Tuckerman Ravine: It’s not just for extreme skiing!

Tuckerman Ravine is beautiful all year long.

I have always been fascinated by the incredible site of Tuckerman Ravine on Mount Washington since I was a kid.  It isn’t just a hike—it’s pretty much a rite of passage for New England adventurers. It’s a place where hikers, skiers, and the occasional ill-prepared rookie (like I was) all come together to suffer… I mean, enjoy the challenge.

The Climb: Sweating and Regretting

The trail starts off nice and easy, luring you into a false sense of security. You’re thinking, Hey, this isn’t so bad! In the winter, the rock and root filled trails are smooth and packed down.  Fast forward an hour, and you’re sucking wind, peeling off layers, and questioning why you ever left the car. If you’re carrying skis, add an extra dose of regret. Keep in mind that just past the Hermit Lake hut, there is a water pump that allows you to refill your water bottle with the coolest and freshest water you can get!

Somehow, the excitement of what’s ahead keeps you moving—whether it’s the promise of an epic ski descent, the thrill of conquering the bowl, or just the chance to collapse at the shelter and pretend you’re an experienced mountaineer.  I’ve done all of these and every adventure was a blast on Mount Washington!

First time in Tuckerman Ravine. Bald sneakers were a poor choice.

The Bowl: Nature’s Ski Playground

As I posed for this photo, a descending hiker said that this huge ice chuck just fell off the face of the ravine within the last couple of hours, as it was definitely not there when he was going up!  That was a sobering reminder that Mount Washington is no joke.  There I was, a total rookie, sneakers slipping all over the place, while seasoned hikers with crampons and trekking poles looked at me like I had wandered in from a nearby mall. Lesson learned.

The first time I hiked up, I did it with skis.  It was early April and the conditions were good.  There was a lot of snow still in the bowl.  My friend and I decided the Right Gully looked good to ski.  I hiked several hundred feet up before I panicked and put my skis on.  It was a short little run, but I was psyched that I could honestly could say I skied at Tuckerman Ravine!  Although I wanted to go higher up like my friend did, my fear and my lack of confidence got the better of me.  Now all I have is regret!  

After my short run, I really enjoyed hanging out around lunch rocks and watching the other (more experienced, less fearful) skiers tackle Tucks!   The best part of the day was skiing down from the bowl.  The first challenge is the Little Headwall, which is a waterfall in the warmer months, but is a very steep ski obstacle in the winter.  Once you get past that, you are now out of the bowl. Now you are on the Sherburne Trail.  “The Sherbie” was a ton of fun!  This is a winding ski-only trail that brings you right to the parking lot of the Pinkham Notch parking lot.

The following spring, I never even made it past the hut because I got sick when I arrived there.  In hindsight, it was probably just my nerves, but I accepted that the hut was my limit that day.  My friend hiked and skied Hillman’s Highway, so I was able to watch him and regret not feeling well enough to go up with him.  

Weather Roulette

If you want a real adventure, stay overnight in the Hermit Lake shelter hut. We did this in late March.  It’s hard to believe these two photos are the same hut, just in different seasons!  Mount Washington’s reputation for unexpected weather is 100% true.  The day we hiked up, it was beautiful out.    In the middle of the night, we could see a million stars from where we camped.  Seriously, it was the best view of the sky I have ever seen!  Having practically zero light pollution was a unique experience.  When we woke up, it was raining and foggy.  We couldn’t see 30 feet in front of us!  We hiked up to the bowl but it was not safe at all due to the low visibility so we simply hiked down in the rain like two disappointed very wet puppies.

That’s the magic of Mount Washington—it keeps you humble and reminds you that the weather forecast is just a suggestion.  Mount Washington’s reputation for unexpected weather is true and demands respect. I recommend checking out the Mount Washington Observatory webpage for weather reports when planning your trip!

We are excited to hike Tuckerman Ravine to the summit this year!

Despite the sweat, the weather mood swings, and my past footwear fiascos, I’ve never had a bad time at Tuckerman Ravine. Whether you’re hiking, skiing, or just spectating, it’s a New England classic. G and I are already planning to tackle the whole Tuckerman Ravine Trail to the summit this summer or fall, and if history is any indication, there will be at least one ridiculous moment along the way.

So, if you haven’t done it yet, get out there and experience it—just maybe leave the bald sneakers at home!