Mount Whiteface

Trail: Flat Mountain Pond Trail, McCrillis Trail

Conditions: Snow - Wet/Sticky

“2 of us broke out the route until about 2500 ft on McCrillis Trail, just before the trail gets very steep. With extremely wet and dense snow and only 2 people, this was a MAJOR task, especially considering this trail receives almost no traffic in winter. There was no evidence of any previous hikers on McCrillis Trail (Flat Mountain Pond Trail had seen some traffic toward the shelter) but lots of interesting animal tracks. If anyone wants to hike this before the next snow falls, you'll have an easy walk up until the steeps and then can expect very deep snow and challenging conditions, but no major issues with navigation.”

Trail: Blueberry Ledge Trail, Rollins Trail, Dicey's Mill Trail

Conditions: Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Snow - Unpacked Powder, Snow - Drifts

“We did the loop clockwise. Put snowshoes on from the start and they remained on for the day. If you do not wear snowshoes you will be very very sorry. Only an inch of new snow on a relatively solid base to start. At the Tom Wiggins Junction, we encountered more snow and drifts of several inches. The trail disappears and reappears in several areas. We found the ledges to be reasonable today, using the snow for an extra boost to get up a few sections. It was firm, which gave us a good grip. The Rollins Trail was easy in snow shoes, but there was 3 to 5 inches of drifts. If you stayed on the firm base it was smooth sailing. We saw zero post holes. We were likely the only set of tracks today in that section. Up to Passaconaway was nicely packed. We encountered another group of three snowshoes on our way back down from Passaconaway. They had come up dicey mill trail. On the way down, the trail was getting very sticky and we were getting balls on our snow shoes so I can’t imagine the nightmare this would be in spikes. It was a fantastic LAST trip to Passaconaway in wonder winter conditions. 12 times and never again !!!”

Trail: Blueberry Ledge Trail, Rollins Trail, Dicey's Mill Trail

Conditions: Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Snow - Unpacked Powder, Snow - Drifts

“We weren't sure what to expect today in terms of new snow and drifts. Our crew of 6 set out and found a good trench down low with an inch or so of new snow. Up higher there was plenty more new snow and many places on BB Ledges and the Rollins trail where the trail was totally drifted over. The ledges were doable with snowshoes and a few gymnastics moves. HUGE thanks to Alan for doing the bulk of the trail breaking today. We saw 2 others in snowshoes so there are 8 sets of snowshoes who tracked it out today. It's still soft and unconsolidated and it was still windy so some of our work may get blown back in but there should still be a decent trench to follow. Snowshoes door to door and they will be needed going forward especially with new snow coming over the next couple days. What a great day to be out with friends, both old and new today!”