"I would probably recommend this trip to a friend."
We went up and took the cutoff, short cut to the upper trailhead. The new outhouse at upper trailhead is beautifully done, fine woodworking and detailing. Hold your breath because when the road is open, idiots invade.
This early in the season, after 1998's heavy snowpack, parking was still about one mile below the lower trailhead and the snow was soft, especially later in the day. Ideal for postholing. If the fracture lines on the road where it is exposed were any indication, there would be little left of this road by final melt.
The big gully was still snow filled and there were some BIG cornices on the two snow fields above the big gully. Keep kids away from the edges. The summmit snow was higher than the summit rocks. This was my 14th ascent of Mt. E. and this is the most snow I have ever seen, even in winter.
The glissade was...well, come see for yourself.
We're going to Mt. Washington and that will be a long slough down the road. Might be easier to get to Mt. WA by doing the Elinor traverse...at least going up.
Three hours R/T from truck.
Note: This is backcountry wilderness travel. Any trail can become very dangerous in winter conditions. You are responsible for informing yourself of the hazards and taking the necessary precautions. Please read Terms of Use.