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Hey all. I'm just curious if anyone has any info on the trail conditions around Keene/Keene Valley, Big Slide via the Garden in particular. I know about the trail condition sites, but those aren't always up to date and last time I used one I got screwed and was forced to turn back. With that said, anyone been on these trails since this past weekend (4/2/11)? Thanks in advance. Happy trails!

Have not been, but gotta be full on snow / packed trails

I'm thinking so as well...hopefully it's nice and packed down. Guess I'll take shoes and crampons just in case.

beaudittl wrote:I'm thinking so as well...hopefully it's nice and packed down. Guess I'll take shoes and crampons just in case.

Might as well...wouldn't want to get fined in case it's more than 8 inches deep, would you...

There is still allot of snow in the woods even near Lake Champlain. Very old stale snow. In the valley wherever the sun hits is getting pretty well melted out near the Lake. Add to that the higher elevations got a few inches of new snow earlier this week. Mt Mansfield looks very white right now, even on the sun exposed ridges. Just a frame of reference, I would expect Keene valley to be slightly colder. I would definitely carry snow shoes (and gaiters, water proof foot wear), especially with a warm weekend in the forecast, the deep snow up high could get pretty soft. Getting close to where you want to make sure you have a method to carry them on your pack as well. Any pack with compression side straps should work.

Views from the Top (www.viewsfromthetop.com) keeps a pretty active forum on trail conditions in the High Peaks.