Meanwhile, I've got to hit the gym and easier CT/MA trails for a bit to build back up to hiking form. Was fun to get up and visit and hike in the Whites in winter, my first time ever, in April conditions at that, and it was good to confirm that I've pretty well assembled ample good quality gear for most winter conditions, but I'm a ways off being able to contend with any White 4K with only 9-10 hours daylight, much less reckon with harder, more standard winter conditions up there.
Winter IMO, especially early March to mid-march would be easier than April. April brings rotting snow and late in the month, the dreaded mono-rail. (the trail packed down my winter hikers melts last leaving a narrow band of snow and ice.) Rotting snow appears to be able to hold your weight but it melts from the bottom allowing you to fall through an icy crust, usually into water. The time right after we set the clocks ahead allows for more evening sunshine and is close to the Equinox.
(BTW, skipped Monadnock on favor or a fall hike hike with the entire family at Rocky Neck.)
If looking for some CT and MA hikes, (better than treadmill time but jogging and walking is always good providing joints can take it) Bear, Race and Everett can feel like NH after a front comes through, you'll need your micro-spikes. If looking for some easier snow free trails, several state parks along the shore offer trails that melt first or don't even get much snow and offer views of the sound. (not a lot of climbing so you could carry a heavy pack if training) Penwood and Talcott )as you probably know being close to them) are well traveled in winter and the trip up Talcott from (I think) Rt 189 is pretty steep but short, a natural stair climber.
The CT AT and Harriman State Park in NY melt out first and in April should be bug free there are other nice areas on the AT in Ct other than Bear and Lion's Head. Usually the Catskills, Greylock and Monadnock are next. (some depending on where the last spring storms track.) Monadnock may be bare on top first but just like the tall peaks of NH, snow and ice may linger just below treeline, In Monadnocks case a smaller band than in the Whites. In the Spring, open south facing trails through hardwoods melt out before evergreen lined north facing trails.
In the Whites, the last trails to melt out are usually the high wooded ridges. (the top of the Tri loop, Twinway between South Twin & Guyot and also between Guyot and Zealand, F-Ridge between Lincoln and Little Haystack, Garfield Ridge and Wildcat Ridge between the Wildcat Subpeaks. Getting up Whiteface from Ferncroft may not have much snow but the Rollins over to Passaconaway can be full of deep rotting snow in early may when the cliff is (mostly)clear of snow and ice.
