I agree with others. This seems like a potentially dangerous trail for winter, particularly descending. Whenever I do this trail in the summer I think of what it would be like covered in ice.
Does anyone ever summit Monroe from the other side via Crawford Path as an extension of Pierce and Eisenhower? Obviously a longer walk (certainly not as bad as going from Monroe over to Jefferson) but on a decent weather day with good snow conditions the relatively easy grades must make for far faster walking. Are there winter hazards (other than exposure) in that area I'm not aware of like bad drifting? I believe the 4000 Footer Guide mentions really nasty snowfields in front of Monroe as the trail wraps around toward the Lakes but on the other side is it OK?
And as long as I'm on the subject the Edmands Path I assume makes for a nice bail out option down to Clinton Road if weather turns bad to limit exposure (although I assume it is not broken out and rarely used but at least you can get into the trees and you're moving downhill, which is much less strenuous, and the road is always West of you and easy to hit even in the dark). Anyone ever do that trail in the winter? I know the trail itself is very comfortable but I don't remember how well blazed it was, etc.
Curious if anyone has ever gone that way. If so let me know why and what your preference is vs Ammo.
My 02.
On descending Ammo, yes, it's particularly icy up pretty high, I'd recommend real crampons not Micros although I'm sure a fair number of people have done it with Micros. You'll also find that you have some people who prefer snowshoeing over crampon travel assuming both okay. (I prefer crampon walking, snowshoes IMO are a necessary winter evil (I'm not alone in this thought but likely in the minority) while crampons & ice are winter fun for me.
On Edmands, years ago, a friend & I did it in late October and the trickle of Abenecki (sic?) Brook was forming an icy sheet and was the crux of our trip. (scanning my old photo's and just came across this trip actually). Two guys I used to hike with who used to post here (Farmer Bob & Gary T for the historians) went with another guy the first or second Spring Weekend one year. Gary & I often shared notes, he was a old White's guy with many years of experience but generally unassuming. They lost the trail near treeline & the third guy made the decision to head straight up the cone, likely from the west or northwest. It got steep, one of the three took a slide back into the trees, another became nervous & Gary finally had enough and took over. He later kicked himself for following the guy who was confident which Gary took as competent but for the most part the guy was pretty inexperienced as he put it.
Personally I did Ike along with Pierce and Jackson in my more fit days in winter.
My initial thought on adding Monroe to a winter trip on the Crawford Path, besides the aforementioned exposure on a 6+ mile trip in each direction, about six miles RT above treeline on an out and back trip is: I'd expect some snow in pockets getting up Franklin. (You'll find some Presi-Traverses done in summer from South to North, winter trips done by the more experienced are usually done North to South The col between Ike & Franklin is about 4400 feet. Franklin is just over 5000 feet with a summit not much higher than the plateau there so you'll climb about 600 feet before reaching the Monroe Loop. I've done the Southern peaks a few times in Summer and Fall & the descent of Franklin is the biggest one other than Washinton to LOC. in the southern peaks. the Franklin section makes up most of the descent from Monroe to the Edmand trail Junction.
I've not done (or likely will do) a winter traverse or a Katahdin winter trip. Generally my above treeline expsoure comfort in winter (assuming weather may change from AM to PM somewhat normally wor winter in New England & being prepared for sudden changes) is about 3 or 4 miles above treeline. I'm okay with the Franconia loop, Piece & Ike, Adams & Madison, even a Monroe & Washington trip. Can you add Jefferson, sure, but not now you need a longer & or better weather window. The more experienced you are up there in winter, the more leeway you may have with weather.
A hiker with a few winter 4's many summer 4's but only a trip or two in this area (think some peakbaggers who do it once & then move on), plus some smaller winter peaks like Monadnock & Kearsarge as a resume, probably should hope for stellar weather, an early start or find an expericened group.
okay,maybe that was a dime's worth.....
