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 this 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!
Finding the Avalon Trailhead
Start by the Tracks at the Crawford Depot
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 again on my next visit. (Note the “Crawford” imprint in the snow next to the tracks.)
Avalon to A-Z to Mount Tom Spur
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 then 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
They say the views from Tom are negligible, and they may be during the summer, but in the winter, when the heavy snows weigh down the spruces, you can get a clear panorama of some of New Hampshire’s tallest peaks.
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.
Return to the Parking Lot at the Crawford Depot
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.
Considering another 4000-footer? Check out the full archive of photos in the 4000s by 40 Visual Companion
Looking for something to read during your quest to climb the 4000-footers? Check out 4000s by 40.
