1HappyHiker
Well-known member
The snow on the trail's treadway was well consolidated by previous hikers who had kindly used snowshoes to hike this trail. The recent January thaw had further hardened the treadway such that I was able to comfortably use Microspikes for the entire trek. I did have my snowshoes strapped to my pack, but they just got a free ride. They never left my pack since there was never a risk of post-holing at any point along the way.
There were some icy spots on the steep section approaching the north side of Noon Peak. I felt comfortable with Microspikes in this area, but others might prefer to switch to more aggressive crampons for this short section of trail.
There were no blowdowns along the entire route. The crossing of Drakes Brook at the beginning of this hike was doable, but tricky. If this crossing is beyond your comfort level, then there is always the option mentioned in the White Mountain Guide which states: ". . . you can reach the trail on the other side of the brook by bushwhacking up the west bank from where Drakes Brook crosses under NH 49."
This was not an aborted or failed attempt to reach Sandwich Dome. My modest goal for this particular day was merely to hike to Jennings Peak. There was no desire to continue onward to Sandwich Dome since I've visited that mountaintop many times via a couple of routes. However, for anyone who might want to continue onward to Sandwich Dome, the Sandwich Mountain Trail appeared to be well broken out beyond the point where the spur trail branches off to Jennings Peak.
Some photos from this trek are at my BLOG.
There were some icy spots on the steep section approaching the north side of Noon Peak. I felt comfortable with Microspikes in this area, but others might prefer to switch to more aggressive crampons for this short section of trail.
There were no blowdowns along the entire route. The crossing of Drakes Brook at the beginning of this hike was doable, but tricky. If this crossing is beyond your comfort level, then there is always the option mentioned in the White Mountain Guide which states: ". . . you can reach the trail on the other side of the brook by bushwhacking up the west bank from where Drakes Brook crosses under NH 49."
This was not an aborted or failed attempt to reach Sandwich Dome. My modest goal for this particular day was merely to hike to Jennings Peak. There was no desire to continue onward to Sandwich Dome since I've visited that mountaintop many times via a couple of routes. However, for anyone who might want to continue onward to Sandwich Dome, the Sandwich Mountain Trail appeared to be well broken out beyond the point where the spur trail branches off to Jennings Peak.
Some photos from this trek are at my BLOG.
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