Newbie question

[ft]

I plan to hike along the Tuckerman Ravine Trail to the peak of Mt. Washington this Saturday. Is that ok for us not to bring any special equipment? Is there any snow in the trail? And last, I have a 13-years-old boy. Is this trail available for a kid like this age? Thanks a lot.

[Mumster]

ft:
I plan to hike along the Tuckerman Ravine Trail to the peak of Mt. Washington this Saturday. Is that ok for us not to bring any special equipment? Is there any snow in the trail? And last, I have a 13-years-old boy. Is this trail available for a kid like this age? Thanks a lot. Hi FT:

I hiked to the ravine with my 14 year-old son on Mother's day, and didn't need any special equipment. Minimal snow on the trail then, probably none now. My son did fine, carrying his skis, etc.

We didn't go all the way to the peak of Mt Washington. But, hope this info helps. Enjoy :happyhiker: :mtwashington:

[Skilasnow]

I concur, but be extra careful when ascending the bowl, there will be crevasses and undermined snow, especially near exposed rocks. I saw the results of a who fell through 3 weeks ago about up to his armpits. I looked down the hole and it was at least 10 feet down onto rocks.

I recomend right gulley, a more consistent gradient, and hike along the edge, not up the middle, this goes for wherever you hike up from the ravine floor.

[DMC]

Be prepared for bad weather... Or nice weather...

[TenSeven]

Give yourselves lots of time. Be well prepared with food and fluids. Remember...cotton kills. Mother Nature is beautiful and unforgiving.

[Castlerock]

THE TUCKERMAN RAVINE TRAIL THRU THE RAVINE, FROM LUNCH ROCKS TO THE JCT. WITH THE ALPINE GARDEN TRAIL, IS CLOSED TO ALL USE BECAUSE OF CREVASSES AND UNDERMINED SNOW. THIS ALSO APPLIES TO THE LIP. This occurs every year due to the very steep traverses over the open waterfall and large crevasses that open on the right (north) side of the Bowl. This trail section will be closed until the tread has melted out. Be prepared to use an alternate route.

This is the official statement from the Forest Service. In addition climbing steep snow without hard boots is very difficult. Climbing above open crevasses and rocks on snow without any self arrest tools is stupid, especially this time of year with rocks outnumbering snow bigtime. Give it a few weeks and it will be fine, for this weekend try almost anything else. Oh yes and watch out for the black flies.

[Skilasnow]

Castlerock:
THE TUCKERMAN RAVINE TRAIL THRU THE RAVINE, FROM LUNCH ROCKS TO THE JCT. WITH THE ALPINE GARDEN TRAIL, IS CLOSED TO ALL USE BECAUSE OF CREVASSES AND UNDERMINED SNOW. THIS ALSO APPLIES TO THE LIP. This occurs every year due to the very steep traverses over the open waterfall and large crevasses that open on the right (north) side of the Bowl. This trail section will be closed until the tread has melted out. Be prepared to use an alternate route.

This is the official statement from the Forest Service. In addition climbing steep snow without hard boots is very difficult. Climbing above open crevasses and rocks on snow without any self arrest tools is stupid, especially this time of year with rocks outnumbering snow bigtime. Give it a few weeks and it will be fine, for this weekend try almost anything else. Oh yes and watch out for the black flies. My undertsatanding is that this is why right gulley is the way to go, no?, because the sluice/lip is undoable!? I've not heard of warnings against using right gulley to access Lions Head to get to the summit.

[Jolly J]

I think the recommended trail for summit attempts is the Summer Lion Head Trail.

[Castlerock]

Hi SkiLas,

Right gulley might be a better way to go from a snow safety standpoint, however I would never reccomend climing any steep snow without proper eqeuipment (as an aside, I'm not sure steeper, unprotected snow climbing occurs anywhere in the world the way it does at Tucks)

The real issue is we are now in "summer" and there is no hiking trail up right gulley. As soon as you get off the snow, you get into the fragile alpine ecosystem, destroying vegetation while you stand on it. This is not only against the rules it is against the spirit of the deal we skiers have with the Forest Service. If we go tramping "off trail" with no snow on it, they will put more restrictions on access to the area.

The key is, ft is a summit bound hiker, a bit different than us steep snow crazed skiiers and hikers should be on the trails, for their safety and the floras!

[DMC]

There are little paths through the scrubby pines. But the climb up the rocks at the top of R Gully is pretty tough... The rocks are all loose and tend to dislodge..
During winter/spring - R Gully is my favorite way to get up to the Headwall without a doubt...

[RR]

Full agreement with Castlerock, take the Lion's Head trail. The view down into the Ravine is sublime. In fact once beyond the Lion's Head formation, it will feel like you are right at the edge for quite a ways. When you get to the Junction. You can follow the signs to pick up the upper Tuckerman Ravine trail and take it to the summit.

[Castlerock]

Nice Pics DMC. I love to see the bowl with April snow. The views from the right side back across to the center headwall and chute are the best. They really show the pitch and the snow/rock/alpine nature of the beast

[ft]

Thanks for you all. I read all of your replies, especially the one from Castlerock.

We are not very experienced hikers. So, do you recommend the way to Mt. Washington summit through Tuckerman Ravine trail -> Lion Head Trail? Or do you recommend a less tough and easy way to Mt. Washington summit?

[Castlerock]

4288' of vertical is a lot in one day for inexperienced hikers. Washington is a great mountain to hike and there are a bunch of ways up. But there are other hikes that might be better starters and still get the big mountain feel.

I personally enjoy getting above timberline, that makes the hiking worthwhile. A great hike with less vertical (~3200) might be Mt Lafayette from Franconia notch. You can even do a nice loop that takes in Lafayette, Lincoln and Haystack via Old Bridle path and Falling Waters. Another easy trek to timberline is to Mt. Jefferson via Ridge of the Caps from Jefferson Notch Road. It starts at 3000 so you get above timberline in a hurry, and the summit is only 2700 above you.

But if seeing Tuckermans is your goal, the Lions Head is a great trail. But there are many other hikes that might be better, especially if you are getting into the sport of hiking. Good Luck

[RR]

Tuckerman - Lion's Head - Tuckerman is one of the shorter ways from the East side open this time of year.

The Ammonusuc Ravine or Jewel trails are nice too. They are west side trails. All of the above are a long day's walking on mostly moderately rough ground. If it has to be Mt Washington, well the formost of the three would be the most populated...that can be helpful for newbies.

However, if any trail with a lot of scenic splendor will do, I'd say try the Ridge of Caps. It short, but you will be above treeline in 45 minutes or less and nab the summit of Jefferson. Two caveats re TRC trail: 1)Get to the parking are quite early and 2) ski poles are recommended, it can get slippery if it's wet(boots are better than sneakers for that trail in all conditions).

No, Castlerock and I are not clones....spooky though. I start typing and by the time I'm done, bang he's done it again!

[DRPHIDDLEPHOS]

lions head is the way to go if you are going all the way up and have any question as to the challeges faceing hikes with small children. this will probably be the most enjoyable route, water water water,, and cotton kills!!