Tuckerman Ravine Trail, White Mountains
- Jill McMahon
- 5 days ago
- 4 min read
Follow this popular route partway or all the way to the summit of Mount Washington.
Options are a beautiful thing. I love a trail that offers a variety of lengths and levels of challenge, and Tuckerman’s certainly does. This hike features an additional bonus: it brings you to an iconic backcountry ski destination where you can watch brave souls trek up an insanely steep bowl with skis on their packs, to enjoy a thrilling ride down.
Tuckerman Ravine is a glacial cirque or steep-sided bowl-shaped hollow on the southeast face of Mount Washington, carved by glacial erosion. It’s been a destination for adventure skiers since John S. Apperson made the first descent in 1914. The most popular time to ski Tuckerman’s is early April through June, with most skiers avoiding the avalanche risks associated with late December to early March.
Since it’s early November, I was surprised to find skiers on Tuckerman’s when my boys and I hiked to it last weekend. It had snowed in the White Mountains, but the dusting on the bowl was less ideal than the deep snow pack it offers in the spring. Still, the sections of exposed rock and grass did not deter these skiers. Having a son who loves skiing more than anything, I understand that they’re all chomping at the bit this time of year.
We stayed at Joe Doge Lodge, an AMC Hut located next to the Pinkham Notch Visitor Center on Route 16 in Gorham, NH. The beauty of staying here in late fall is that the lodge is heated and offers dinner and breakfast in the dining hall of the visitor center. It’s also a stone’s throw from the Tuckerman Ravine Trailhead, so you can park your car once and leave it for the duration of your stay.
Joe Dodge Lodge is rustic, but comfortable. We slept in bunk beds, but did have our own room (two bunks for the three of us). The food was decent and the service friendly. We did our hike on a sunny Saturday, spent the night, and woke to freshly falling snow…which felt like magic since we hadn’t seen any in Portland yet.
After researching different hiking options nearby, we chose the 4.7-mile out-and-back Hermit Lake via Tuckerman Ravine Trail. This hike features waterfalls, rocky sections, a picturesque lake, and a ski show at the end. This trail does lead all the way to the summit of Mount Washington (for an additional 2-mile, steep ascent beyond Tuckerman’s), but that hike felt too risky this time of year, considering the extreme weather on the 6,288-foot summit. We’ll return in August for that climb.
Before setting out on any length of hike in the Whites, always check the Mount Washington Higher Summits Forecast. And always pack additional warm layers, including puffy coats, shells, hats, gloves, and extra wool socks. Also, microspikes! We remembered our warm layers (and needed them…the wind at the base of Tuckerman’s was no joke), but did not remember our microspikes, which would have been helpful on the snow-covered trail!
We ended up hiking 0.5 miles beyond Hermit Lake (the destination on our AllTrails route) to the base of Tuckerman’s for an up-close view of the skiers. Here’s a map of our route. The total length was 6.64 miles with an elevation gain of 2,342 feet. We did the hike in 3.5 hours, but the boys are fast hikers, so the average time is longer than this. Here’s the view you’ll have if you opt for the additional 0.5 miles beyond the lake.
The trailhead is located behind the Pinkham Notch Visitor Center. The hike begins with a gentle ascent on a wide path, quickly leading to a bridge over roaring falls. At 0.5 miles, you’ll arrive at the impressive Crystal Cascades Falls on the right.
From here, the climb becomes steeper and more rocky. If you want to explore a detour and the route backcountry skiers use, find a trail on the left at one mile in and follow it for another mile before taking a right to rejoin the main trail. This route will be less crowded, and you won’t find it on your All Trails map. A mountain man we met on the hike suggested it, and we decided to take his advice. Note, it’s not always in your best interest to accept directional advice from passing hikers, but this man seemed to know what he was talking about, and Finn wanted the adventure - so off we went.
Just before arriving at Hermit Lake, you’ll pass a few shelters leading to the larger Hermit Lake Shelter and winter bathrooms. Beyond that, the trail bears right before reaching Hermit Lake. Continue another 0.5 miles further to reach the base of the ravine and a better view of the skiers.
This hike is unique with a variety of stunning features and terrain. I hope you get to explore it. Reach out with questions as you’re making plans!
