Madison/Adams/Jefferson via Valley Way/Gulfside/Jewell Trails (12-26-07)
Trail Conditions: Valley Way had mostly hardpacked snow with some occasional soft areas, along with about 5-6 blowdowns. Above treeline was a combination of rock, styrofoam snow, and some ice. Jewell Trail was exactly as BC Border describes it.
Special Equipment Required: Wore snowshoes almost the entire hike (took them off for the summit climb of Madison due to all of the rock). Crampons can be usefull in small areas, but there is too much rock to make them worth using overall (unless you like taking them on and off frequently). Crampons on the snowshoes worked well on the ice...
Comments: The weather couldn't have been sweeter...
Low wind, mild temps and lots-o-sun make for a fun winter hike in the Presidentials...
Trail Conditions: Valley Way had mostly hardpacked snow with some occasional soft areas, along with about 5-6 blowdowns. Above treeline was a combination of rock, styrofoam snow, and some ice. Jewell Trail was exactly as BC Border describes it.
Special Equipment Required: Wore snowshoes almost the entire hike (took them off for the summit climb of Madison due to all of the rock). Crampons can be usefull in small areas, but there is too much rock to make them worth using overall (unless you like taking them on and off frequently). Crampons on the snowshoes worked well on the ice...
Comments: The weather couldn't have been sweeter...
Low wind, mild temps and lots-o-sun make for a fun winter hike in the Presidentials...
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