How Long Is The Hike Down Mount Washington?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Discover this

7.4-mile

out-and-back trail near Gorham, New Hampshire. Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 5 h 17 min to complete. This is a very popular area for hiking, so you’ll likely encounter other people while exploring.

How long does it take to hike to the summit of Mt Washington?

As an example,

4 hours and 15 minutes

is the “book” time for hiking to the summit of Mt. Washington via the Tuckerman Ravine Trail (one way distance of 4.2 miles) and the descent will not be faster. A round trip hike to the summit of Mount Washington via this most popular trail will very likely take more than 8 hours.

Can you hike Mount Washington in one day?


A day hike loop can be made with Boott Spur Trail and either Tuckerman Ravine or Lion’s Head

.

How difficult is Mt Washington hike?

Considered to be

one of the most dangerous hikes in the world

, the summit of Mount Washington is both a daring and rewarding feat. While the hike is just over eight miles round-trip (depending on which route a hiker chooses), it doesn’t come without its challenges, many of which have claimed lives.

How do I prepare for Mt. Washington hike?

  1. Ask yourself: ‘Have I hiked before? ‘ …
  2. Make sure you have the right gear. Once you’ve hiked enough to feel comfortable, it’s time to get prepared. …
  3. Bring water and snacks. …
  4. Be prepared for an emergency. …
  5. Unplug and enjoy nature.

What is the best time of year to climb Mount Washington?

For most hikers, summer is the best time to climb the Tuckerman Ravine Trail to Mount Washington.

Late fall through spring

, the trail is covered with snow and ice. Don’t hike during this time unless you really know what you’re doing, and even then proceed with caution.

How do you get down from Mt. Washington?


The Mt. Washington Auto Road offers a one-way shuttle service to hikers — either up to, or down from the summit

. The shuttle is available on a first-come, first-serve basis (we do not take reservations nor do we allow tickets to be purchased in advance), and operation is weather dependent.

Can you hike up Mt. Washington and take the cog railway down?

The Cog Railway is a really neat way to experience Mount Washington. We did the 6 hour hike up the mountain, and decided to take the train down when it started to hail (yes, this was in July).

The Cog was a good alternative to hiking down.

How difficult is the Huntington Ravine trail?

Get to know this 9.5-mile loop trail near Gorham, New Hampshire.

Generally considered a challenging route

, it takes an average of 6 h 2 min to complete. This trail is great for hiking.

Can you see the ocean from Mount Washington?


As the sun rises over the Atlantic Ocean (65 miles from the summit) each clear morning, you can see a bright orange strip directly on the horizon.

Is it safe to drive up Mt. Washington?


The route is dangerous

. Not recommended to newbies. Along the way you’ll have to deal with some dangerous dropoffs. There are no guard rails on this road with the numerous steep drops at the side, especially going up.

What is at the top of Mt. Washington?


The Sherman Adams building

, a modern summit building, houses The Sherman Adams Visitor Center, a cafeteria, restrooms, gift shops, the Mount Washington Observatory and its museum. The historic Tip-Top House is located adjacent to the summit building.

How hard is hiking Tuckerman Ravine?

Discover this 7.4-mile out-and-back trail near Gorham, New Hampshire.

Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 5 h 17 min to complete

. This is a very popular area for hiking, so you’ll likely encounter other people while exploring.

Can you climb Mt. Washington in the winter?


The standard route for ascending Mt. Washington in winter is the Lion Head winter route

. Your day will start at the Pinkham Notch visitor center. Here you can pick up a weather and avalanche report, as well as a warm breakfast.

Is Mount Washington the highest mountain in the United States?

Mount Washington in the White Mountains


It’s the highest mountain in northeastern North America

: 6,288-foot Mount Washington.

What is the hardest hiking trail in the US?

  • The Maze. …
  • South Kaibab Trail/Bright Angel Trail. …
  • Kalalau Trail. …
  • Mist Trail – Half Dome. …
  • Muir Snowfield Trail. …
  • Huckleberry Mountain. …
  • Barr Trail.

How long does it take to drive to the top of Mt. Washington?

Most vehicles take about

30 minutes to make the 7.6 mile ascent

and from 30 to 45 minutes to come down depending on traffic, weather conditions and whether or not you need to stop to cool your brakes. The Auto Road is a steep, narrow mountain road without guardrails. The average grade is 12%.

How cold is it at the top of Mount Washington?

Wind Speed Wind Direction Wind Chill 72 mph SE (130°)

-13° F

What is the elevation of Mount Washington?

6,288′

What is the easiest hike up Mount Washington?

Mount Washington Hikes

There are two main trails that will take you to the summit:

The Jewell Trail

and the Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail. Of the two, the Jewell Trail is the easiest. Both will take around 5 hours each way.

Who owns Mt. Washington?

Last November, Utah-based

Pacific Group Resorts Inc. (PGRI)

signed a deal two years in the making to purchase Mount Washington Alpine Resort.

How much does it cost to drive up Mt. Washington?


Car & Driver


Peak Times $45 (regularly $39)
Motorcycle & Operator $25 Adult Passenger Peak Times $20 (regularly $14) Child Passenger (Ages 5-12) $9 Child Passenger (Under 5) FREE

How many accidents on Mount Washington Auto Road?


More than 135 people have died

on Mt. Washington, most of whom were hikers. Only three have died on the road itself, though. In 1880, a stage coach driven by a drunken driver crashed, killing one of its passengers.

Can you camp on top of Mount Washington?

While

there is no camping in the park

, nearby Franconia Notch State Park has two campgrounds. Mount Washington State Park is home to the highest peak in the Northeast and surrounded by the 750,000-acre White Mountain National Forest.

What town is Mt. Washington in?


Mount Washington
Elevation 6,288.3 ft (1,916.7 m)( NAVD 88) Prominence 6,148 ft (1,874 m)
Kim Nguyen
Author
Kim Nguyen
Kim Nguyen is a fitness expert and personal trainer with over 15 years of experience in the industry. She is a certified strength and conditioning specialist and has trained a variety of clients, from professional athletes to everyday fitness enthusiasts. Kim is passionate about helping people achieve their fitness goals and promoting a healthy, active lifestyle.