Mount Willey

Trail: Avalon to Willey Range

Conditions: Snow/Ice - Frozen Granular, Snow/Ice - Postholes

“Trail was packed from the trailhead to the junction for Mount Avalon, and spikes would have been fine, but we chose snowshoes. The snow got soft after that and we were glad we had snowshoes on. Going up to Avalon is steep! And the traction of the snowshoes plus the televators were great! Trail between Field and Willey had many post holes, was soft snow. Very narrow most of the time.”

Trail: Avalon Trail, Willey Range Trail, A-Z Trail, Mt. Tom Spur

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

“Awesome day in the big snow on Field, Willey and Tom, in that order. We floundered up Field in the powder because I really like those trees. A crew had broken out to Willey from last night’s storm. It wasn’t perfect but we did a lot of good work with the snowshoes. Snow is still unconsolidated on top & bare booters were struggling a lot today. Saw so so many friends & hieroglyphics. So many nice surprises and coincidences - you never know who you’re going to run into out there! Snowshoes door to door but then we ran the last 2.3 out in spikes. A regular white mountain sidewalk! I don’t think I’ve worn spikes all winter so they felt strange. Lots of squeezing spots over to Willey - the trail was broken but tight. Probably a little easier for you fun sized h@3$! Loved staying at the Top Notch as always, where I have been coming for years and where everybody knows your name (& what you did)! Good spot to shower off from one activity while you’re waiting for the next. Very grateful to know the owner here & have her on speed dial. Big hiker hotel and a place to see & be seen by all 👀 Reminds me of another place I love in the Belknaps.”

Trail: Avalon Trail, Willey Range Trail, A-Z Trail, Mt. Tom Spur

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

“Two of us wore snowshoes the whole way. While it’s packed down on the lower section of Avalon Trail, the trail gets softer and a lot steeper where snowshoes would be best, especially with heel lifts. Evidence of butt-sliding down Avalon trail from Avalon summit present. Avalon Trail to Mt. Field summit has a well-defined trench with areas of unconsolidated snow. Great views from both Mts Avalon and Field. Willey Range Trail has a trench with occasional chunks of fallen snow from trees dotting the trail. We had to avoid some postholes while trying to navigate around spruce branches sticking out into the trail. At Mt. Willey summit we noticed that Willey Range Trail beyond the summit was broken out. We retraced our tracks back down Willey Range Trail to the A-Z trail junction and took Mt. Tom Spur Trail to Mt. Tom summit. The trail was packed down. The descent down A-Z trail and Avalon Trail was good on packed down trails. We noticed divots on the trail from bareboots/microspikes. Great day on the trails with lots of sun and excellent visibility.”