Mt Tom: 4k #4 of 2019, May 13

We planned to hike Hale on Monday, just to cross it off the list.
BUT, Zealand Rd was still closed. (with Zealand Rd closed, it is a 2.5 mile hike to the trailhead. Not a big deal if you're planning on extra mileage, as Hale is a only a 4.4 mile hike. But we didn't feel like dealing with it.)
(this is mean to say, but we were planning to do Hale just to "check it off". nobody seems to get very excited about poor old Hale.)

So, down the road we went to Mt Tom. Not sure if anyone is excited about Tom, either..?

There was plenty of parking at Crawford Depot (like, one other car in the lot.) Monday Mid day May hiking is clearly the way to go. I'm still having flashbacks of the cars lining 302 in the summer.... Anyway, not on this day (it was also legit 1:30 on the afternoon, we are the weird afternoon hikers.)

Cross over the train tracks, and Avalon trail is right in front of you. Excellent conditions to begin
with.

Love the beech leafy woods

The dry trail did not last too long. First snow seen just before the half mile mark!

Hello, snow

And on this day, the snow was unrelenting. The on/off conditions of Waumbek were not to be found here- the snow was thick, deep, messy, and everywhere! (not at mile 0.5, but shortly thereafter!)

We busted out traction before mile one- hoping it would not be needed. But it was!

Monorail Monorail

We had several (4, I believe) stream crossings to contend with, all of which were doable.

Ellie used the fallen trees too!

After just over a mile, we took the A-Z trail to continue towards Mt. Tom. This trail had some steep sections, some very unstable monorail, and endless postholes (which we added to on the decent.)

Signs above snow is always a good sign. 

While the A-Z trail certainly is not treacherous by any stretch, it does have a few moderate sections and one short, steep section.

One of the moderate sections (on the way down) steeper than it looks

After a mile on A-Z we took the Mt. Tom spur- which was in good shape. Firm snow, pretty scenery, and some exposed rock (there is one little stretch of extremely hikable rock- not technical)

This short stretch was really enjoyable despite the dropping temps and increasing winds. I always like to see what winter does to the higher peaks- nothing good!!

A couple tough winters in the Whites

We happened across a brief no-snow stretch of trail, which the dog appreciated.

Brave hiker

A few stairs took us up the final stretch. Who knows how many stairs are buried under the snow! Maybe the whole trail is one big staircase!? (someone will have to get back to me on this.)

Hurry up Mah

And before we knew it? Another no fanfare summit!

No fanfare. Cairn buried. 

A few steps farther and we managed a view- the trees have grown too tall for much of anything.

Eric and Ellie, me on a tree to get this!

And then, down we went.
And it was a MESS!!!!!

Posthole much??

No real surprises for spring hiking but good lord, we could not stop sinking. (and the monorail is just too damn skinny/sketchy for snowshoes, so I can't think that would have been the solution!) We sank, and collapsed the snow, and fell off it, and it generally was a giant hysterical mess. We got soaked. But it was 46 degrees so we did not freeze to death (and we still had fun- it was not a bad hike! Just a shit mess.) I sunk to my hips with NO feet touching the ground below me, more times that I care to admit. And I am not a large woman....

Ellie got sick of watching me hoist myself out of the snow

Anyway. Eventually we made it back to some normal conditions, no worse for the adventure. Sopping wet feet but generally intact!
It was a good hike with some snow related challenges. We definitely laughed a lot! This one might not be for the perfect hike for beginners in winter conditions, but it would be a good choice for later in the season after you get your feet wet. So to speak.

Our feet were very wet.

Ellie had no problem staying awake for the finishers photo on this particular day, and she enjoyed a post hike bully stick (in the car, 46 degrees is too cold for our princess!) But she certainly fell asleep shortly after we been the drive home.

NOT TIRED AT ALL MOMMMMMM

Stats 

Total elevation: 4051 (getting slightly out of the 4000 barely single digits. but just slightly!) 

Strava data: (we take this with a grain of salt) 
-elevation climbed: 2,442
-miles covered: 5.4 (book is 5.8)
-elapsed time: 3:25 (this includes all stopped time. mostly falling in the snow...) (Book: 4:00)

Difficulty: Just on the moderate side of Moderate. Some incline to cope with, several non offensive river crossings, a tiny bit of trail that requires attention to the blazes (easy in winter- but heads up in summer to the final river crossing area.) Still all below treeline, generally forgiving trail, I expect this would be a busy trail in the summer months (zero hikers encountered today.)

Views: Limited, but ok-ish just past the low fanfare summit

Bugs: None

Dog friendly trail? Unless your dog won't cross streams.