Mt Washington summit got about an inch of snow, but much more substantial Rime Ice overnight on Thursday. Friday morning, the State Park and Obs folks, and Auto Road Crew, were all using chains on vehicles until around noon. Ice and snow accumulations began at about 4000 ft elevation, but the sun is a good friend to all.
There was still some snow/ice in sheltered/shadowed areas today, Saturday. High daytime temps @ summit were in the low 40's with winds diminishing from 40's to teens throughout the day.
Today the AMC/Pinkham lot overflowed before 9 AM, 19 Mile Brook parking was overwhelmed before 8. Parking on both sides of 16 up to a quarter mile in both directions, and some folks spotting cars at Wildcat depending on the thumb.
When I opened the Auto Road this morning @ 7:30, I had a party of 3 Quebecois who had been waiting for some time, thinking that all the trailheads for hiking the Rockpile started at the Auto Road Entrance. A little high-school French goes a good way... AH EM SEE ( yay!) sur la droit trois mille Sud au Route D'sixe..... and by noon I had need to use the same words 4 more times in French and more than a few times in English.
Present company excepted only in part....... be careful out there, not only for yourself, but for others, too.
The Hills are alive.
Happy Autumn!
Breeze
