Mount Washington
Mount Washington – White Mountains, NH
Elevation: 6,288 feet
Elevation: 6,288 feet (1,917 meters)
Prominence: 6,138 feet (1,871 meters)
Location: Pinkham’s Grant, NH (Coös County, New Hampshire)
Range: Presidential Range
Coordinates: 44°16’13” North 71°18’12” West
Rating: Difficult
Features: Waterfalls, Cascades, Brooks, Lakes of the Clouds Hut + Lakes, 360 Degree Views
Distance of hike: 9.5 miles
Mount Washington is a really fun hike but no matter what trail you take, you’re looking at a 12 + mile hike. It’s long, it’s steep, and it will tire you out. The last two miles felt like a lifetime to me. After 4000 feet it’s pure rocks and you really have to watch your step. I summited Mt Washington via Tuckerman’s Ravine and loved that trail. It offered great views and was pretty challenging. The only thing I don’t like about hiking Mt. Washington is cars can drive to the summit. I’m not a fan of getting to the top and seeing people who are proud of their cars for making it up.
My second time hiking Washington I took Ammonoosuc Ravine trail up and Jewell trail down. This was a way easier hike than Tuckerman’s. If you’re not too sure of your dogs and your own ability I would highly recommend this trail. The stop at the lake of the clouds is a nice break from the steep climb up.
Mt. Washington is home of the world’s worst weather as it’s winters can rival Mt. Everest! On January 16, 2004, the summit weather observation registered a temperature of −43.6 °F and sustained winds of 87.5 mph, resulting in a wind chill value of −102.59 °F! Mount Washington holds the Northern Hemisphere and Western Hemisphere records for directly measured surface wind speed at 231 mph, which was recorded on April 12, 1934. Mount Washington, as of 2010, has claimed 137 lives. Not too surprising given the mountain’s severe and unpredictable weather, most of the deaths occurred from hypothermia so please be mindful!
Mt Washington is very dog-friendly but be mindful of your pups hiking ability. The hike is very rocky and steep so be mindful of your pup’s paws. It is above tree-line for a lot of the hike so weather can easily become a serious issue.
Also, please do your research of which trail you want to take up to the summit. Huntington Ravine Trail is considered the most difficult hiking trail in the white mountain as it’s 2.4 miles w/ 2700′ of elevation gain. It is located on the east face of Mt Washington, Huntington Ravine is a steep bowl-shaped valley, called a glacial cirque.
Tuckerman Ravine Trail is the most popular way to climb Mt. Washington but is definitely not an easy trail as it’s 4.2 miles w/ 4250′ of elevation gain.
The Great Gulf Trail also climbs one of Mt Washington’s steep ravine headwalls, but on its north side. It’s 7.9 miles w/ 5000′ of elevation gain.
I believe the easiest trail to hike Mt. Washington is Ammonoosuc trail up and Jewell trail down.
Last note about this trail is I wouldn’t count on a train ride down. I believe they strongly discourage hikers from plannning to take a one-way ride down. They also don’t sell one-way tickets at the summit. You would have to buy round trip at the base station and only use your down ticket, which again is strongly discouraged. They ask if you plan to hike up to please assume you will hike down and plan accordingly.
