Trail condition

[Jean-François]

Hello,

Sorry for my bad english...

I want to climb the summit of Washington Mount sunday (May 11).
I'm alone...
I need to know if the Lion's head trail have some snow or its clean with no snow.
If there are some snow, is it possible to climb with only hiking shoes or I need crampons ?

And at the summit... the building is it open or not yet ?

Thank's a lot !

[Knapper]

To answer you questions:
Tuckerman Ravine trail leading up to Lions Head has snow starting around half way. Lions Head has snow below tree line then patches of snow above tree line. More trail conditions at:
http://www.outdoors.org/recreation/tripplanner/go/backcountry-weather.cfm
Hiking shoes worked for me last weekend but I carried crampons in my pack just in case. It all depends on the weather this time of year. If it is below freezing, crampons may be needed still in places. Just because it is 60F at the base, it may be 30F at the top or colder. And the building on the summit is still closed as of 5/9/08. No plans to open until possibly the 17th, weather pending.

Ryan Knapp
Staff Meteorologist, KMWN, NH