Where to go to avoid mushy postholed hiking trails during a major early March thaw? Tuckerman Ravine Trail, packed down wide and solid by snowcats and many feet and skis, seemed like a good choice. The parking lots at Pinkham Notch were nearly full when I arrived late morning on a Monday (March 9th). There must have been 200 cars here compared to four cars noted at Appalachia. As it turned out, the ravine was not nearly as busy as I expected.
A candidate for most heavily used trail in the Whites.
Important info for Tuckerman visitors. With the warm temps (52 degrees at 11:00 am), the Mount Washington Avalanche Center noted that there was a chance of wet slab avalanches. The MWAC website (www.mountwashingtonavalanchecenter.org) is an invaluable resource for anyone visiting Tuckerman Ravine in winter or spring.
Crystal Cascade was in full flow.
Hardwoods on the lower part of the trail as it begins its "moderate but relentless and rocky climb," as described in the AMC White Mountain Guide. The trail is much more pleasant in winter, when the rocks are hibernating.
One of a few skiers who passed me on the way up.
One of two sturdy bridges over branches of the Cutler River.
The stream has carved a canyon through the deep snowpack.
Quite the snow load on this rock.
An occasional posthole at the edge, but nothing like the minefield on many trails.
The final approach to the Hermit Lake area, through boreal forest.
The Hanging Cliffs of Boott Spur loom above the Hermit Lake caretaker's cabin, long known, unofficially, as "HoJo's." For younger readers, this is a reference to a once-popular roadside restaurant chain known as Howard Johnson's. The roofline of the original caretaker's cabin was similar to those of the Howard Johnson's restaurant buildings. In earlier days skiers could enjoy cheeseburgers cooked on the HoJo's grill.
Good views of the ravine from the clearing at HoJo's. To my surprise, there were only four or five people here when I came by. Nearby are the eight Hermit Lake lean-tos.
The crags of Lion Head rear up on the north side. A hike just to the Hermit Lake area is well worthwhile in winter - 4.8 miles round trip with 1,850-ft. elevation gain.
Just past HoJo's, the trail passes a small pond with an even better view of the ravine.
Great look at the Boott Spur cliffs and the gully/slide known as Hillman's Highway. Three skiers were making their way up for a run.
Zoom on the headwall.
A monorail was developing in the woods beyond the pond.
A steep, hard-packed, sidehilly pitch climbing alongside the Little Headwall. Traction needed here. I wore my MSR Evos car to car and was happy with the choice.
Looking back to the Carter Range.
The steep slopes of Boott Spur.
The grades ease as you approach the upper floor of the ravine.
A couple of rock staircases were already melted out.
Final approach through deciduous scrub.
Holy cow! Even partway through a thaw, the amount of snow up here was amazing.
Impressive!
Ice cliffs.
Three skiers make their way up Left Gully on the south side of the ravine.
Three more coming down over The Lip.
It was quite windy in the bowl, but I layered up and repaired to a safely situated rock seat (not at the famed Lunch Rocks, which are in the line of fire for icefall) to hang out and take in the views and skiing action. One of the skiers who had come over The Lip stopped by and said a dangerous crevasse was starting to form up there.
The trio now near the top of Left Gully.
Looking up the run known as Lobster Claw (center of photo) on the north side.
Shadow creeping across the headwall. When the ravine goes into shade, soft corn snow can quickly transition to treacherous hardpack. Probably too warm this day for that to happen.
Spent a good 45 minutes hanging out at this rock.
The snow on and around the floor of the bowl was deep, windpacked and firm. I could wander at will on my snowshoes.
I cut up and across to the lower part of Lobster Claw for some different perspectives on the ravine.
The headwall from a side angle.
Looking up Lobster Claw. I turned back when the slope started approaching 30 degrees.
Heading back down to the floor.
A skier at the top of the run known as The Chute.
And two more at The Lip. I believe these were the three who ascended Left Gully earlier.
Down over the headwall.
Skiing The Chute.
The trio reunites at the base of the headwall.
Down they go!
Looking up Right Gully above Lunch Rocks.
The Headwall, close up.
This little chunk of ice was a reminder of the spring hazard of icefall on the upper floor of the ravine.
Parting shot after a long visit to the bowl.
This section was a little sketchy on the descent.
The thaw had blown out the Little Headwall.
I paid a quick visit to the viewpoint overlooking Hermit Lake, reached via the shelter side path on the north side of the main trail, then headed out for the 2.4 mile slog down to the car.
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