This was an AMC hike.
After some helpful beta from Big Earl, we did the loop clockwise, starting from Camp Joe Dodge. The connector trail to the Imp Trail was in good condition, although it was raining and the trails were not dry.
Not dry! The Imp Trail was a small river in places, as there is still quite a bit of snow up top and it was coming down on Saturday, between the rain and the warm temps.
We hit ice before snow heading up, frankly, earlier than I expected. I would say don't don microspikes at the first ice, but slide through it and see what things look like beyond it. At some point, we put them on and kept them on until Zeta Pass.
There was still quite a bit of snow on the ridge! So much so that at one point someone postholed to his waist! Stay right on the monorail, and even then, there will be times where you wished you had snowshoes. Looking back on it, if we had snowshoes for the hike from Zeta Pass to Carter Dome, I think we would have been happier, but even then, I think if you bring microspikes and muddle through, that's probably the easiest way.
The snow disappears shortly below Zeta Pass, and then went back to ice. Maybe five minutes hiking down from Zeta, we took off the microspikes.
The crossings heading down to Nineteen Mile Brook, and on Nineteen Mile Brook Trail itself are a hassle, since the water levels are high.
It's a tough time to be hiking right now! Plus, I swatted my first black fly of the season.
That being said, we started off in raincoats and ended up in sunglasses, and on a nice day, the views are quite nice!
All the best,
Brian
After some helpful beta from Big Earl, we did the loop clockwise, starting from Camp Joe Dodge. The connector trail to the Imp Trail was in good condition, although it was raining and the trails were not dry.
Not dry! The Imp Trail was a small river in places, as there is still quite a bit of snow up top and it was coming down on Saturday, between the rain and the warm temps.
We hit ice before snow heading up, frankly, earlier than I expected. I would say don't don microspikes at the first ice, but slide through it and see what things look like beyond it. At some point, we put them on and kept them on until Zeta Pass.
There was still quite a bit of snow on the ridge! So much so that at one point someone postholed to his waist! Stay right on the monorail, and even then, there will be times where you wished you had snowshoes. Looking back on it, if we had snowshoes for the hike from Zeta Pass to Carter Dome, I think we would have been happier, but even then, I think if you bring microspikes and muddle through, that's probably the easiest way.
The snow disappears shortly below Zeta Pass, and then went back to ice. Maybe five minutes hiking down from Zeta, we took off the microspikes.
The crossings heading down to Nineteen Mile Brook, and on Nineteen Mile Brook Trail itself are a hassle, since the water levels are high.
It's a tough time to be hiking right now! Plus, I swatted my first black fly of the season.
That being said, we started off in raincoats and ended up in sunglasses, and on a nice day, the views are quite nice!
All the best,
Brian
