Antoine Peak Conservation Area - Summit Loop — Sunday, Feb. 6, 2022

On a sunny Sunday afternoon, I headed out to conquer a low peak. The roads beyond my neighborhood were dry and clear, and the Brevier Road parking lot was well plowed. The trail from the parking lot alternated between ice and mud. The mud was deep and sloppy in places. It will take at least a week of warm dry days before it becomes reasonable to walk on it, but plenty of people have tried.  I stayed on the remnants of ice as much as I could, which became easier as I climbed in elevation. Taking the Emerald Necklace to the south so I could enjoy the sunshine, much of the trail was still completely covered in snow. I considered hiking the new Arrow Leaf trail, but it was too muddy, so I turned back. The rest of the Emerald Necklace to the eastern summit trail was snowy, as was most of the climb to the summit. After a brief rest at the top, I headed back down the west summit trail and opted for Tower Road which was covered in snow, and kept my shoes out of the mud.  The afternoon sun had softened the snow enough for me to put on my microspikes for the hike down.