My love affair with winter – it is everlasting – and so too are the options for outdoor fun.  As I write up this posting, there is no snow on the ground in Massachusetts so we must venture north to find it.  On Friday, February 17th, Jim and I will venture north for two days of hiking with an overnight at Zealand Hut and hiking out the next day. 

Our late morning escape will start at the head of the Avalon Trail near the AMC Highland Center/Crawford Depot in Breton Woods, NH.  We’ll hike up the Avalon trail (1.2 miles) to the A-Z trail (1.0 mile) where we’ll connect with the Mt. Tom Spur (.6 miles).  We’ll summit Mt. Tom then reconnect with the A-Z trail.  A short descent from the spur allows us to carry on along 2.7 miles of mostly moderate terrain which promises to deliver a birch forest, beaver pond and small water crossings until reaching Zealand Trail.  Zealand Hut is .4 miles from Zealand Trail.

Day 1:  6.5 miles with elevation gain from trail head to Mt. Tom approximately 2,250’.  Zealand Hut sits at 2,640’ a drop of 1,411’ from Mt. Tom.

Saturday morning we will breakfast and plan on leaving the hut for 8am.  We will hike back along the A-Z trail (2.7 miles) to the Wiley Range Trail just before the Mt. Tom spur.  We’ll hike along the Wiley Range (.9 miles) to Mt. Field (4,340’) then carry on 1.4 miles to Mt. Willey (4,285’).  From Mt. Willey we will retrace our steps back to Mt. Field and carry on down the Avalon Trail to summit Mt. Avalon and exit back where we started at the head of the Avalon Trail.

Day 2: 9.8 miles with elevation gain of approximately 2,500 feet between the hut and ups/downs to Mt. Willey.

This is a strenuous hike – prior experience is recommended.  We will hike at a moderate to healthy pace with the need for micro-spikes and/or snow shoes.  Snowfall(s) preceding this hike will determine the need for snow shoes and/or alternative route to the hut.  I will monitor weather leading up to the hike and trail conditions just prior to the trip.  This trip requires advance reservation for Friday evening at Zealand Hut.  At this time there is plenty of space, reserve early if you are interested.

If you are wondering why not a Saturday night overnight, it’s the start of school vacation week!  Friday evening promises to be busy but not full, Saturday was sold out.  A Friday start enables two days of hiking with Sunday to relax at home.

What to bring: 

Food:  Bring a lunch for Friday’s hike, snacks, dinner for Friday evening, breakfast for Saturday and snacks/Lunch for the hike out.  Sharing is caring so don’t be shy – when we arrive at the hut it is nice to have variety.  The last overnight at Carter Notch Hut we made a pork loin roast with assorted roasted veggies, we may repeat, one pan and easy cleanup!  We’ll have burned our calories all day long – eat and be happy!

Water:  Bring two or three liters (depending on how much you drink).  No hydration devices!!

Clothing:  No Cotton!  This is mid-winter, expect temps to vary from trail head to summit to hut.  Temps often range between zero to the 30’s.  Bring layers, gloves, hand warmers, face mask, head lamp and micro-spikes.  Inclement weather will cancel the trip but we do need to be prepared for unexpected changes in weather conditions.  I always bring a change of clothing for hanging in the hut.

Gear:  Bring your winter hiking layers, sleeping bag, head lamp, micro spikes, boots, socks, hand warmers, and anything else you want for this trek.

Crawford Depot is just next door to the AMC Highland Center located at 3575 US-302. Jefferson, NH  03583.  We’ll be driving a Grey Honda CRV with Massachusetts license plates.