Whiteface and Esther (4-3-10)

[TMax]

Trail Conditions: Went up from the ASRC. The trail up Marble Mountain was atrocious! Practically a river. Large quantities of water running down and at the lowest level is completely exposed. As you get a little higher there is still some snow cover but you break through regularly to as much as 8 inches of running water. By the time you get just below the top, the cover is still solid. Rest of the way to Whiteface has a pretty good trail. No spine coming through yet but if you step off the main trail you'll drop in pretty deep. There were postholes that were deeper than three feet. Lots of blow down too. Herd path to Esther is in rougher shape with the spine coming through in places. Found a few deep spruce traps. Snow all over is like a melting snowcone. You could hear the water running underneath the snow in many areas.

Equipment: Snowshoes are absolutely necessary!

Comments: Beautiful day. Topofgothics and I sat on top of Whiteface for almost two hours in shirt sleeves. Got sunburned too. This is April??

 

[Peakbagr]

Nice and useful TR. Thanks.

Alan