mid-april hiking?

[rachael]

i'm new to the area...have some friends coming to visit mid-april and want to do a half-day or so hike in the white mountains. the tuckerman thing sounds cool, but, although i don't mind too much, i know they will all whine profusely if there is too much mud and not enough scenery! any suggestions for "clean" trails this time of year? thanx! (low-elev. is fine)

[skicdave]

Considering your looking for a half day hike, and there is a LOT of snow on all the trails around Mount Washington, I'd say the Tuckerman Ravine trail is your best bet. Not likely to be an mud that early and the path is well beaten. Besides the view of the ravine is well worth it and if your into watching some amazing skiing.. hey lunch rocks is a great place to rest before heading down. If your looking for a peacefully hike... well this may not be for you. There will be lots of hikers and skiers about.

[rachael]

clarification: (heehee)
high elevation hard-pack snow trails are fine, for lower elevations any trails relatively free of slush/mud will suffice.
any ideas?

[rachael]

very cool....i will look into it! thanx!

[M@]

Tuckerman Trail is pretty low on scenery except at the very end.

M@

[rachael]

Originally posted by msheppard:
Tuckerman Trail is pretty low on scenery except at the very end.

M@

hey, maybe if the hike up isn't too bad, they'll appreciate the payoff!

[VTrider]

hey, maybe if the hike up isn't too bad, they'll appreciate the payoff!


Yeah, I second that - go for it. I still remember the first time I hiked up the trail, almost two hours of trudgery for me and it's really not that scenic going up, but then..."WHAM" - wow, it feels like when your watching the "Wizard of Oz" and everything turns into color after the house falls.

It will be well worth it IMO.

-VTrider

[skicdave]

True not much as far as views the first 2 hours, like most trails in the area you have to sweat for several hours to get up high enough for some decent views.

[rachael]

hi guys...thanx for all the replies...now i've got two more questions!

1) is my group (now 6 people) going to NEED crampons and poles to do the tuckerman hike? we're all pretty poor right now after uncle sam stopped in...

2) how well-marked is the tuckerman trail? do we need a map/guide?

[VTrider]

Originally posted by rachael:

1) is my group (now 6 people) going to NEED crampons and poles to do the tuckerman hike? we're all pretty poor right now after uncle sam stopped in...
Although many hike up crampons, I would hesitate to call them a neccesity come end of April - if you can get your hands on some, wouldn't hurt to bring em along, if not for anything the hike up the bowl itself.

2) how well-marked is the tuckerman trail? do we need a map/guide?
You probably can make your way right up blindfolded - there are usually tons of people on the trail - you won't have a problem finding it.

-VTrider