yogi
New member
Avalon-Field-Willey-(Field)-Tom
This was my first time out in the winter (other than Tuck's) in over 10 years. I had originally planned on a traverse up Kendron and down Avalon with a road walk back to the car. This is the trip I did 13 years ago although I took the tracks back to the car then (trestles were a trip). I don't like backtracking, but I hate getting pelted with dirty salt water even more so decided to leave from Highland, out and back.
I wore crampons from the start. I like the reduced effort of slipping all the time, and I don't like stopping to don gear on the trail if not absolutely necessary. They were a PIA for the first 1/2 mile or so but after that worked perfectly. Yogi had no problems at all and I would recommend this hike for anyone looking for something dog friendly.
I had never been on Avalon before, having always used Willey range to A-Z. Awesome views from the summit, although a little socked in. I will have go get back up here on a clear day. There is one pretty icy section on the scramble up the Avalon spur that requires spikes of some sort, although you could probably work around it with a little whacking.
The mile or six from Avalon up to Field is relentless. It's hard pack with great traction, but steady up. At this point I was wondering if I had it in me to make it to Willey, and had all but written off Tom. But after some hot soup and kibble for Yogi on Field we felt energized and off to Willey we went.
I love the section of trail between Willey and Field. The last time I was on this stretch of trail was 1999, and I remember how much I enjoyed it, although I had much better views back then than I did than today.
Willey and the outlook were uneventful. Socked in, I didn't stay long. At this point I was feeling great and amazed at how peaceful it was up here. The parking lot was cold and windy, but it was like a completely different, quiet world at 4000', usually just the opposite.
The section of Willey Range Trail from Field to A-Z was nice and smooth and fast. I assume there is some nice flat ice under the hardpack as I don't remember it being this flat when I was up here last summer. We jogged this section and Yogi was having a blast playing in the powder.
The slog up Tom was just that. My legs were getting spent (jogging in crampons probably didn't help). The rock scrambles were icy but nothing major and could have been bare booted with some care. Some fairly nice views down into Zealand Notch but limited.
Back at the intersection there were a set of footprints, (first I had seen all day) heading from Zealand down towards Crawford. Two people bare booting and it looked like they were have a blast butt sliding down the trail. I never did see them, and I was cruising, so they must have been really moving. I did not see anyone the entire day, other than a group of kids heading up Willard on the way out (at 2:30, a little late?)
All and all a great day. I never expected to bust out 10 miles on my first winter in 10 years. And to do it in 6 hours, I was pretty happy with myself. So I treated myself to a Moat Imperial Stout on the way home, yum.
This was my first time out in the winter (other than Tuck's) in over 10 years. I had originally planned on a traverse up Kendron and down Avalon with a road walk back to the car. This is the trip I did 13 years ago although I took the tracks back to the car then (trestles were a trip). I don't like backtracking, but I hate getting pelted with dirty salt water even more so decided to leave from Highland, out and back.
I wore crampons from the start. I like the reduced effort of slipping all the time, and I don't like stopping to don gear on the trail if not absolutely necessary. They were a PIA for the first 1/2 mile or so but after that worked perfectly. Yogi had no problems at all and I would recommend this hike for anyone looking for something dog friendly.
I had never been on Avalon before, having always used Willey range to A-Z. Awesome views from the summit, although a little socked in. I will have go get back up here on a clear day. There is one pretty icy section on the scramble up the Avalon spur that requires spikes of some sort, although you could probably work around it with a little whacking.
The mile or six from Avalon up to Field is relentless. It's hard pack with great traction, but steady up. At this point I was wondering if I had it in me to make it to Willey, and had all but written off Tom. But after some hot soup and kibble for Yogi on Field we felt energized and off to Willey we went.
I love the section of trail between Willey and Field. The last time I was on this stretch of trail was 1999, and I remember how much I enjoyed it, although I had much better views back then than I did than today.
Willey and the outlook were uneventful. Socked in, I didn't stay long. At this point I was feeling great and amazed at how peaceful it was up here. The parking lot was cold and windy, but it was like a completely different, quiet world at 4000', usually just the opposite.
The section of Willey Range Trail from Field to A-Z was nice and smooth and fast. I assume there is some nice flat ice under the hardpack as I don't remember it being this flat when I was up here last summer. We jogged this section and Yogi was having a blast playing in the powder.
The slog up Tom was just that. My legs were getting spent (jogging in crampons probably didn't help). The rock scrambles were icy but nothing major and could have been bare booted with some care. Some fairly nice views down into Zealand Notch but limited.
Back at the intersection there were a set of footprints, (first I had seen all day) heading from Zealand down towards Crawford. Two people bare booting and it looked like they were have a blast butt sliding down the trail. I never did see them, and I was cruising, so they must have been really moving. I did not see anyone the entire day, other than a group of kids heading up Willard on the way out (at 2:30, a little late?)
All and all a great day. I never expected to bust out 10 miles on my first winter in 10 years. And to do it in 6 hours, I was pretty happy with myself. So I treated myself to a Moat Imperial Stout on the way home, yum.
Last edited:
