View Full Version : Help in the white mountains NH.
Help in the white mountains NH.
Three of us and one child age 11 are planning to hike in the White Mountains in the middle of April of this year. We are leaving from New Jersey on a Thursday night, staying over in Lincoln, starting early on Friday, and leaving on Sunday. We plan to camp two nights. It has been about 12 years since we hiked last. In the past, we hiked in the Franconia Notch and I believe that we climbed up to the Little Haystack or Mt Liberty peak during November. We used one of the tent platforms on the way to the top for an overnight stay. We have pretty good equipment and have replaced or up graded anything else. I have a few questions. What is the weather like during this time of year? Are the trails crowded in mid April? If the areas to camp are taken, what alternatives are there? I have tried to find information but it has been difficult. Is this trip too difficult for a child of this age? Do you have any alternatives?
doug
Help in the white mountains NH.
Three of us and one child age 11 are planning to hike in the White Mountains in the middle of April of this year. We are leaving from New Jersey on a Thursday night, staying over in Lincoln, starting early on Friday, and leaving on Sunday. We plan to camp two nights. It has been about 12 years since we hiked last. In the past, we hiked in the Franconia Notch and I believe that we climbed up to the Little Haystack or Mt Liberty peak during November. We used one of the tent platforms on the way to the top for an overnight stay. We have pretty good equipment and have replaced or up graded anything else. I have a few questions. What is the weather like during this time of year? Are the trails crowded in mid April? If the areas to camp are taken, what alternatives are there? I have tried to find information but it has been difficult. Is this trip too difficult for a child of this age? Do you have any alternatives?
doug
Expect most any weather -- from balmy days to a late WINTER blizzard. Snow and ice probably will be common on the trails through early May, but only because of a mild winter. Most years you can expect such through late May.
Gear and physical condition are more important than age in my opinion. It's not a good time of year to practice ultra-light backpacking. I like to explore low mountains this time of year, places like the Caribou-Speckled Wilderness in Evans Notch on the Maine-New Hampshire border.
Weary
hey Doug, weather can be most unpredictable in the Whites. Fortunately we have had a mild winter with little snow. You will probably still encounter a bit of ice and snow though. During the day temps range bout 50-and up but remember the higher you go the colder and breezier it will be. Nites will be chilly. As for crowds? Not yet. You may find yourselves alone quite a bit. The action will really pick up in May for the most part. I suggest you be sure to make a check of all your gear and be sure you have what you need for the cold. Have fun & Happy Trails. Ripper
Accolada
04-01-2006, 15:08
Hey, I work for the Appalachian Mountain Club in Pinkham Notch (near to where you're going), and I know that if you call our trails and information desk, they'll answer any questions you have (they're very good!) The number is (603) 466-2721, ext. 116. Hope that helps. Have fun!
There are some helpful weather links on the Mt. Washington Observatory web site. Click on Norms, Means and Extremes for what’s possible and check the Backcountry Weather Archives daily for current info. There are timely trail conditions reports on VFTT and lots of White Mountain hiking info there and on the AMC Bulletin Boards.
http://www.mountwashington.org/weather/index.php (http://www.mountwashington.org/weather/index.php)
http://www.viewsfromthetop.com/ (http://www.viewsfromthetop.com/)
http://appalachia.outdoors.org/bbs/ (http://appalachia.outdoors.org/bbs/)
~~~I have a few questions. What is the weather like during this time of year? Are the trails crowded in mid April? If the areas to camp are taken, what alternatives are there? I have tried to find information but it has been difficult. Is this trip too difficult for a child of this age? Do you have any alternatives?
doug
Doug,
Others have posted good comments about the unpredictability of the weather up here, this time of year. Let me give you an example.
Friday, the high temperature in Gorham reached 70*F. It certainly felt like spring. Last night, on the summit of Mt. Washington, the temperature dropped into the single numbers. The wind is currently blowing at Category Two Hurricane strength, and building. That's quite a change from the record breaking heat we saw just two days ago.
I was out on the trail yesterday. Here's what you can expect at higher elevations, 10 days from now, when you plan to visit. There will be mud near the bottom, if the temperature is above freezing. You will encounter ice in places, that will require crampons. Depending on the temperature and the trail you use, you could be postholing, knee-deep in corn snow.
Mud season is considered an undesireable time to backpack in the Whites. The trails will not be crowded (unless you visit Tuckerman's Ravine, where skiers flock every spring). The conditions you'll encounter this time of year, are a crapshoot. If I were you, I'd shorten my drive by 12 hours, round-trip, and spend a few nights on the Trail near you, or in southern New England. Wait until May, before coming to the Whites. June is even better.
Sparkplug
04-02-2006, 08:00
Doug,
As others have said, although it seems we've had a low snow year, there is still likely to be snow at higher elevations in the Whites, and weather can be unpredictable. Bring lots of cold weather clothes, just in case, and be prepared to do perhaps shorter days mileage-wise than you would think, due to snow/ice/weather, just to be safe. I would highly recommend checking out www.viewsfromthetop.com. You can post questions in the forum and also look at other people's trail reports from trips they've done to get an idea of what it's like out there.
Regardless of where you end up hiking in the Whites, be safe and have fun :-)
-Sparkplug
Doug,
As others have said, although it seems we've had a low snow year, there is still likely to be snow at higher elevations in the Whites, and weather can be unpredictable. Bring lots of cold weather clothes, just in case, and be prepared to do perhaps shorter days mileage-wise than you would think, due to snow/ice/weather, just to be safe. I would highly recommend checking out www.viewsfromthetop.com (http://www.viewsfromthetop.com). You can post questions in the forum and also look at other people's trail reports from trips they've done to get an idea of what it's like out there.
Regardless of where you end up hiking in the Whites, be safe and have fun :-)
-Sparkplug
For the webcams and other current info here:
http://www.mountwashington.org/cam/index.php
Summit Conditions as of 8:57 AM EST
Temp 13.1°F
Wind W85 MPH
Gust 96 MPH
WC -12°F
I know that in Vermont they encourage hikers to stay off of the trails during mudseason (http://www.timesargus.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060326/NEWS/603260331/1015). Do they do the same thing in NH?
I know that in Vermont they encourage hikers to stay off of the trails during mudseason (http://www.timesargus.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060326/NEWS/603260331/1015). Do they do the same thing in NH?
Not that I am aware of. One of the "reasons" is that the geology is a little different in New Hampshire, even though it's right next door. Another reason is that the popluar trails have been "hardened."
But, it's still a good time of the year to stay off the trails, and I wish that AMC & NH would follow GMC's and Vermont's example.
Visit here for current trail conditions:
http://www.viewsfromthetop.com/
You can have a great hike in the whiles in April, but selecting the right trail (one which meets your excpectations and ability) is important. Sometimes you can startout on a trail (and I am not talking about one with miles above treeline, either) which looks very inviting at the trailhead, but where post-holingand or slippery conditions will effect your enjoynment a couple miles in once you add some elevation.
You got a ton of good options, but I'd check out the trail conditions page with my maps in hand,then ask the vftt people to help with the fine tuning.
i'd skip it. 85mph winds are enough to send that 11 year old tumbling. i know because i've literally been knocked over by a gust of wind near webster cliffs. the rest of the day was hiking with my poles dug in to keep me upright. go check out dragon's tooth or mcafee's in va, or the dwg in nj (the bears might be a little hungry this time of year though for dwg). if you must come north check out camden or acadia, coastal mountains are a sure bet for ice free trails this time of year.
i know it's been nice out here for like a month but the whites has it's own weather system.
I hiked Speckled Mt on the edge of the Whites last weekend, still upwards of two feet of snow and glare ice near the summit! If you're gonna hike in Maine & New Hampshire this time of year, better be prepared for anything!