Presidential Range

Triggering an avalanche is unlikely on firm and icy snow surfaces. Use extra caution in steep terrain, where falls can be deadly on a hard, slick snowpack with exposed rocks, ice, and trees below. Bring your crampons, ice axes, and the skills to use them to help prevent a fall.

At middle and upper elevations, expect to find a hard, icy snowpack that is unlikely to produce an avalanche. In the most wind-sheltered areas, small pockets of wind-drifted snow have collected on top of a slick, firm crust. Continue to make slope-specific assessments where you find any soft snow and be aware of the consequences of triggering even a small avalanche in steep terrain.

While the refrozen snowpack greatly reduces the chances for an avalanche, the risk of taking a long sliding fall is significant. Traveling on steep snow slopes today will require the use of crampons (not microspikes), an ice axe, and a well-practiced ability to move carefully to prevent a fall. Also understand that the snow surface in many places may be too hard for “self-arrest” to stop a fall, at best it may only slow you down. Prevent a fall from happening by using precise, secure foot placements and careful balance along with using one or two ice axes for added security. 

In steep, low-elevation terrain, watch for shedding snow and ice as warm temperatures persist during the day. The low amount of snow at these elevations will limit the risk of significant avalanche hazard, but it is worth considering if you encounter wet, soft snow in steep terrain. 

The Lion Head Summer Trail is CLOSED due to increased avalanche hazard. The Lion Head Winter Route is OPEN and the most direct route to the Mount Washington Summit from Pinkham Notch. 

OBSERVATIONS: Please consider submitting an observation of what you are seeing in your travels. Submitting an observation hones your skills, informs other users, and improves our forecasts.