drweo
New member
Climbed Wright on Friday, Oct 25. We could see from I-87 that there was snow on the high peaks. We anticipated a little snow but got a little more. Trails down low had a dusting to an inch and were mixed snow, mud, water. Amount of snow increased gradually as we climbed, and we soon also encountered ice, especially on the bare rock slabs on the trail. There were some other folks hiking and several of them were heading for Algonquin and a couple for Iroquois. We were the first to turn up Wright, where we put on the microspikes and needed them all the way to the summit cone where you emerge from the trees. Above there, rocks were bare-bootable, with only some rime ice beginning to form. We were in the clouds soon after starting up Wright Trail and got no views--it was all grey and white. Breezy as usual on top, wind about 20 mph or so. Temps were never above freezing till we were back down on the access trail in mid-late afternoon.
With strong chance of showers between now and the coming weekend, I would guess that the higher elevations will have more snow and ice in the coming days.
Gotta have microspikes. Snowshoes and full crampons not needed yet. Poles very helpful on steep spots covered with ice (and there are lots of them!); good winter layers necessary! No more warm autumn hikes unless we get a heat wave (which will give us more mud .
With strong chance of showers between now and the coming weekend, I would guess that the higher elevations will have more snow and ice in the coming days.
Gotta have microspikes. Snowshoes and full crampons not needed yet. Poles very helpful on steep spots covered with ice (and there are lots of them!); good winter layers necessary! No more warm autumn hikes unless we get a heat wave (which will give us more mud .
