1HappyHiker
Well-known member
Date Hiked: 11-May-2008
Conditions: For the lower parts of the trail (below 2500 feet) there were a few sporadic patches of snow, and the trail was wet & soggy in spots, as is the case with many trails this time of year. However, from about 2500 feet forward, it’s like WINTER NEVER LEFT!! The snowpack quickly became 2 to 3 feet deep. Although portions of the snowpack was consolidated (allowing you to walk on top of it), it was very inconsistent. Without warning, there were sudden plunges into crotch-deep snow. At about 2800 feet, I finally aborted. I did not bring snowshoes and so it was very slow-going, and more importantly, it was not worth risking an injury by continuing.
Other than the extreme snow conditions (for mid-May!!), there were no other limiting factors such as blow-downs, difficult water crossings, etc.
Special Equipment: Snowshoes and trekking poles for the upper portion of this trail.
Comments: Based upon some of the Trail Conditions reports on VFTT, I was not totally surprised by the conditions encountered on this trek. It was just a case of wishful thinking that perhaps it would be possible to leave the snowshoes at home and trudge through whatever snow might be remaining on the trail. WRONG!!!
So, for anyone with a hankering to go to the summit of Mt. Tremont via the Mt. Tremont Trail, it is suggested that you either wait a couple of weeks for the snow to melt, or take snowshoes!!
Despite not making it to the summit, it was still a fantastic day to be out. The lower portion of this trail runs adjacent to Stony Brook which is beautiful all year round. But at this time of year, it is particularly spectacular with its numerous cascades operating at the peak of their splendor. Also, there are spots on the upper portion of the trail where you can get some decent (albeit restricted) views of the Presidentials and the Montalban Range.
1HappyHiker
Conditions: For the lower parts of the trail (below 2500 feet) there were a few sporadic patches of snow, and the trail was wet & soggy in spots, as is the case with many trails this time of year. However, from about 2500 feet forward, it’s like WINTER NEVER LEFT!! The snowpack quickly became 2 to 3 feet deep. Although portions of the snowpack was consolidated (allowing you to walk on top of it), it was very inconsistent. Without warning, there were sudden plunges into crotch-deep snow. At about 2800 feet, I finally aborted. I did not bring snowshoes and so it was very slow-going, and more importantly, it was not worth risking an injury by continuing.
Other than the extreme snow conditions (for mid-May!!), there were no other limiting factors such as blow-downs, difficult water crossings, etc.
Special Equipment: Snowshoes and trekking poles for the upper portion of this trail.
Comments: Based upon some of the Trail Conditions reports on VFTT, I was not totally surprised by the conditions encountered on this trek. It was just a case of wishful thinking that perhaps it would be possible to leave the snowshoes at home and trudge through whatever snow might be remaining on the trail. WRONG!!!
So, for anyone with a hankering to go to the summit of Mt. Tremont via the Mt. Tremont Trail, it is suggested that you either wait a couple of weeks for the snow to melt, or take snowshoes!!
Despite not making it to the summit, it was still a fantastic day to be out. The lower portion of this trail runs adjacent to Stony Brook which is beautiful all year round. But at this time of year, it is particularly spectacular with its numerous cascades operating at the peak of their splendor. Also, there are spots on the upper portion of the trail where you can get some decent (albeit restricted) views of the Presidentials and the Montalban Range.
1HappyHiker
