Outdoor Diversion: Wintry Trail Conditions on Whiteface and Passaconaway

Summits: Mount Whiteface (4,020'), Mount Passaconaway (4,043')

Trail route: Blueberry Ledge Trail, Rollins Trail, Dicey's Mill Trail

Trail conditions: Dry trail, wet trail, snow increased with elevation gain up to 12+ inches, sloppy slush on the way down

Weather: Cool, temps above freezing, cloudy sky with some breaks of sunshine

Total miles: 11.9

Total time: 7:35

It was going to be an interesting day of hiking after a recent Nor'easter dropped 12+ inches of snow on the mountains. I would be hiking with Jim, Amy, Jill, and Robin. We were hoping that the trail was going to be broke out.

This is one of my longest drives to a 4,000 foot trailhead, almost two hours to the Ferncroft parking lot. Since the last time I was here it has been widened to allow more vehicles in the actual lot and not parked beside the road. There was plenty of parking available. We started our hike around 8:00 AM.

It was bare ground to start. With increased elevation came an increase in snow depth. Just over a mile up the trail I put on microspikes for some added traction in the snow. It is a steady climb up to the series of ledges before the summit.

The ledges proved to be challenging with a layer of several inches of snow. The microspikes did their job and we had a fun time scrambling up the ledges. When we reached the top of the ledges it was apparent that we were about to get wet from the snow that had accumulated in the trees. I put on a waterproof layer.

As we continued on the Rollins Trail there was a deep trough from previous hikers that we walked through. It was nice to have that broke out. Snow bombs and tree rain were falling on us and it was a wet hike to the Dicey's Mill Trail.

At the the trail junction some of us dropped our packs before climbing to the summit of Mount Passaconaway. It was a good hike up with the usual boulders and ledges being covered in snow actually making it easier than usual. Up at the Passaconaway outlook I noticed the trees are growing up into the view area and it won't be much longer before the view is obscured.

We had the summit to ourselves. With temps above freezing the snow increased its melting off the trees. We started our descent and it would be all downhill from here. Back at the trail junction we picked up our packs and continued down.

It wasn't long before the trail turned into a slushy mess. Even with the microspikes our feet were slipping and sliding with every step. We got to the water crossing and we all crossed on the large log, except Robin who chose the rock hopping route. We all made it across without any slips or falls.

Past the water crossing the snow was disappearing and it was soon wet and muddy. The microspikes came off. Further down the trail all the snow was gone and the trail was dry, it was a great relief to not be slipping and sliding anymore.

There were many cars back at the parking lot which was not surprising as we saw quite a few hikers along the way during our hike. This was my 9th time hiking these summits and now need 3 more times to grid them out. Jill did grid them out today having now hiked them in every month of the year.

While somewhat tough trail conditions it was nice to be out for a hike today and enjoyed having good company along!

Enjoy the photos and video!