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720 hit the main trail up major wearing yaktrax and a lot of clothes. (-4 and a wind out of the nw) I stripped clothing every ten minutes or so hiking up the hardpack snow, ice, and occasional drifts as I climbed. I went up the ledges, which I wouldn't suggest without crampons or well-cramponed snowshoes. (those were fastened to my back at the time). On the summit, the views all around were fantastic, and the polished lake looked like the largest skating rink I've ever seen. It made me want to take up nordic skating.
I left the yaktrax on over to Straightback Mountain, whose mostly bare summit is beautiful as well with great views north to Belknap and Gunstock.
Partway down Straightback on my way to Anna I switched to shoes, for all the 2" or so of powder from last week had blown down into the packed-down trail, and the rest of the terrain was crusty but not enough to support me. I left the shoes, and their sharp crampons, on for the rest of the day. Crossings were frozen, though at times I could hear the water flowing underneath. I went over Anna, into the boy scout land on Mack, and down to Round Pond for lunch. From there it was up the exposed south side of Belknap (which made me want to return with skiis), over the saddle to Gunstock, and down the Brook Trail through the ski area in time for beer and chili in the pub.
There was more snow than I expected and no other people, which I expected. I managed to lose the trail quite a few times for only a couple minutes at a time. I saw lots of tracks, including a perfect bobcat track I was able to photograph. For skiing we need more snow; for tramping around the woods life is good.
I left the yaktrax on over to Straightback Mountain, whose mostly bare summit is beautiful as well with great views north to Belknap and Gunstock.
Partway down Straightback on my way to Anna I switched to shoes, for all the 2" or so of powder from last week had blown down into the packed-down trail, and the rest of the terrain was crusty but not enough to support me. I left the shoes, and their sharp crampons, on for the rest of the day. Crossings were frozen, though at times I could hear the water flowing underneath. I went over Anna, into the boy scout land on Mack, and down to Round Pond for lunch. From there it was up the exposed south side of Belknap (which made me want to return with skiis), over the saddle to Gunstock, and down the Brook Trail through the ski area in time for beer and chili in the pub.
There was more snow than I expected and no other people, which I expected. I managed to lose the trail quite a few times for only a couple minutes at a time. I saw lots of tracks, including a perfect bobcat track I was able to photograph. For skiing we need more snow; for tramping around the woods life is good.
