Where Is Tuckerman’s Ravine?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Tuckerman Ravine Location

New Hampshire, United States
Coordinates 44°15′45′′N 71°17′54′′WCoordinates: 44°15′45′′N 71°17′54′′W Mountain range White Mountains

How hard is it to ski Tuckerman’s Ravine?

Tuckerman Ravine, seen here in mid-winter, is

grade-A avalanche terrain you need to approach with caution

. Mt. Washington Avalanche Center photo. In short, if you have avalanche gear, absolutely bring it, but if you don’t, you won’t be alone.

How do I get to Tuckerman’s Ravine?

Parking and trailhead

access to the Tuckerman Ravine Trail are at the Appalachian Mountain Club’s Pinkham Notch Visitor Center located on Route 16 between Gotham and Jackson

. Weekend parking fills up quickly, but an overflow lot is located just south of the Visitor Center.

Is Tuckerman’s Ravine still open?

Area Status:

Open

Each winter, the Tuckerman Ravine Trail is covered by snow and ice, and has highly exposed steep cliffs and slopes below it. From late fall through late spring or even early summer, think of it more as a mountaineering ascent than a hike.

What is the most difficult trail on Mount Washington?


The Huntington Ravine Trail

is one of them. This trail, which climbs a cliff face on the east side of Mt Washington, is considered the hardest and most dangerous trail in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, which is quite a feat, since there are dozens of ass-puckering trails here that have similar billing.

How hard is Mount Washington to climb?

Hiking Mount Washington is both

physically and mentally demanding

, so some measure of physical conditioning is required to make the hike safe and enjoyable. That said, one does not need to be an Olympic athlete to make it to the summit.

How late in the season can you ski Tuckerman’s Ravine?

Seasons: Tuckerman can be skied from

late fall into June

, however the most popular time is April and May, when the snowpack has stabilized and avalanches, while not nonexistent, are less likely.

How steep is Tuckerman’s?

Tuckerman Ravine has many different runs that span the bowl, all as steep as

40 to 55 degrees

. From the base of the bowl, the run farthest to the left is known simply as “Left Gully” and is one of the easiest runs. Moving to the right, the runs are more challenging and steeper.

How steep is Hillman’s Highway?

Hillman’s, while not as steep as the headwall in Tuckerman, still packs enough pitch to get your blood pumping. It’s

about 45 degrees

at its steepest.

How steep is White Heat at Sunday River?

Ski Area Trail Name Angle (Degrees) Sunday River, ME White Heat

27°
Jay Peak, VT Haynes 27° Whiteface, NY Mountain Run 26° Whiteface, NY Upper Skyward 26°

Can you skin up Tuckerman Ravine Trail?


Skinning up the trail is permitted

, however, be mindful that skiers and snowboarders may be coming down the trail and not expecting to see you. Stay well off to the side if you are skinning up the trail. Do note that the Tuckerman Ravine Trail is the preferred uphill route for backcountry skiers.

How steep is Tuckerman’s Ravine Headwall?

The headwall itself varies from

800 to 1000 feet in vertical

. Skiing from the summit through the ravine all the way to the trailhead is close to 4,000 feet. The steep slope kicks up abruptly and there are plenty of good skiing options.

Are there avalanches in New Hampshire?


New Hampshire is one of the only eastern states with a popular ski area that experiences persistent avalanche activity

. That ski area is Mount Washington’s Tuckerman Ravine. The US Forest Service maintains Avalanche Snow Rangers and an NSP volunteer Ski Patrol during their ski season.

Do you need crampons for Tuckerman Ravine?


Crampons

.

While an established boot pack might feel secure leaving the boot back or taking the path less traveled may require some traction

. Micro-spikes might be helpful on the lower angled hiking trail below Hermit Lake (Hojo’s) but won’t cut it in 40 degree terrain.

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.

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.

Why do they call it the White Mountains?

Historical Role


Since from the coastal areas the highest peaks seemed to have snow on them, they were given the name of White Mountains by an explorer in 1524

. The White Mountains’ highest peak, Mount Washington, is also a part of the Presidential Range of mountains.

What is the terrifying 25?

The Terrifying 25 list (commonly referred to as the T25) includes

trails in the White Mountains of New Hampshire that have slides, rock scrambles, and boulder caves

. These are trails that are very rugged, sketchy in places, and usually very dangerous in bad weather.

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

.

Can a beginner climb Mt. Washington?

It takes a lot of experience to hike a peak like Mt. Washington, but

beginners can safely take in incredible views of the summit from viewpoints like Square Ledge in Pinkham Notch

. The White Mountain National Forest is one of New Hampshire’s most beloved outdoor playgrounds.

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.

What is the best time to ski Tuckerman’s Ravine?

You’ll find the best time to hit Tuckerman Ravine is the

middle of April through the middle of May

. There are some years when the season starts in March and can end as late as June. You’ll find that the avalanche danger is the highest earlier in the season.

Can you ski Huntington Ravine?

Although best known for long, moderate ice climbing,

most of the gullies in Huntington Ravine are high quality ski descents in the right conditions

. Photo: Climbing Diagonal Gully for a ski descent.

How tall is Tuckerman Ravine?

A massive glacial cirque, at

4,430 feet above sea level

and roughly 800 feet of sheer vertical, Tuckerman is the unrivaled “Holy Grail” of New England spring skiing, and a true rite of passage for any East Coast ripper.

Why is it called Tuckerman’s Ravine?

Tuckerman Ravine is

named after Edward Tuckerman

, a 19th century botanist who conducted much of his alpine research in the area, focusing on the slopes of Mount Washington.

How steep is left Gully?

Left Gully is

about 35 degrees

(similar to the pitch of a double black diamond). making it a good option for first timers in Tucks. The cornice at the top of Left Gully steepens to 55 degrees, but most people put their skis on before this. Be aware that this creates an overhead hazard and avoid lingering below it.

Can you ski Mt. Washington?

When you ski in Mt. Washington Valley,

you have sEVEN alpine and six cross-country ski centers at the tips of your skis

. That’s over 300 alpine trails and 450km of Nordic tracks to ski and ride.

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.