Ethan Pond to Garfield in May.....

[SherpaWill]

I am planning on possibly doing a 4 day, 3 night backpacking trip from Ethan Pond to Garfield next May, probably mid month. I was wondering what trail conditions are like in general in that area that time of the year. We'll be staying at Ethan Pond, Guyot and Garfield Ridge campsites. I was planning on doing this as a "Summer" hiking trip but I wasn't sure if most of the snow would be melted out in that area by then or not or if the trails would be super wet/muddy. Thanks!

 

[TJsName]

Mid May in this area will likely mean some rotten snow anywhere that gets some shade. Depending how snowy the winter is, this could be a real shin-scraper above 3k'. This doesn't strike me as a super fun plan, but at least you're likely to have solitude, and you don't have any really tough crossings that I can think of. Mid April to Mid May is probably the toughest time to hike in the Whites. There is a short season that is dry and bug free, but generally you need to stay a bit lower.

I am planning on possibly doing a 4 day, 3 night backpacking trip from Ethan Pond to Garfield next May, probably mid month. I was wondering what trail conditions are like in general in that area that time of the year. We'll be staying at Ethan Pond, Guyot and Garfield Ridge campsites. I was planning on doing this as a "Summer" hiking trip but I wasn't sure if most of the snow would be melted out in that area by
then or not or if the trails would be super wet/muddy. Thanks!

 

[peakbagger]

Mid may you may still encounter snow in shaded areas, YOu may have to deal with the dreaded 'rail', black flies will be out in force. The AT between Ethan Pond and Zealand has some very wet sections. Barring a short snow season and and an early spring, it could be rotten conditions.

 

[SherpaWill]

Thanks for the advice. I've been through there in April before and there was a lot of snow and where there wasn't snow it was very wet and muddy. Looks like I'll try to make this one happen in June or July.

 

[rocket21]

Shameless plug disclaimer.

NewEnglandTrailConditions.com has four years of conditions reports archived that can be searched by trail/month/peak/etc.

 

[--M.]

... Looks like I'll try to make this one happen in June or July.

You must remember your scripture: "Good weather, bad weather. Anytime's good for climbing." --Anderl Meyer, The Eiger Sanction.

Look how well it turned out for them!

Best wishes. I'm sure it'd be a mess, but beautiful. If you go, file a report and some pics!

 

[SherpaWill]

You must remember your scripture: "Good weather, bad weather. Anytime's good for climbing." --Anderl Meyer, The Eiger Sanction.

Look how well it turned out for them!

Best wishes. I'm sure it'd be a mess, but beautiful. If you go, file a report and some pics!

Ha! Very true. I'll be sure to file a trip report and pics.

 

[blacknblue]

It always depends on the particular year, of course, but mid-May is most likely going to be nightmarish. I remember a craptacular few days in that area during that time of year. The Twinway b/t South Twin and Guyot made me want to cry. (Is it okay to admit that on here?)