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Our group of 7, including 5 kids ages 8-15, hiked the Pine Bend Brook Trail up to Middle Tripyramid and back on Monday, starting at 9am. Temps started in the mid-30's, and warmed to the mid-40's with full sun all day, and light wind. The trail had about 4-6" of firm snow down low, interspersed with occasional areas of dirt / mud in the open woods section, and 2-3 feet of snow at mid-higher elevations. With two cold nights before our hike, and 34 degrees at the trailhead, the snow was firm on top of a layer of hard packed snow all the way to the top. Snow in the woods up high had a hard crust which allowed easy travel anywhere, on or off trail, which was fun.
We found a great view spot in a small open snowfield about 50' to the left of the main trail on the flat section just before the final climb to N Tripyramid. It's probably not easily accessible in the summer, but now it's an easy walk on top of snow crust, with spectacular views to Mt. Washington.
Even though the surface 2" softened slightly as the day went on, the base below remained solid, and there was no postholing. We used microspikes up and down the steeps, and one member of our party barebooted the whole way with no trouble. We saw one other hiker using snowshoes.
The many water crossings (we counted 13 on the way down) were easy for adults, and only slightly challenging for kids with shorter legs. Rocks were a bit icy first thing, but were fine in the afternoon.
It was a great day to be out on the trails, and the kids had a blast playing in the snow.
We found a great view spot in a small open snowfield about 50' to the left of the main trail on the flat section just before the final climb to N Tripyramid. It's probably not easily accessible in the summer, but now it's an easy walk on top of snow crust, with spectacular views to Mt. Washington.
Even though the surface 2" softened slightly as the day went on, the base below remained solid, and there was no postholing. We used microspikes up and down the steeps, and one member of our party barebooted the whole way with no trouble. We saw one other hiker using snowshoes.
The many water crossings (we counted 13 on the way down) were easy for adults, and only slightly challenging for kids with shorter legs. Rocks were a bit icy first thing, but were fine in the afternoon.
It was a great day to be out on the trails, and the kids had a blast playing in the snow.
