Mount Washington — Monday, May. 16, 2022

Attempted Mt. Washington as an afterwork conditioner. Left the parking lot around 4:30 PM on a Monday, turned back about half a mile from the top, back to the parking lot by 7:30. I saw one other person the entire hike. Overall, a great day out, even if I didn't make the summit.

Like other commentors have posted, the trail is definitely a stream at some points. Particularly a little past the turnoff to the "Semi-Wall" climbing area there is a washout/partially clogged drainpipe that is diverting half of a stream onto the trail. This section of trail is pretty badly washed out with lots of medium sized loose rocks, so take your time (This area could use a WTA trail day). Then again hire up as you reach around 3200 feet in elevation there is a stretch where you're walking in a stream that is pretty deep at times due to the snow melting out on the field above.

The trail was snow covered starting at around 3400 feet in elevation, just before you hit the state park boundary line. From that point until I turned around I was on snow and it looked like it would have continued to the summit. There was a boot path to follow, but as it was pretty late in the day the snow had softened up in most places so I was still postholing at times. Particularly crossing the exposed boulder fields around 3700 feet to 3800 feet, the boulders were starting to melt through in places and I broke through up to my hip into cavities under the surface a couple times. I would recommend waiting a couple week for this to melt out a little more or going earlier in the day when the snow is firmer. I didn't have any spikes with me, but definitely would have worn them if I had, particularly when the trail got into deeper trees and the snow crusted up.

This is a fun trail, with some cool cliff formations that are dripping and running water with little waterfalls this time of year. I will definitely be back later in the year and when I can take a full day to make it to the summit and explore more.