csprague
Member
Mt. Hale via Zealand Rd. and Hale Brook, 4/12/2011
Date of Hike: 4/12/2011
Zealand Rd is still closed, but completely snow free. The walking was easy but kinda long (about 3 miles each way from the parking area on 302).
Trail Conditions: Wet heavy snow but with a decently hard pack if you stay on the track. Very soft if you don't (and soft in places even on the track, but overall fine).
Special Equipment Required: Snowshoes absolutely essential, this would be impossible to bareboot at this time. Poles useful for the treacherous stream crossings (I used microspikes for traction on the wet rocks, but probably not an absolute necessity).
Comments: Stream crossings are rough right now. The snow bridge across the first crossing is collapsing and is very thin, and passes next to a waterfall, not a place you want to fall in. We spent considerable time looking for an alternative. If you're tall, you can rock hop next to the official trail. If not, you're better off crossing down-stream a little.
The second stream crossing had a fully collapsed snow bridge. The advantage of this is that, being already collapsed, it cannot do so again while you're on top of it. We went across with no problems, but it's melting fast.
Your name: csprague
Date of Hike: 4/12/2011
Zealand Rd is still closed, but completely snow free. The walking was easy but kinda long (about 3 miles each way from the parking area on 302).
Trail Conditions: Wet heavy snow but with a decently hard pack if you stay on the track. Very soft if you don't (and soft in places even on the track, but overall fine).
Special Equipment Required: Snowshoes absolutely essential, this would be impossible to bareboot at this time. Poles useful for the treacherous stream crossings (I used microspikes for traction on the wet rocks, but probably not an absolute necessity).
Comments: Stream crossings are rough right now. The snow bridge across the first crossing is collapsing and is very thin, and passes next to a waterfall, not a place you want to fall in. We spent considerable time looking for an alternative. If you're tall, you can rock hop next to the official trail. If not, you're better off crossing down-stream a little.
The second stream crossing had a fully collapsed snow bridge. The advantage of this is that, being already collapsed, it cannot do so again while you're on top of it. We went across with no problems, but it's melting fast.
Your name: csprague
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