Distance

9.0 mi to summit

16.2 mi total

Elevation

no info yet

Vertical

3,881 ft gain

Time

1 hr 45 min to summit

5 hr 45 min total

Enjoyed a nice winter hike to climb Don, Emmons and Seward today. Temps were brisk in the am with a forecast of mid-teens and then a storm coming in late in the day. As it turned out the winds would pick up by mid morning and the storm would be upon us by noon which made for some tough conditions. Headed in via the horse trail to Caulkins Brook HP (roughly 3 miles) then up to Donaldson (~ 6 miles in), over to Emmons( ~7 miles in) back to Don and over to Seward (~ 8.5 miles in) and down to Ward Brook and out (~ 5 miles once at Ward Brook junction). All trails were broken out except Seward which was windblown due to the storm. CB trail up to Don is a nice easy trail, Don to Emmons and back has a few dips which are fun and some nice views, small boundary peak in between Don and Seward and a short steep section which was well iced in when we were there. Trail down Seward to Ward Brook was tight with branches and blow down and has never been a favorite for us but the Ward Brook trail out was nicely trenched and is a long flat trip to the car. Movign a bit slower than typical, roughly 16.3 miles to summer trailhead (luckily still open and passable with 4WD for us this late) in ~11 hours with only a few excursions for side trails and views.

Obstacles

snow on route

Key gear

crampons, snowshoes