Caveman77
Member
Dates of Hike: 1/21/2012 - 1/23/2012
Balsam Lake Mountain and Graham from Mill Brook Road on 1/21 afternoon. About 3 inches powder near trailhead up to 8 - 12 inches on the summits. Some two - three foot deep drifts high up on Graham. Snowshoes - essential.
Eagle and Big Indian from Seager on 1/22. Packed snow the whole way, although it was pretty thin cover for the first two miles. Plenty of snowshoe traffic, especially along the ridge (Pine Hill - West Branch Trail). The multiple stream crossings were tricky with some spots where people broke through. Snowshoes - recommended. Bareboot - ok at spots.
Rusk, Hunter, SW Hunter on 1/23 from Spruceton Road (Spruceton Trail, Hunter Mountain Trail, and Devil's Path). Rained most of the day. Temps over 40 F. On the summits, wet snow, rapidly consolidating; maybe 8 inches max, but still good snowshoeing. At lower elevations, some bare ground, but mostly a half inch to two inches of very wet snow and slush. By the evening, there was almost no snow left along Spruceton Road. Still no bridge on the Devil's Path at Diamond Falls (on the way to West Kill), but it's rockhoppable. Right now the proper equipment is bareboot and snowshoe.
All parking areas are fine for any car.
Your name: Steve
Balsam Lake Mountain and Graham from Mill Brook Road on 1/21 afternoon. About 3 inches powder near trailhead up to 8 - 12 inches on the summits. Some two - three foot deep drifts high up on Graham. Snowshoes - essential.
Eagle and Big Indian from Seager on 1/22. Packed snow the whole way, although it was pretty thin cover for the first two miles. Plenty of snowshoe traffic, especially along the ridge (Pine Hill - West Branch Trail). The multiple stream crossings were tricky with some spots where people broke through. Snowshoes - recommended. Bareboot - ok at spots.
Rusk, Hunter, SW Hunter on 1/23 from Spruceton Road (Spruceton Trail, Hunter Mountain Trail, and Devil's Path). Rained most of the day. Temps over 40 F. On the summits, wet snow, rapidly consolidating; maybe 8 inches max, but still good snowshoeing. At lower elevations, some bare ground, but mostly a half inch to two inches of very wet snow and slush. By the evening, there was almost no snow left along Spruceton Road. Still no bridge on the Devil's Path at Diamond Falls (on the way to West Kill), but it's rockhoppable. Right now the proper equipment is bareboot and snowshoe.
All parking areas are fine for any car.
Your name: Steve
