The trail had a five foot base of snow
As Matt and I emerged through the tree line of the trail up to the summit of Mount Liberty, we found ourselves looking down on the icy forest below. The world around us was blanketed by a thick layer of snow.
Before starting our journey, we had found reports online that the trail had a five foot base of snow. This was a startling figure to comprehend. How could so much snow accumulate on a mountain? How would we be able to find the trail if all the trail markers were underneath a pile of snow? What sort of challenges would we find in pursuing the summit on a day when we were expected to get even more snow?
Upon arriving in the parking lot that day to begin our journey up the mountain, we found that we weren't the first ones daring enough to make it up the snow covered hill. Despite the fact that we were going into a tunnel of frozen trees, the journey up was well marked by our predecessors.
Looking around at the trees on the way up the mountain, we could see that they were buried in snow at least a few feet up their trunks. One of the most startling realizations of the depth of the snow was a picnic table that was heaped upon with the full five feet of snow that had been reported. What we didn't yet realize was what this snowy world would look like from above.
We didn't yet realize what this snow world would look like from above.
The trees on Mount Liberty had frozen in the direction of these infamous winds.
What we witnessed above the tree line was miles and miles of snow covered trees. Each one encrusted with a few inch coating of frozen powder. The cascading mountainside of green pines with wind whistling through their boughs was enshrouded in snow. It was absolutely beautiful to see.
The trees weren't only covered in snow, but they were also blown sideways. The White Mountains are well known in the meteorological community for Mount Washington's wind. The fastest land wind speed ever recorded by man was 231 mph at the observatory atop Mount Washington. The trees on Mount Liberty had frozen in the direction of these infamous winds.
It was this same wind that brought Matt and I down from the mountain. The temperature with the wind chill was well into the -20s; and after getting above the tree line, we were significantly more exposed to the elements. After taking some time to capture the beauty of the snow covered world we found ourselves in, we began our descent back through the icy forest.
Our hike up Mount Liberty would not have been possible without the work that is done by the Appalachian Trail Conservancy to maintain the trails of that great path. Find out more about this month's partner non-profit here.
Awesome story Ben and fabulous pictures!!! You guys are doing a great job and I am anxious to see your next adventure! Keep up the good work! Though I am not able to financially help you guys know that you are in my daily prayers. You are doing God’s work and I am proud of you.