In winter many of the access roads we take for granted in warmer weather are closed, making certain trips much longer. The time of these road closures (and of their re-opening in spring) varies according to conditions, and until recently the Forest Service did not publish updated information on the status of these roads. So for a few years I collected information about road closures (in the winter) and re-openings (in spring) from volunteers.
The Forest Service has finally put a Forest Road Status page on their web site, and there is thus no longer any need for an unofficial substitute. Should they ever discontinue that page I will be happy to resurect my version.
Let me end by thanking the many volunteers who, over the past few winters and springs, have sent me their observations on which roads were open and which were closed. Without them this page would not have existed!
Note on Mt. Clinton and Base Roads: During the winter of 2004-5 the Cog Railway operated as a ski train, and the Base Road was plowed to the Base Station. Hikers were allowed to park in the lower parking lot at the station, the first one reached when driving in. The traditional Forest Service summer lot, before the Base Station, was unplowed and unused. As a result hikers could use the original Jewell and Ammonoosuc Ravine trailheads at the station. The Mt. Clinton Road was "closed" (but not gated), and was unplowed and used as a snowmobile trail. Hikers using Edmands Path drove up the Base Road and parked at the four way junction of the Base Road with the Mt. Clinton and Jefferson Notch roads. This made hikes up Mounts Monroe, Washington and Jefferson much simpler than in previous years.