B
Barkingcat
Guest
Date Hiked: Sunday, May 11
Trail Conditions: Much has changed in the past two weeks since the last posting for this hike -- much snow has melted so that conditions down low are drier and conditions higher up are time-consuming because of rotted snow. But up high there is no difficulty finding the trail.
Ethan Pond to intersection with Willey Range is mainly dry with some wet spots and a very few sections of snow -- easily bare-bootable.
On Willey Range to the ladders, the snow patches increase but are interspersed with dry spots. The ladders are completely dry (woo hoo!). Above the ladders the snowpack increases. It's hard and supportive in some spots but quite soft in others -- you won't know for certain until you step.
We barebooted the entire trail up and wore Stabilicers on the way down to the ladders for added traction on some of the icy spots. Snowshoes are useless up high because the snowpack is so chopped up and uneven.
Summit and viewpoint ledges are clear and dry.
Water crossings were not a problem.
Special Equipment Required: Poles, bug spray and sunscreen. Snowshoes stayed attached to our packs all day.
Comments: A beautiful, warm day with a light breeze on the summit. Up high we saw a family of six out hiking for Mother's Day, a group coming back from the Ethan Pond campsite, and then down low the requisite dozen or so folks headed to Ripley Falls.
Barkingcat
Your E-mail address: [email protected]
Trail Conditions: Much has changed in the past two weeks since the last posting for this hike -- much snow has melted so that conditions down low are drier and conditions higher up are time-consuming because of rotted snow. But up high there is no difficulty finding the trail.
Ethan Pond to intersection with Willey Range is mainly dry with some wet spots and a very few sections of snow -- easily bare-bootable.
On Willey Range to the ladders, the snow patches increase but are interspersed with dry spots. The ladders are completely dry (woo hoo!). Above the ladders the snowpack increases. It's hard and supportive in some spots but quite soft in others -- you won't know for certain until you step.
We barebooted the entire trail up and wore Stabilicers on the way down to the ladders for added traction on some of the icy spots. Snowshoes are useless up high because the snowpack is so chopped up and uneven.
Summit and viewpoint ledges are clear and dry.
Water crossings were not a problem.
Special Equipment Required: Poles, bug spray and sunscreen. Snowshoes stayed attached to our packs all day.
Comments: A beautiful, warm day with a light breeze on the summit. Up high we saw a family of six out hiking for Mother's Day, a group coming back from the Ethan Pond campsite, and then down low the requisite dozen or so folks headed to Ripley Falls.
Barkingcat
Your E-mail address: [email protected]
