Ed'n Lauky
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This area did not seem to get much snow during the last storm. There is very little snow at the trailhead. We did the loop in the usual counter clockwise direction.
The trail starts out with a light coating of snow over ice. The snow picks up a bit as you go up but except for drifts does not seem to be much more than 6 to ten inches higher up. Except for the occasional drifting the trail was hard packed.
There was no wind today until the first open ledge on Welsh. At that point it was moderate but not strong. From that point up the wind came and went depending on exposure. It was was strong enough on the summit of Welsh to rock you a bit and I could only imagine what it would be like on the high exposed peaks.
The steep open ledges on Welsh had a pretty good layer of snow and traction was not a problem. From the first open ledge on Welsh until you finally left the ledges on Dickey there were occasional drifts up to a foot or perhaps a little more. It was never difficult to get through and the drifts filled back in almost the moment you lifted your foot.
From near the summit of Dickey down to the end of the ledges there were also a lot of bare windswept ledges.
Snowshoes were not necessary today and in fact would be of little use except for traction. Microspikes would be helpful but I would recommend using an old pair if you have them as there is a lot of bare rock especially on Dickey.
There was just one blowdown on the entire route and that not far from the trailhead on the Dickey side. It was easily bypassed in the open woods.
There was a bit of snow in the air all day and the views were very limited. Still it was a fun hike and a good option on what was a very windy day.
The trail starts out with a light coating of snow over ice. The snow picks up a bit as you go up but except for drifts does not seem to be much more than 6 to ten inches higher up. Except for the occasional drifting the trail was hard packed.
There was no wind today until the first open ledge on Welsh. At that point it was moderate but not strong. From that point up the wind came and went depending on exposure. It was was strong enough on the summit of Welsh to rock you a bit and I could only imagine what it would be like on the high exposed peaks.
The steep open ledges on Welsh had a pretty good layer of snow and traction was not a problem. From the first open ledge on Welsh until you finally left the ledges on Dickey there were occasional drifts up to a foot or perhaps a little more. It was never difficult to get through and the drifts filled back in almost the moment you lifted your foot.
From near the summit of Dickey down to the end of the ledges there were also a lot of bare windswept ledges.
Snowshoes were not necessary today and in fact would be of little use except for traction. Microspikes would be helpful but I would recommend using an old pair if you have them as there is a lot of bare rock especially on Dickey.
There was just one blowdown on the entire route and that not far from the trailhead on the Dickey side. It was easily bypassed in the open woods.
There was a bit of snow in the air all day and the views were very limited. Still it was a fun hike and a good option on what was a very windy day.
