"Unseasonably warm day. Started off bare booting since Reservation road was just wet pavement but after a couple of slips on the Bray Trail, went to microspikes. I left them on all of the way up even through there were large runs where they were not needed but then would come long patches if black ice without easy step arounds. Thought it best to not widen the trails by walking on eroding solid edges so left them on. ll trail signs were clear and blazes well marked. Didn't;t anticipate all of the extra distance I added because of the closed gate, so after summiting Whiting Peak, headed back down the Metacomet-Monadnock Trail to the visitor's center. This trail was less icy so took off the traction, although there were a couple of steep, slippery black ice patches on the way down.....definitely look before you step. Return walk down Reservation Rd. was pleasant, paralleling a rushing stream for a good part of the way. Saw a park official and asked when gates opened. He said "Sunrise to sunset but sometimes a little later." Today they opened around 8:15. " — rjnick • Jan 11, 2020