“Having the right equipment at my fingertips was liberating. Walking beneath the snow-capped trees, my mind free to turn its attention to the world around me, I had the sense that this was, finally, how my journey was supposed to be.”
— from 4000s by 40
The photos on this page coincide with Chapter 5 from 4000s by 40, where I finally had my first mistake-free day on my 4000-footer quest. But that’s not to say I stopped making mistakes after that—far from it. For more of those, and to read more about the challenges presented while navigating middle age, you can get your copy of the book [here]. To go along with the photos below, I’ve also added a quick retelling of events, along with quotes from the book, to give some context and flavor from the chapter.
Getting Smarter
After going 2 for 4 in my first summit attempts, I decided it was time to step up my preparation game. And where does one go when they want to educate themselves on how to improve their winter hiking? To the internet, of course! I found a great website that ranked the 4000-footers by winter difficulty, and I decided to use it as my marching orders to guide me safely through the rest of my winter climbs. It told me Mount Tom was the safest bet, and sure enough, I had a relatively easy day without any hiccups. It was my first hike in 4000s by 40 without a single issue—I was leveling up!
Start by the tracks at the Crawford Depot.
Finding the Avalon Trailhead
I’ve been up the Avalon Trail several times now, and for some reason, I always forget where it starts. I follow Google Maps to the trailhead, then spend a few minutes looking around, totally befuddled, because there’s no clear sign pointing the way. After a few minutes—maybe longer—I finally remember that it’s across the tracks behind the depot. Hopefully, by writing this down, I won’t forget it again on my next visit. (Note the “Crawford” imprint in the snow next to the tracks.)
Taking the Avalon Trail, you ascend for 1.3 miles until you reach the A-Z trail. A mile up the A-Z, you’ll hit the Mount Tom Spur, which runs about .6 miles up to the summit. Peak-a-booing above the trees, you’ll catch some beautiful views of The Presidentials. This was a fairly windy day, but when I arrived at the summit, the wind calmed down and I was able to enjoy the summit in peace.
Summit Views from Mount Tom
I’d heard that the views from Tom are negligible—and they may be during the summer—but in the winter, when heavy snow weighs down the spruces, you get a clear panorama of some of New Hampshire’s tallest peaks. Maybe this is common knowledge to seasoned climbers, but I felt like I’d stumbled onto a lesser-known secret. I sat and admired my discovery.
Having my first clean ascent, devoid of any issues, I felt ecstatic on the way down. Climbing a mountain, no matter the size, makes you feel a little more powerful than before. The key is not to get carried away by that feeling and forget who’s boss.
“Climbing is not a symbiotic relationship: you are the servant, the mountain is the master. But on this day, I felt like the master, and however untrue that feeling is, it’s one of the reasons we go up.”
Return to the Parking Lot at the Crawford Depot
On a Quest?
On a mountain quest? Climbing the 4000-footers? The 14,000-footers in Colorado? The Pacific Northwest Trail? 4000s by 40, while specifically about the 4000-footers, is meant to capture the universal story of people trying to find a better way as they take on challenges in everyday life — all while poking a little fun at myself along the way. I hope you enjoy it.
Considering your next peak in NH? Browse the full photo archive in the 4000-footers Visual Companion
Mount Tom Ascent Details
Route (Out and Back): Avalon Trail to A-Z Trail to Mount Tom Spur
Elevation Gain: 2,172 Feet
Miles to Summit: 2.9
Total Distance: 5.8 Miles
Trailhead Location: The Avalon Trail begins behind the Crawford Notch Depot. Park at the yellow depot building and walk across the train tracks.
Exploring Mount Tom: Trail Reports & Peakbagging Resources
If you’re thinking of climbing the 48 in winter, I highly recommend Mount Tom for your first winter ascent. It has a relatively easy grade and no matter how snowy a winter it is, I find the trail to always be more manageable than most of the other White Mountains. Here are some great resources that provide trail conditions, peakbagging stats, and scenic highlights to plan your trip:
- Peakbagger.com – Mount Tom – A great place to track your 4000-footer progress, log summits, and see detailed elevation data.
- NewEnglandWaterfalls.com – Provides difficulty ratings and highlights scenic viewpoints in the winter—perfect for planning ahead.
- AMC Trail Maps – I have different versions that came with a more detailed trail book, but it’s always good to have a reliable map.
