We've gathered our favorite online resources for trail conditions, weather, and route beta in the White Mountains. Trips into the wild Whites, whether hours or days, on foot, rope, or snow, can present changing and challenging weather and trail conditions. Many adventurers in the region have their story to tell about that time things got a bit too hairy in the hills. Though those moments can make for great memories and valuable lessons, the dangers they present can be avoided with diligent research and preparation. Bookmark and refer to these often.

IMPORTANT NOTE: These resources are the best out there for gathering information on your next adventure. That said, it is up to you to make the right decision. Stay vigilant and heed your own sense of potential dangers while you're out there. The mountain, trail, crag, will always be there to be climbed another day.

The Mount Washington Observatory, situated atop it's name sake, is a trustworthy resource for current and upcoming weather conditions in the region. The Higher Summits forecast is updated throughout the day and will help you keep abreast of possible weather conditions during your trip. These reports will point out any weather patterns moving throughout the area that may present particular concern. If the report suggests that you stay off the summits, HEED THEIR WARNING! The meteorologists at the observatory are experts in the dangerous  conditions that sweep through the region. 

With pages for individual peaks and trails in the White Mountains as well as around New England, this is my go to for trail conditions. This site is regularly used by trail users in the area and so conditions are often updated daily. Even if you're not going out, it can be a fun spot to follow others' adventures.

Trails NH has a great map that can be used for trip planning and checking trail conditions in the White Mountains and other mountain regions in New England. Reports are organized by popular lists of peaks (NH 4000, NH 52, ME 4000, NY ADK46, etc.) and relate to the trails accessing those peaks. The map gives you the ability to overlay White Mountain trails, a very large proportion of New England Trails (though this option comes with a demo disclaimer), snow depth, river flow, and road conditions to boot. 

Check out this group for an on-going conversation about trail conditions and adventures on the NH 4,000 footers. If you are more than a few days out and can't find up to date trail conditions, post a question here and you're bound to get many quick responses. The group is made up of a wide range of adventurers including many that know these trails like the back of their hands and have likely made the mistakes you're hoping to avoid.

Views from the Top is a great reference for trail conditions and related topics around New England. The forum for New Hampshire topics is by far the most popular among those that use the site. In addition to good honest reflections on trail conditions (though less regular than the other sources), this is a good one for keeping up with current topics in Northeast mountaineering.

This is your go to for ice climbing conditions in the White Mountains. The site is meticulously updated and provides clear condition reports for the region's most popular spots. You'll also find a forum touching on a range of climbing topics and a gallery of details on rock routes.

This Facebook group is a wealth of knowledge on back country touring, primarily in the White Mountains. If you're looking for off-piste trail conditions this is a great place to ping the community that knows the most. Reach out with a question about conditions and your sure to get a number of responses based on recent experience and general knowledge of the area.

Winter is upon us! There are many winter sports to choose from in the great white North East, snowshoeing is a great one among them. We have a few  notable snowshoe races and series right here in the White Mountains as well as a number in Vermont. Whether you’re looking for a 3k to get your feet wet (and cold) or test your limits with a 100 miler, you’ll find what you’re looking for here.

The list of races below is divided into those in the White Mountains region and others in New England. This is not an exhaustive list and may be missing a few that we didn’t come across in our search. If you know of a race that we’ve grievously overlooked, let us know! ​

A more perfect day couldn’t have been dreamt of for the revamp of the Black Bear Half Marathon in Waterville Valley. Having been last run primarily on road in 2016, the race is back in name and evolved in form. This year’s full fledged Black Bear Half Marathon trail run delivered 800 feet of elevation gain over 13.5 miles (bonus miles!) of smooth forest road, technical single track, and  through just enough mud to satisfy.  ​

Click here to learn more about The Seven Sisters Trail Race and register for next year’s race.

Legend has it that The Seven Sisters Trail Race began in the 80s as an underground race between friends looking to test themselves along a challenging section of trail. These friends and their non-permitted race were promptly busted by local forest rangers, forcing them to downgrade (or was it an upgrade?) to a “fun group run”. This “fun group run” became an official event in 1991 and has since grown to be known as one of the most challenging and competitive trail running races in New England.

Ask any trail runner in the region about the race and you will receive one of two responses. Either they have run it, or they can’t wait to run it. This grassroots race now welcomes a field of 500 participants to test themselves on a 6 mile, out and back course over a section of undulating rocky trail along the 114 mile long Metacomet-Monadnock trail in Western Massachusetts.

A win for men requires a time under 1h 50m (1h 42m course record) and 2h 15m for women (2h 5m course record). Though the race is typically competitive among the top 10 places, competitors cover a wide range of abilities and motivations. The list of finishers is rounded out by participants taking it all in at a hiking pace. Click here to see results for this year’s and past races dating back to 1991.

Part of the appeal of the event is the festive atmosphere gathered in the small wooded enclave where the race starts and finishes. Runners arrive at the festival area after walking along winding single track from the parking area and are greeted by a crowd of excitedly nervous racers packed around a circus tent and various pop-ups. The scene is a picture perfect home grown trail race.

The race course starts along the edge of this woodland clearing and sends runners directly onto narrow single track that soon begins its climb to the heavens. From this point on racers are treated to 3500 feet of ascent rolling over crumbling rock, exposed roots, and slick mud. A number of sections require runners (at this point climbers) to scramble hand over hand up short, but steep rock faces. Ascending these sections are only outdone by descending them on the return trip.

Upon finishing the challenging course with at least a splash of mud and likely some blood drawn, racers are cheered into the festival area by a constant packed crowd around the finish line. As their senses return to them runners are congratulated with a steel pint cup (unique to 2019), hearty pieces of pizza, cider donuts, and various other calorie replenishing treats. The colorful range of shirts from past years’ races worn widely among the finish line crowd is a testament to the races’ long history and strong community support.

Having outgrown its rebellious beginnings, the race is now fully permitted and works closely with the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) to ensure a safe and smooth event. The annual Mud and Blood award, recognizing particularly dirty and harrowing stories from the race, speaks to the important role that the DCR plays as provider of on course medical support.

The race also partners with the Friends of the Mount Holyoke Range, a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving Mount Holyoke range through land conservation, education, and recreation. Since its inaugural race, the Seven Sisters Trail Race has raised over $100,000 to support the non-profit’s work.

The great appeal of the The Seven Sisters Trail Race owes itself, in a large part, to the community that surrounds this race. Just as the trail remains rocky, rooty, and oh-so-challenging year after year, the crowd too will hold onto its nervous excitement at the start line and its inexhaustible support at the finish line. Make a note on your calendar for next year. Whether you go as a runner, hiker, spectator, or volunteer you can rest assured you’ll be part of something special. We’ll be there at the finish line to cheer you in.

Happy Trails,
Fresh Tracks

***Due to the tight switchbacks and rolling nature of the course, GPS measurements of the course vary widely. The race organizers list the course as roughly "officially" 12 miles.

6 Tips for Smart Spring Trail Running

1. Get proper muddy! If you MUST hit the wet trails, stick to the treadway whether it’s a muddy puddle or a sheet of ice. Getting your feet wet is a reality of New England trail running and hiking. Enjoy it and get used to it.
2. Stick to hardened paths: rail trails, bike paths, forest roads, and paved roads. These are often wider and less susceptible to runoff as well as a great option to build base mileage and explore new spaces.
3. ​Don’t be afraid to turn back. If a trail is extremely wet and sloppy, the damage you’ll cause to the trail is not worth getting in your miles or reaching that peak.
4. Keep to the high points. Stones and logs are often laid in persistent wet spots. When used, they go a long way to preserving the trail around them.
5. Avoid steep terrain! Though a fun challenge, steep pitches are particularly sensitive when wet. Please do your part to preserve them for enjoyment at a drier time by stopping before digging into their soft surface.
6. Add rubber tips to trekking poles to prevent them from sinking in and scraping away the trail.

Though you may leave more of a mark than in other seasons, you don’t have to give up trail running in Mud Season. Take these steps to reduce your impact on the wet trails and you’ll have your muddy cake and get to eat it too.

​Happy Trails!

UTMB Top Women:
1st - 25:46:42, Nuria Picas
2nd - 25:49:18, Andrea Huser
3rd - 26:39:03, Christelle Bard
4th - 26:28:30, Kaori Niwa
5th - 27:13:20, Alissa St Laurent
6th - 27:19:55, Kellie Emmerson
7th - 25:42:11, Anna-Marie Watson
8th - 26:06:33, Amy Sproston
9th - 26:14:28, Maria Nikolova
10th - 26:44:08, Robyn Bruins

I've worked long and hard over these past months to bring a trail race to the Belknap Range trails in Gilford, NH. Unfortunately, due to a number of roadblocks we've run into while planning the race we've come to the point where we have to cancel the Gunstock Spring Trail Fling. We've worked through the roadblocks up to this point. We were three days away from running the race at one point! So close! Thank you to those of you who signed up and got excited for a great day on the trails along with us. As you can imagine, I'm very disappointed in having to put off the first trail race Fresh Tracks was to put on. Though, this speed bump sets me off with renewed excitement and more time to focus on another event for the New England trail community on the amazing trails in our back yard. If you were signed up for the race, please check your email and you should see a message with more details regarding the cancellation. 
 
Eventhough we couldn't put on a race on these trails this time, I strongly encourage you to get out and enjoy the trails in the Belknap Range this summer. The range has a number of major and minor peaks, 68 miles of trails, is only 1.5 hrs from Boston and 45 minutes from Concord, and has a number of satisfying post trail bars and restaurants in nearby Laconia. This is a great spot to escape for a Saturday trail adventure or even a summer weekday evening trail run. Click here to check out the Belknap Range trails!

Get out there, enjoy the trails, enjoy the food in Laconia, and most importantly make sure to thank the Belknap Range Trail Tenders (BRATTS) for maintaining these trails. The BRATTS are among a number of trail maintenance groups across the North East that keep the trails we love in good working order. The Spring Fling was organized to bring attention to and support the vital work that BRATTS does for us trail lovers. Follow them on Facebook to keep up with their trail antics. If you enjoy the Belknap Range trails, you should consider supporting BRATTS and the trails by joining their work trips or adopting a trail segment to maintain. Click here to learn more about the BRATTS and how you can support the Belknap Range trails.

In the coming months I'll be sharing more about some exciting summer adventures I have planned in the North East and some further afield. The White Face Sky Race, a few longer distance adventures in the whites (Pemi, Presis, Hut to Hut), surfing and trail adventures in Hawaii, and a bit of exploring in Bend, Oregon, and more! And of course, a new race! It's going to be a busy, exciting, fun summer full of new adventures. I feel like I've used "adventure" 1 too many times here. Oh well, adventure is awesome. Onwards!

Happy Trails!

Dear Fresh Tracks Community,

Due to unforeseen circumstances, Fresh Tracks is postponing the Gunstock Spring Trail Fling to a later date. We apologize for this rather unfortunate news. We are working quickly to reschedule the race for a later date. Once decided, we’ll share the new race date here and by email with all registered participants. If you are registered, you should have received an email with additional details about the postponement. No race details other than the date will change, same venue, same course. Keep your eye’s peeled for the new date and keep working hard out there on the trails! We look forward to having you join us soon for an awesome day on beautiful trails with new trail friends.

Happy Trails!
Andrew
Fresh Tracks Racing

Here's a little taste of the course we'll be running next Saturday, the 27th of May. 

If you haven't gotten to it yet, there's still time to sign up for the Spring Trail Fling. Click here to visit the RunReg registration page for the event and sign up now.

For those of you already signed up, keep an eye out for a pre-race email with all the details you'll need for race day.

Happy Trails!