Avalon and A-Z trails well broken out with enough snow pack over ice to use light traction, though some areas were dicey. Ravine above Avalon trail junction a bit slippery as many boots trampled down the recent snow, exposing the ice. Willey Range trail was not as broken out but that was remedied by the middle of the day. Mt. Tom spur has one small bushwhack and also showing ice in a few of the steeper areas.
Special equipment needed: Microspikes worked for many today but crampons made the difference on the descent, particularly coming down the ravine.
Snowed most of the day, not a lick of wind and the trees were heavy; every so often you could hear snow falling off a large branch with a whomp. Microspikes came off and crampons (and Hillsounds Pro) went on at Field (partial views at the overlook).
We'd planned on hiking through to Mt. Willey summit but didn't have it in us to push through from Field and daylight was not on our side. So we made the short side trip to the summit of Mt. Tom instead (no views there).
Not ashamed to admit I succumbed to a glissade when negotiating the lower half of the ravine wall.
The trails seemed to come alive with celebration from the many folks out today.
Special equipment needed: Microspikes worked for many today but crampons made the difference on the descent, particularly coming down the ravine.
Snowed most of the day, not a lick of wind and the trees were heavy; every so often you could hear snow falling off a large branch with a whomp. Microspikes came off and crampons (and Hillsounds Pro) went on at Field (partial views at the overlook).
We'd planned on hiking through to Mt. Willey summit but didn't have it in us to push through from Field and daylight was not on our side. So we made the short side trip to the summit of Mt. Tom instead (no views there).
Not ashamed to admit I succumbed to a glissade when negotiating the lower half of the ravine wall.
The trails seemed to come alive with celebration from the many folks out today.
