Started the hike at 630 am. The temperature in the parking lot was 16 degrees (F). When it is in the teens i start layering. Bottom is thick wool socks, under armor leggings, long johns, rain pants as shell. Top is under armor cold gear base layer, fleece layer, then rain shell jacket. In my bag a pair of warmer backup socks & a heavier rain shell. I wore my fall hiking boots which are mid height, but with the snow predicted today it will be time to switch to insulated winter boot going forward.
Microspike were basically needed 5 minutes into the hike. The way that the water had frozen had made it so hard that it would not accept a microspike directly (no traction) in most cases. On the way down the ice was softening more & some parts of the trail could be stepped on directly. Beaver Brook can be treacherous.
All in all it was a choice day with 100% sunny skies. This always makes a cold day refreshing & in many cases bearable…
