[MichaelJ]

We were in the Pemi yesterday (Sat). Below 3500' there were just spots of snow here and there where drifts collected, and if the trail passed through said spots, there was still a monorail. With the rain to soak down the snow then the cold overnight temps to firm it up the past few days, that monorail is firm enough to support you bareboot if you can step really, really carefully.

Above 3500' or so all is a gamble. There were trail sections where monorail would hold, spots where you would posthole no matter what you did, and up on the top of Owl's Head there were patches where you could step anywhere and be supported.

The real risk right now is where the trail is rocky or crossed with roots or blowdown. If you posthole in just the wrong spot, you can small a knee into one of those unseen obstacles. Repeatedly. Bleeding all over the snow.

Up high, snowshoes will still make a difference where the packed trail crosses snow drifts. I had to pull myself out of one which my compatriots (with MSR snowshoes) stepped right over.

Of course, it will all be different again by next weekend.