Sure looks like we have some long term base in the woods

[peakbagger]

The rain event elsewhere was a Saturday snow event up north followed by significant icing conditions (I had a few smaller birches bent down near horizontal) and then followed by rain but very little of the warm conditions others encountered south of here. The rain didn't really knock down the snow much but the top surface got saturated and froze overnight. I would expect this is going to really smooth out the woods and trails for awhile. I expect reliable traction gear is going to be the ticket for this week.

 

[egilbe]

I expect you are right

Looking forward to another end of week storm, too.

 

[DayTrip]

The rain event elsewhere was a Saturday snow event up north followed by significant icing conditions (I had a few smaller birches bent down near horizontal) and then followed by rain but very little of the warm conditions others encountered south of here. The rain didn't really knock down the snow much but the top surface got saturated and froze overnight. I would expect this is going to really smooth out the woods and trails for awhile. I expect reliable traction gear is going to be the ticket for this week.

Have you been out in the general Rte 2 area since all the snow? Not seeing much of anything for trip reports in the Presidentials for past few weeks. I stayed at Mount Washington Hotel THU-SAT for my wife's birthday (a decidedly non-hiking affair) and there was definitely a ton of snow (I think MWOBS had Washington down for over 60 inches of snow as of SAT AM and a 22 inch base). I assume there is some deep snow out there. I may have an opportunity to get up there either WED or FRI so I was thinking of packing up the long snow shoes and hitting Waumbek. Curious if it is already packed into a spike highway or is still a loose and drifted snow.

And on a bit of a tangent, I assume the road is long closed to the official lot. Can you park at the little turn out on Rte 2 directly across the street from Starr King Road? Don't want car to get towed. WMG says to park near the Jefferson Village swimming pool in their lot but I don't see that on Google Maps, Caltopo or other map services I use. I see a small lot on Rte 2 just after the Irving on corner of Rte 115A and Rte 2 and another small lot past Starr King Road just off Rte 2 near that little golf course (so I assume that is not plowed). If you can shed any light on this it would be helpful.

 

[peakbagger]

I haven't been out of the area since the storm as the roads were abysmal on Sunday. I cant comment on the snow conditions at Starr King, given the weather pattern and temps close to freezing, the rain may or may not have eaten into the snow accumulation. I seriously doubt you need powder shoes as I expect the crust will be pretty heavy duty after a couple of cold nights and possible slightly warmer days later in the week with cold nights will further develop the crust. This trail get heavy use and expect there is probably a well established path already.

I can comment on parking situation at Starr King. The intent is that there is a summer parking area off a spur off private road that services a couple of houses in this area. The summer parking area was built at one point as hikers were routinely plugging access to the private homes. The individual that plows the road typically plows in the road to the spur. Folks with high clearance 4WD may be able to driveover the banking to the spur lot (then again they may not and will get to contribute to local economy by having to pay for a tow truck) At this point the official parking is at winter lot on the south side of RT 2, not along the road accessing the houses. The entrance to this winter lot is about 50 yards west of the road to the summer trailhead. Its field in the summer next to gray house. It is a seasonal lot and is lower than the highway and tends to turn into "skating rink" especially with the recent weather conditions. Its easy to pull in but not so easy to pull out onto RT 2. My preference is to park in plowed parking spaces just east of the Irving station on the south side of RT 2 . These parking spaces are used by the church on the north side of the road on Sundays and the town keeps them plowed. I try not to park at Irving as they are business that needs parking. I rarely see hikers parking at the scenic pull out that is east of the Starr King road. Odds are highly likely that if its a nice day, you will find plenty of cars parked along the road up to the summer lot inevitably blocking the homes along this way. Many folks rationalize that the homes are unoccupied in the winter and the owners will not mind, they forget about fire access which is probably why the road is plowed in the first place.

 

[DayTrip]

My preference is to park in plowed parking spaces just east of the Irving station on the south side of RT 2 . These parking spaces are used by the church on the north side of the road on Sundays and the town keeps them plowed.

That is what caught my eye on the satellite views. I'll probably park there if possible then. Thanks.

 

[DayTrip]

Well I did hit Waumbek Friday and wound up parking in the "official" lot on Rte 2 opposite the road. It hadn't been plowed but only had maybe 2-3 inches of new snow but it had been tracked up a bit and another car was in there (upon closer inspection though was a Forerunner 4x4) so it didn't look too bad even for my little Hyundai Accent. BIG MISTAKE. Took me 35 minutes to get out and you really have to chance death hurtling out of the lot blind onto Rte 2. Got stuck badly several times before gaining enough momentum to just barely get a tire on the pavement. I unrolled my window and leaned out in that direction while I got on the gas and eventually that tire grabbed and got me out of there. Won't be making that mistake again. Everyone else I saw was walking up road from what I assume was the dry, well plowed church lot that I intended to use in the first place. Lesson learned.

 

[peakbagger]

It is a seasonal lot and is lower than the highway and tends to turn into "skating rink" especially with the recent weather conditions. Its easy to pull in but not so easy to pull out onto RT 2.

I drove by yesterday and saw a few "victims" parked in the winter lot. You aren't the first and not the last. Driving in it doesn't look bad but driving out is bear especially with rear wheel drive. If you are with a group the best thing to is have someone watch for traffic and just nail it.

I was surprised at the snow conditions in Randolph I did a short hike up to Lookout Ledge and there was no base, just snow on top of leaves.

 

[DayTrip]

It is a seasonal lot and is lower than the highway and tends to turn into "skating rink" especially with the recent weather conditions. Its easy to pull in but not so easy to pull out onto RT 2.

I drove by yesterday and saw a few "victims" parked in the winter lot. You aren't the first and not the last. Driving in it doesn't look bad but driving out is bear especially with rear wheel drive. If you are with a group the best thing to is have someone watch for traffic and just nail it.

I was surprised at the snow conditions in Randolph I did a short hike up to Lookout Ledge and there was no base, just snow on top of leaves.

Noticed that too. Lower elevations on Starr King Trail were just granular snow. Most of the little creeks and wet areas were open to the ground. Up higher though there was plenty of snow. Got off the track in a few spots and sunk in over my knees.