Perfect conditions, mostly hard packed. One tricky icy spot about 1/2 way up. Icy, as always at the top.
We put on microspikes right away, makes life easier. Crampons went on at the steep bit shortly after the cut-off for Wright. Some people were using microspikes and snowshoes at the top, but crampons are more suitable and make life MUCH easier, as well as safer.
We took a wrong turn at the 0.9 mile marker on the way back. This turned out to be wonderful, as we ended up on the Old Marcy Dam Road, which was flat and led to Heart Lake and the Loj, and is easier than the regular trail. I couldn't find this on my map, but a woman at the loj said that in the summer it's a mudfest. I can certainly recommend it for the winter time.
had a wonderful day, great weather. Algonquin sure is easy in the winter, with the snow covering all the rocks, boulders, mud, tree roots, etc.
We put on microspikes right away, makes life easier. Crampons went on at the steep bit shortly after the cut-off for Wright. Some people were using microspikes and snowshoes at the top, but crampons are more suitable and make life MUCH easier, as well as safer.
We took a wrong turn at the 0.9 mile marker on the way back. This turned out to be wonderful, as we ended up on the Old Marcy Dam Road, which was flat and led to Heart Lake and the Loj, and is easier than the regular trail. I couldn't find this on my map, but a woman at the loj said that in the summer it's a mudfest. I can certainly recommend it for the winter time.
had a wonderful day, great weather. Algonquin sure is easy in the winter, with the snow covering all the rocks, boulders, mud, tree roots, etc.
