we did that too. Zealand Road was spikes, Hale Brook snowshoes... which we took off back at Zealand Road. We could have switched to spikes at the hut. Fresh tracks on Hale Brook from the morning snow. Summit cairn almost entirely covered. Fresh tracks, again, on Lend-A-Hand, however this has seen significantly less traffic, but still very obvious. Large sections of wind drifted snow has filled in the trail. We launched as one typically does, at the large boulder in the meadow at ~3400 due west to the base of the ridge to the NE of the summit plateau. Roulette of supportive snow through meadow, and then the fun began. It took the pair of us about an hour to go the half mile breaking through at time waist deep snow and then taller spruce traps until we got high enough large conifers greeted us. We found no trace of Carl being there until the last fifty yards, which is arguably the most important as he found all the spruce traps through the last confiner band before the summit. The comic still lives and the register dates back to 1991. We then opted for miles instead of reclimbing Hale, and frankly I was hoping to score a free brownie. I was distraught there was none left. We took turns screaming at each other over our tubbs which are the most quiet and cat burglar type footwear one can wear in winter. With the exception of a pair on their way out that we caught at Sugarloaf CG, we saw no other hikers all day. We both thought we had died and where in some type of hiker purgatory along with all the people who don't wear snowshoes. Yaya's made up for it with a crab rangoon pizza though. Also there is a resident pine marten at zealand hut - which does not have its distinct aroma of sewage that it does all summer!”

Trail: Zealand Road, Hale Brook Trail, Lend-A-Hand Trail, Twinway, Zealand Spur, Zealand Trail

Conditions: Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Snow - Drifts, Snow - Wet/Sticky

“Set out with a huge day in mind for this single season attempt. Barebooted the road and went to spikes at Hale Brook, then snowshoes at the sidehill section when it gets softer. Could probably have gone to them a little sooner. Lend a Hand had semi recent tracks and at least 2 sets today. Snowshoes for sure here, but not too bad. Up to Zeacliff is firm but snowshoes for the televators. Well packed all the way to Zealand, but softer past Zeacliff. Saw a few others who wanted to do the Bonds as well, but they all turned around at Zealand or shortly after. I decided to press on and at least check it out. Tree misery past Zealand with many in your face or sticking out wanting to trip you. Once coming out of the trees at Guyot the trail disappeared with 40ish mph winds and sideways snow. That was it for me. Wouldn’t have been safe even with a group. Expect to be breaking a lot of trail from Guyot on. When does Lincoln Woods reopen? Also, everything down low was getting super sticky. The roadwalk out sucked as it was softening up bigtime. Hopefully returning cold temps firm it back up.”