Heading out for 4 days in April

[ChacoTaco]

Heading out to do something to start prepping for my LT e2e. Was looking at doing Hancock/ Cedar Brook Trail to the Wilderness Trail to the Desolation Trail over Carrigain to Sawyer Road and back across to Hancock Notch back to the parking lot. Plan on staying out 2 nights

So I guess Im wondering if I should anticipate ice and carry micro's. Also any conditions about these trails is appreciated
Are there views on Hancock?

 

[peakbagger]

Desolation Trail over the years has the reputation of one of the last trails to lose the snowpack in the whites. I expect its a combination of the treecover and the alignment of the trail so it doesnt get sun. Many folks have cussed at its conditions in the early season over the years. I dont think it gets much use in the winter so there shouldnt be a monorail. In normal years it still has enough rotten snow on it to be an issue, given this years snow pack it probably isnt an issue but

 

[Mike P.]

When In April?

I was on Moosilauke Carriage Road last weekend & it looked like May - late May. However, when I drove around to the Beaver Brook trailhead, you'd have thought I'd had gone back six weeks, they has snow at the trailhead, not much but meaningful snow on MCR wa at about 4,000 feet.

A Pine Bend Brook trail report also sounded like it was weeks earlier than my trip. Anything north facing & in the fir/spruce zone is still full of snow & not much melting took place this week. The Presidentials look more winter like today than they did last week.

By late month we could be looking at early June conditions, on the other hand one year several feet fell in April. (I still remember my first trip on Rollins trail where some of the trail markers were under the snow in May)

If out soon, I'd say Desolation may require snowshoes, traction definitely.

 

[ChacoTaco]

April 20,21,22 and maybe 23. Not sure where I want to go yet. Just have looked at this loop before. Any input on a good loop, ANYWHERE in the Whites would be awesome.

 

[Guthook]

April 20,21,22 and maybe 23. Not sure where I want to go yet. Just have looked at this loop before. Any input on a good loop, ANYWHERE in the Whites would be awesome.

Hey Chaco. This might not be what you're looking for, but I'm trying to get a little group together to do the Monadnock-Sunapee Greenway that same weekend. Hike up Sunapee and camp either at Lake Solitude or Moose Lookout Shelter friday night, then 50 miles between saturday and sunday. Ought to be an @$$-kicker with the big miles, but most of the guys have jobs so can't hike on Monday.

It's not the Whites, but it's a pleasant little trail.

 

[ChacoTaco]

Hey Chaco. This might not be what you're looking for, but I'm trying to get a little group together to do the Monadnock-Sunapee Greenway that same weekend. Hike up Sunapee and camp either at Lake Solitude or Moose Lookout Shelter friday night, then 50 miles between saturday and sunday. Ought to be an @$$-kicker with the big miles, but most of the guys have jobs so can't hike on Monday.

It's not the Whites, but it's a pleasant little trail.

Im def interested

 

[ChacoTaco]

Gale River to Highland Center

So I think I may have decided what Id like to do with my 3-4 days out April 20-24.
Only thing is, getting back to my car at Gale River. Anyone got any ideas?

So i guess, I am in the market for a shuttle if anyone wants to make a little cash. I would probably shoot to be at Highland Center by days end so if you are out hiking that day, maybe come up Tom and Willey. Ill donate some gas money and throw in a little extra for the trouble.
This is what my daily is looking like:
Fri- Gale River, Galehead, BOTH Twins to Guyot Campground
Sat- Guyot, Zealand, Ethan Pond
Sun- Ethan Pond, Mt Willey, Mt Field, Mt Tom, Highland Center

 

[ChacoTaco]

Im still unsure what Ill end up doing. I think I'm going to park at Highland and try to get a ride somewhere along 302. Im thinking of going up at Haystack and just road walking up to the North Twin Trail. I missed out twice last year of getting North Twin and really want to snag it. Im good on dropping Galehead and just saving that for later. From there I think Ill try to get to Guyot early Friday so I can enjoy the sunset from West Bond that evening. I feel like 10.9 is doable as long as the snow isn't too bad by then. Next day Ill shoot for Ethan Pond, 7.9 then just head to my car on Sunday getting Willey, Field and Tom. Im gonna pack microspikes as well as crampons. I think Ill be fine without snowshoes.

 

[Red Oak]

I think Ill be fine without snowshoes.

Could be the best 5 pounds you bring.Based on recent weather reports,you might bring them.There might be some snow leftover coupled with a forecast of 4 inches of fresh snow and a cold weather stretch ahead which could keep the snow higher up,its a toss up.I do not vouch for any recent snow totals up north! Welcome to the whites chaco...Been to your smokies a few times,very cool places down there.

 

[ChacoTaco]

I went out in 2010 in the south after the huge storm in the south. There was about 14 inches of crunchy, frozen snow. I did not have any traction and made it fine. Granted there also wasn't the cold wind and temps either. Some of the stories the thru's I met had about what was going on in The Smokies was incredible (4-6 Feet) through places like Spence Field. Craziness, in late march.

I do think I am going to take Snowshoes, Crampons and Microspikes. I may haul a little bit of homemade rope. My pack is right where I want it on space and packing. The reports of the snow around Washington aren't that bad. Id love totry this area for a couple of days. Ill have platforms to camp on, so I'll be good there. I have plenty of good clothing. Im conditioning now. I think its time to put my stuff to a little test. I have the means to take 3 1/2 days to hike. This section sounds and looks fun. Plus I know The Pemi pretty well and know that if I need to bail out, I know where to go. Ill watch the weather and decide the day before like I always do. If it looks like it would be a little too challenging, Ill turn back and go somewhere else. But we shall see what the mountains do cause Im learning that the Smokies and Whites are different but have many similarities. I had thought about doing the Kinsman Ridge or maybe further south around the Sandwiches. With the direct sunlight the ridges take up in the Pemi, I feel like once I get up and over South Twin, the forest stretch will be good out to when I come out to the open area at Guyot. Im dismissing even thinking about going back up West Bond. I see it just being a solid ridge of ice.

Anyone want to join???? Im somewhat sane

 

[ChacoTaco]

Still unsure about the snowshoes thing. Ill probably decide at the car. If I bring snowshoes, do I bring crampons? Ill def bring microspikes