Hiking up after dark?

[Ratt Boy]

How tough is it to hike up the Tucks trail to Hermit after dark, with headlamps? I've hiked the trail, plenty o times, but not for 20+ years. At this time of year, is the packed snow slippery enough to make trouble? Would there be any difficulty in sticking to the trail and finding the shelters? (I can have a pre-programmed GPS with me to help stick to the trail and find my way.)
Is it even possible to do it after-hours? I mean, you have to stop in at Joe Dodge Lodge to get your shelter permit. Will they serve you after, say, 9 or 10 PM?
Enquiring Minds Want To Know!
Thanks...

[Jeanounet]

That's interesting...

but would like to know also if you can sleep in your car at the base at Pinkham? Will they let you cook your ramen in peace as well?

Thanks

Le Jean

[icelanticskier]

ya, you can pee in the parking lot as well. my fave sleep in car spot is at the junction of 302 and 16 down in the dunkin donuts parking lot round back. i like that i can get up early to dark roast and a sausage/egg/cheese, hit the irving for junk food for the day and head up to pinkhanm from there.
as far as hiking at night or anytime to camp up there, i just don't see the purpose as it's only an hour hike to get to that point each morning and you don't have to schlep all that extra stuff with you. unless you like laying on a platform with others singing songs around a campfire, i did enough of that when i hiked the a.t. to each there own i guess.
rog

[pleblanc]

Two points to hiking at night. 1. If it's a semi-clear night at all, I would definitely do some hiking with your headlamps off. It's amazing how much more aware all of your senses become. Almost ethereal. & 2. You'll always know that you're on the Ravine trail, because if you're not, you are post-holing up to your crotch. As always, enjoy the rare air up there!! And you can roll into the shelters late and pay in the morning. Don't know if I'd try on a weekend, though. PL

[M@]

I've hiked up in the moonlight plenty of times. It's pretty easy.

You can buy a permit until midnight I think at the base - and if not you can get one from the caretaker up at HoJos. If it's already packed up there you might have a problem.

M@

[PwdrHound]

Night vision works great if you just let your eyes adjust (keep your lamp in your pack!!!) I love hiking at night. You have to be one motivated (or dehydrated) hiker to miss HoJo's/Hermit Lake Shelters! I suppose you could accidentally wander onto the trails leading to Huntington Ravine or Gulf of Slides...if you are not paying attention, so be sure to stay on the Tux Trail.

The only other problem with hiking at night is the possibility of disturbing other people sleeping in the the shelters by the time you arrive....it's amazing how noisy getting into a sleeping bag can be...especially if you're a clutz like me...DOH!!!

peace,

[sneekyjesus]

I'm gonna be arriving late friday night I think, probably well after midnight. Should I talk to a ranger ahead of time, and can I plop my tent down anywhere? Wheres a nice spot?

[lacman]

I'm gonna be arriving late friday night I think, probably well after midnight. Should I talk to a ranger ahead of time, and can I plop my tent down anywhere? Wheres a nice spot?

The nicest spot is right on the caretakers' porch. They'll be quite friendly with you in the morning;)

Actually, there are 3 tent platforms in the woods near the lake. Otherthan that it's shelters and on a Friday night you should avoid pitching a tent in the shelter.
You can get a ticket from Pinkham until 10pm or pay the aretaker in the morning.

Finally, the rangers will give you info on safety and trails and such, but hte caretakers are the ones to ask about where to camp out. The rangers are around early enough in the morning, though you can always start reading advisories before you leave home...http://www.tuckerman.org/avalanche/index.html

lac