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Mt. Field, Mt. Willey, Mt. Tom
Carroll, NH, Bethlehem, NH
Trailheads, measurements, times, distances, and maps are all approximate and relative to the hike(s) as shown below.
Looking up the Willey Range Trail near the Mt. Field summit
Route: Avalon Trail, (spur trail to summit), (Mt. Avalon), (spur trail from summit), Avalon Trail, Willey Range Trail, (Mt. Field), Willey Range Trail, (Mt. Willey), Willey Range Trail, (Mt. Field), Willey Range Trail, A-Z Trail, Mt. Tom Spur Trail, (Mt. Tom), Mt. Tom Spur Trail, A-Z Trail, Avalon Trail
After a somewhat rough day in the Osceolas, the Tom-Field-Willey Range looked like an attractive hike. Arriving at the Webster-Jackson Trail parking area, it was cold, windy, and snowy. After doing the roadwalk to the Avalon Trail trailhead, we decided to bareboot as long as we could, as the trail looking to be rather well packed (and was).
The first water crossing was somewhat interesting, as someone had recently (since my last visit a month and a half earlier) pulled some of the random old pipes in the woods together and created a partial bridge. At the other end of it, the brook had partially frozen, making a fairly easy crossing.
Reaching the A-Z junction, we decided to put on snowshoes, as the Avalon Trail above this point looked to be a bit slippery. The new inch or two of snow (with 1-2' drifts in a few places) covered up some rather slippery frozen granular, packed down by buttsliders.
Since things were looking to be socked in, we skipped Mt. Avalon and continued up to Mt. Field along the now somewhat badly postholed trail. The Mt. Field viewpoint offered limited views due to the light snow, however the white trees all around were nonetheless scenic.
After regrouping at the summit, we made our way down the Willey Range Trail to Mt. Willey. A few sections of the trail had drifted nicely - fortunately I had been out on this stretch a few times before, as the trail was virtually gone in a few key turns (which could really use some blazes). Just prior to reaching the Mt. Willey summit, we were treated to some decent views of Mt. Carrigain, which was donning a small cloud around its summit.
Beyond the Mt. Willey summit, we headed down to the other viewpoint, just in time to see some blue sky and, surprisingly, Mt. Washington and Mt. Jefferson peaking out from the clouds and fog! What a sight!
Back on the Willey Range Trail, we worked our way back up to Mt. Field and then over to Mt. Tom. Temperatures and visibility seemed to be dropping, whilst the winds were picking up slightly. Thus, as has been my luck for 60% of my Mt. Tom trips, I had no views.
We made fairly decent time on the descent, keeping our snowshoes on until reaching the railroad tracks.
Hike Ratings |
Getting To Trailhead: |
Easy |
Destination: |
Mt. Field |
Length: |
Moderate |
Steepness: |
Difficult |
Navigation: |
Easy |
Views: |
Moderate due to weather |
Crowds: |
Minimal |
Destination: |
Mt. Willey |
Length: |
Moderate |
Steepness: |
Difficult |
Navigation: |
Moderate |
Views: |
Excellent |
Crowds: |
Minimal |
Destination: |
Mt. Field |
Length: |
Moderate |
Steepness: |
Difficult |
Navigation: |
Easy |
Views: |
Minimal due to weather |
Crowds: |
Minimal |
Destination: |
Mt. Tom |
Length: |
Moderate |
Steepness: |
Difficult |
Navigation: |
Easy |
Views: |
Minimal due to weather |
Crowds: |
Minimal |
|
Hike Stats |
Date Hiked: |
Wednesday, December 31, 2008 |
Hike Commenced: |
9:31 AM |
Parking Elevation: |
1,900' |
Destination: |
Mt. Field |
Ascent Commenced: |
9:38 AM |
Summit Reached: |
11:30 AM |
Time Elapsed: |
01:52 |
Trailhead Elevation: |
1,900' |
Summit Elevation: |
4,340' |
Distance: |
2.8 miles |
Vertical Gain: |
2,542' |
Destination: |
Mt. Willey |
Ascent Commenced: |
11:37 AM |
Summit Reached: |
12:26 PM |
Time Elapsed: |
00:49 |
Trailhead Elevation: |
4,340' |
Summit Elevation: |
4,285' |
Distance: |
1.4 miles |
Vertical Gain: |
465' |
Destination: |
Mt. Field |
Ascent Commenced: |
12:30 PM |
Summit Reached: |
1:11 PM |
Time Elapsed: |
00:41 |
Trailhead Elevation: |
4,285' |
Summit Elevation: |
4,340' |
Distance: |
1.4 miles |
Vertical Gain: |
520' |
Destination: |
Mt. Tom |
Ascent Commenced: |
1:11 PM |
Summit Reached: |
1:49 PM |
Time Elapsed: |
00:38 |
Trailhead Elevation: |
4,340' |
Summit Elevation: |
4,051' |
Distance: |
1.5 miles |
Vertical Gain: |
411' |
|
|
Hike Ended: |
3:05 PM |
Hike Time Elapsed: |
05:34 |
Hike Distance: |
9.8 miles |
Hike Vertical Gain: |
3,978' |
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The Avalon Trail trailhead next to the train station
Limited views from the Mt. Field viewpoint
The drifted Willey Range Trail to Mt. Willey
Looking at Mt. Washington from one of the Mt. Willey viewpoints
The Mt. Tom Spur Trail
Looking into the clouds from the Mt. Tom summit
Directions to trailhead: Take Route 302 west from Bartlett, NH. In the winter, at least, there is sometimes-plowed parking next to the train station and at the Webster-Jackson lot. Trailhead is across the tracks from the train station.
Back to Mt. Field Profile
Back to Mt. Willey Profile
Back to Mt. Tom Profile
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