Mt. Washington for Summer 2016

Hey guys.
I am interested to hike Mt. Washington this summer. I am not from the area but will travel from California. I have hiked a couple of 16K Feet and several 13K Feet mountains. I am interested to go in a group and looking for people interested. I have read this isn't an easy mountain just because of the unpredictable weather. I am thinking to hire a local guide for the group that way we can have a much better cost per person. Please contact me if interested via this method or by e-mail at edanpacheco@hotmail.com

Mt washington in summer is an easy day hike. just bring a few extra clothes and follow the heard of people up the trail that is as wide as a road.

Nick Goldsmith wrote:Mt washington in summer is an easy day hike. just bring a few extra clothes and follow the heard of people up the trail that is as wide as a road.

As Nick suggested. I am one of those local guides and wouldn't recommend one, not for this purpose anyway. Washington is a much different animal in winter and the conditions you've heard of tend to occur fall through early spring. While summer temps can be cooler, the ordeal isn't as trying. It sounds as though you are an experienced hiker: watch the weather and bring a shell to cut the wind. You'll be fine. Follow the Huntington Ravine trail for some added excitement!

There are other hikes worth considering too, such as the Franconia Ridge.

Saying people die regularly on Washington is a misleading statement. A mountain isn't a guillotine. Deaths in the warmer months are rare, and, deaths in the winter usually involve poor decision making and do not occur with tremendous frequency. We can, however, expect a miscalculated individual to disappear or have an accident every winter: cold temps, strong winds, and proximity to tons of people. This is the east coast's epicenter for winter mountaineering, novice and expert, shit happens.

I'd echo the previous replies - Mt Washington is pretty cruisy in summer, even via the harder routes (e.g. the Huffington ravine). The biggest danger is probably dehydration, so if you carry plenty of water, a good raincoat, a warm fleece and a map you'll be fine. It is, however, a surprisingly long round trip for such a diminutive mountain, so expect to be tired at the end of the day and plan for plenty of snacks etc. The people getting in to trouble in summer will be those with just a T-shirt, jandals, and a tiny water bottle and 9 times out of 10 they'll get away with it.

Your not coming just to hike Mt. Washington right??

Sometimes we van camp in Pinkam knotch parking lot. (real bathrooms and a free movie)By the time we wake up sat morning the place is mobbed, the parking lot overflowing and cars parked a half mile down the road. It is inspireing to see all the different ages and fittness/ health levels that are all out there haveing a go at the mountain. Pick day with a good weather report, bring some extra clothes and follow the heard:)

Thanks a lot for the comments guys. I come frequently to Boston for business purposes but would like to do Mt. Washington on one of those trips during one weekend. I think I'll try to do this on the summer by myself. I am pretty sure there will be more people on the trails so I think I'll be fine. Still I always like to share the trails with new friends so if anyone interested to hike this mountain in August just le me know.

Thanks

Try to avoid the bottom part of the Tuckerman Ravine trail if you can, it's like a highway on busy weekends.

If you're fit, you can start at Pinkham notch and cut across to the Great Gulf wilderness via the Old Jackson Rd trail. Head up to Mt Washington via the Great Gulf trail or even better, the Six Husbands trail, then cut across the ridgeline to the summit of Mt Washington. Descend from Mt Washington via the Lion's Head trail to the Tuckerman Ravine trail.

This is a very big hike, with very rugged trails at times despite what the mileage may lead you to believe. Start early and bring a headlamp.

It's worth the effort, a much better experience than the standard routes up Mt Washington. Great exposure to what makes the White Mountains so unique. Very different than anything on the West Coast.

Thank you Chris
Let me study that option.
Thanks for the comments.

Boot spur trail is a cool way to avoid the bottom of Tuckermans.

I've hiked Mt Washington every memorial day for the past ten or so years.

Yes, it's a big hike, but it's still a day hike. Yes, people die, but if you go in ill-equipped you're more likely to be mighty uncomfortable. The tourist draw of the place means a lot of folks are poorly equipped for the trail, both for terrain (don't wear flip flops!), supplies (you need food and water), and gear (you'll need layers to manage wind and rain).

I agree, a guide is totally overkill.

I always approach from the Pinkham Notch side. Your shortest route is about 8 miles, with around 4000' feet of ascent. It goes straight up Tuckerman Ravine Trail (ascends 2000' in 2 miles, but is very wide and well worn), then up Lion's Head which is where the trail starts to get rocky, over and up the Rock Pile and returns the same route. This is our route for bad weather.

If weather co-operates, I would suggest checking the map for a detour on the way up to take in Alpine Garden that turns off to the right and puts you up Huntington Ravine Trail to the top and adds perhaps a mile or two.

On the way down, look at the Boott Spur trail on the way down. This probably adds four miles and takes in some absolutely stunning views. First you'll go past "lake in the clouds" and then the boott spurr terrain just feels like you got transported to mars. Highly recommended.

On Memorial Day we've had weather ranging from sunny and beautiful, to freezing rain, hail, and 70 mile an hour winds. August will be warmer, but you might still have some snow to navigate, plus you will deal with worse black flies and bugs.

My final unsolicited advice -- start your hike early. It's a long day, and the parking areas at the base fill up REALLY early.