Sandwich Mountain trail to Jennings Peak spur dry for the most part with one or two icy patches. First water crossing was tougher than usual due to the recent rain. Trail above the spur is covered in a light blanket of snow toward the summit of Sandwich Dome (which wasn't melting today). Drakes Brook trail had one easily negotiable blowdown (looks like it's been there for a while) and many muddy spots as we neared the parking lot.
Special equipment needed. None. The snow was not slippery and patches of ice infrequent. In fact, any traction issue we encountered was caused by a thick blanket of wet leaves, which also hid rocks, roots and areas with tricky footing.
The water crossing at the end of our hike (on Drakes Brook trail) was much easier than our earlier enounter on Sandwich Mountain trail, with some decent close-set rocks in the brook just above the trail. It was a cold clear day and we shared the viewpoints with several groups of hikers.
Special equipment needed. None. The snow was not slippery and patches of ice infrequent. In fact, any traction issue we encountered was caused by a thick blanket of wet leaves, which also hid rocks, roots and areas with tricky footing.
The water crossing at the end of our hike (on Drakes Brook trail) was much easier than our earlier enounter on Sandwich Mountain trail, with some decent close-set rocks in the brook just above the trail. It was a cold clear day and we shared the viewpoints with several groups of hikers.
