NeoAkela
Active member
Date of Hike: 01/26/2012
Trail Conditions: Accent from Appalachia via Valley Way/Scar Trail & Loop/Air Line. Hard packed snow and ice sidewalk on Valley Way. Scar Trail not used for a while - thin crust over 3-4 inches of powder, but easy to follow. Air Line also well packed out. Treeline to Gulfside bare rocks with ice flows in-between - no dangerous areas. Easy "bushwhack" across the slope from Gulfside to Star Lake - thick styrofoam crust over everything. Valley Way for descent was also well packed, some icy flows but nothing microspikes could not handle.
Special Equipment Required: Used Microspikes the entire day. Brought crampons but never felt the need to put them on, even on the dicey parts. Snowshoes would have been nice on the mile over Durand Scar, but the postholing was minimal and anywhere else 'shoes would have been a hindrance.
Comments: Great "stroll" up the high ridges to visit one of my favorite spots, Star Lake. No wind, lots of sunshine. Did not need to break out any layers today. Could have hit Madison and Adams but have done that enough - besides, the view from the lake was breathtaking enough. Spent an hour "ice skating" and enjoying the views. Start time 10:15, back to the car by 4. Easier hiking today than any Summer day by far. Was a bit nervous about Durand Ridge, but there were no dangerous icy drops along the crest, and plenty of bare rocks to step on. View from Durand Scar was fine, but far overshadowed by the views from the ridge itself.
Met many nice folks along the way, including one group who photographed a moose at the hut! Was pushing to get back before dark, so did not stay to talk long. Several VFTT stickers in the parking lot - hope everyone had a good time!
Guessing this report will mean squat after tonight's storm....
Your name: NeoAkela
Trail Conditions: Accent from Appalachia via Valley Way/Scar Trail & Loop/Air Line. Hard packed snow and ice sidewalk on Valley Way. Scar Trail not used for a while - thin crust over 3-4 inches of powder, but easy to follow. Air Line also well packed out. Treeline to Gulfside bare rocks with ice flows in-between - no dangerous areas. Easy "bushwhack" across the slope from Gulfside to Star Lake - thick styrofoam crust over everything. Valley Way for descent was also well packed, some icy flows but nothing microspikes could not handle.
Special Equipment Required: Used Microspikes the entire day. Brought crampons but never felt the need to put them on, even on the dicey parts. Snowshoes would have been nice on the mile over Durand Scar, but the postholing was minimal and anywhere else 'shoes would have been a hindrance.
Comments: Great "stroll" up the high ridges to visit one of my favorite spots, Star Lake. No wind, lots of sunshine. Did not need to break out any layers today. Could have hit Madison and Adams but have done that enough - besides, the view from the lake was breathtaking enough. Spent an hour "ice skating" and enjoying the views. Start time 10:15, back to the car by 4. Easier hiking today than any Summer day by far. Was a bit nervous about Durand Ridge, but there were no dangerous icy drops along the crest, and plenty of bare rocks to step on. View from Durand Scar was fine, but far overshadowed by the views from the ridge itself.
Met many nice folks along the way, including one group who photographed a moose at the hut! Was pushing to get back before dark, so did not stay to talk long. Several VFTT stickers in the parking lot - hope everyone had a good time!
Guessing this report will mean squat after tonight's storm....
Your name: NeoAkela
