Summit: Mount Tom (4,051'), Mount Field (4,340'), Mount Avalon (3,442')
Trail route: Avalon Trail, A-Z Trail, Mt Tom Spur, Willey Range Trail
Trail conditions: Wet and wetter trails with sections of mud
Weather: Cloudy, cool, humid, breezy on the summits
Total miles: 7.2
Total time: 4:15
Showers and thunderstorms were forecast for the entire weekend. While it was hot and humid on Saturday there was very little rain during the day. Sunday morning appeared to have a window of opportunity for hiking. My plan was to hike Mount Tom and if there was no rain I would hike over to Mount Field, down to Mount Avalon and back out. Mount Willey would have to wait until next June as thunderstorms were forecast to arrive around noontime.
The summits were in the clouds when I arrived at the Crawford Depot. I was soon on the trail. As I got up to the Mt. Tom Spur there was a gray mist permeating the forest. The air was cool but humid. Biting insects were almost non-existent. It was a quick trip up to the summit of Mt. Tom. A group of hikers arrived after me. They told me a moose had crossed behind me on the A-Z Trail. I had not seen or heard it.
My stay on the summit was brief and I began the descent to the Willey Range Trail. I met more hikers coming up Tom as I went down. It was a pleasant hike across the Willey Range Trail to Mount Field. The cloud cover was hanging tough and once again there were no views on the summit. This was my turn around point. Another brief summit stay and then I began my descent. All trails were wet today from recent rain, some wetter than others. There was also some good sections of mud along the way.
When I got to the Mount Avalon spur trail it looked like I was below the clouds and that I might be able to get some views from the top of Mount Avalon. So I did the 100 yards to the summit and was rewarded with some partial views, better than nothing. It was here that I heard my first rumble of thunder off in the distance. With the upper cloud cover I could not see any approaching storms. I decided to make a hasty descent to try and beat any storms that might be bearing down on this area.
I met many hikers on their way up as I was going down. I kept hearing thunder and was glad to be on my way out. I arrived back at the parking lot as light rain was starting to fall. Off in the distance a large dark cloud was approaching with flashes of lightning and thunder. I call that great timing and will return to hike Mount Willey next June.
Enjoy the photos and videos!
Low cloud cover on the Presidential summits
Heading up into the clouds from Crawford Depot
The hike starts here
Easy water crossing
Crossing a small cascade
The loop starts here
Hairpin turn on the A-Z Trail
Mossy brook
Standing in the gloomy gray at the Mount Tom Spur
Bunchberry and blue bead lilies
On the gray summit of Mount Tom
Wet bog bridge
A "view" from the summit of Mount Field
My turn around point at the Mount Field summit cairn
Descending Mount Field
Crooked tree
Mount Avalon up ahead
The trails were wet and wetter
There were partial views from Mount Avalon
The Highland Center from Mount Avalon
A cloud covered Mount Webster
Weather fit for a slug
Lady Slipper
Took the side path to Beecher and Pearl Cascades
Beecher and Pearl Cascades
Back at the Crawford Depot
Lupines in bloom
Thunderstorm approaching after the hike
Having Fun in the Great Outdoors!
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