Ed'n Lauky
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- Feb 15, 2007
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Trails: Blueberry ledge, Rollins, Dicey's Mill.
All three trails were packed out hard. Blueberry Ledge was hard packed and smooth from bottom to top and pretty much clear of obstacles. The upper ledges are pretty much packed in with snow. There was one ledge where I had to grab hold of a tree to pull myself up but other than that the ledges could be negotiated without much difficulty. There were however a couple of long steep pitches near the top that looked like they could be a bit dicey when going down. You would be alright as long as you maintained traction but if you started to slide you could go over the ledge with nothing to grab hold of. There is one 'no fall' spot which is not difficult to get through, but it's not a spot to get careless. I would definitely recommend doing this loop in the clockwise direction. Generally speaking, with traction, you can get up OK.
Never in my wildest dreams did I ever imagine the Rollins trail being packed out as it was today. Two weeks ago when we were up there it wasn't even broken out. It was hard packed and smooth and actually easier than in the summer. There are numerous blowdowns which generally are easily passed. The one bad blowdown section has been very nicely bypassed with an unusually long detour. That detour is well defined and well packed out. The one thing to watch out for was banging your head on the branches. My hat got knocked off four times.
The Dicey's Mill trail is also hard packed from bottom to top but it is not smooth. It has been chewed up and post holed and you have to watch your step. All that being said, it's still smoother than in the summer. The water in the stream crossing is low--thankfully. I had decided to walk across the tree and thought Lauky would follow me, but he decided to ford the stream. That worked fine until I was about two thirds of the way across when he suddenly decided to veer to the left. Since we're attached that was the end of my tree crossing. Yanked off balance I had no choice but to jump.
Fortunately the water was low and with a good pair of boots I didn't get wet feet. From about 1600' down the trail is smoother as the snow base is too thin to post hole. Snowshoes were not needed today on any of the trails. Light traction was sufficient although if you were descending the ledges you might appreciate having crampons.
We left the trailhead this morning under blue skies and snow. (I don't explain it, I just report it.) There was about a half inch down low and an inch or more higher up of soft powder.
This was probably our last ever official winter hike in the Whites. I had intended to do it on Lincoln and Lafayette but decided at the last minute that it was just to cold and windy up there for my little guy. I think we made a good choice. It was a very pleasant hike which we both enjoyed.
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All three trails were packed out hard. Blueberry Ledge was hard packed and smooth from bottom to top and pretty much clear of obstacles. The upper ledges are pretty much packed in with snow. There was one ledge where I had to grab hold of a tree to pull myself up but other than that the ledges could be negotiated without much difficulty. There were however a couple of long steep pitches near the top that looked like they could be a bit dicey when going down. You would be alright as long as you maintained traction but if you started to slide you could go over the ledge with nothing to grab hold of. There is one 'no fall' spot which is not difficult to get through, but it's not a spot to get careless. I would definitely recommend doing this loop in the clockwise direction. Generally speaking, with traction, you can get up OK.
Never in my wildest dreams did I ever imagine the Rollins trail being packed out as it was today. Two weeks ago when we were up there it wasn't even broken out. It was hard packed and smooth and actually easier than in the summer. There are numerous blowdowns which generally are easily passed. The one bad blowdown section has been very nicely bypassed with an unusually long detour. That detour is well defined and well packed out. The one thing to watch out for was banging your head on the branches. My hat got knocked off four times.
The Dicey's Mill trail is also hard packed from bottom to top but it is not smooth. It has been chewed up and post holed and you have to watch your step. All that being said, it's still smoother than in the summer. The water in the stream crossing is low--thankfully. I had decided to walk across the tree and thought Lauky would follow me, but he decided to ford the stream. That worked fine until I was about two thirds of the way across when he suddenly decided to veer to the left. Since we're attached that was the end of my tree crossing. Yanked off balance I had no choice but to jump.
Fortunately the water was low and with a good pair of boots I didn't get wet feet. From about 1600' down the trail is smoother as the snow base is too thin to post hole. Snowshoes were not needed today on any of the trails. Light traction was sufficient although if you were descending the ledges you might appreciate having crampons.We left the trailhead this morning under blue skies and snow. (I don't explain it, I just report it.) There was about a half inch down low and an inch or more higher up of soft powder.
This was probably our last ever official winter hike in the Whites. I had intended to do it on Lincoln and Lafayette but decided at the last minute that it was just to cold and windy up there for my little guy. I think we made a good choice. It was a very pleasant hike which we both enjoyed.
[email protected]
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