New Hampshire, Easy Hikes, Tuckerman Ravine Trail, Lower Portion
New Hampshire easy Hikes can be found along the border of New
Hampshire and Maine on Route 16 between North Conway and
Errol.
The many lakes and ponds provide great hiking and early morning
photography. The White Mountains offer many hikes with one of
the best family hikes, the lower portion of the Tuckerman Ravine
Trail
The Androscoggin River
runs out of Umbagog Lake in
Maine and then enters New
Hampshire near Errol, only
to re-enter Maine south of
Berlin after crossing the
Appalachian Trail and then
re-entering Maine to meet the
Kennebeck River near
Brunswick before entering
the ocean at Bath.
The juncture of the Androscoggin and the Appalachian trail occurs at the
northern edge of the White Mountain National Forest, a huge area of hiking
trails, the best known of which is the Tuckerman Ravine Trail.
For families, the lower portion of the trail provides a five mile round trip hike from
the base of Mount Washington at Pinkham Notch to the base of the glacial
cirque called Tuckerman Ravine
There are other ways to
ascend Mount Washington but
visitors who drive or go by the
vans wont reach Tuckerman
Ravine.
The Auto Road goes to the top
at 6,288 feet elevation, the
highest peak in NH and the
highest on the eastern
seaboard north of Georgia.
For a fee you can drive to the top
On Route 16, across from the Auto Road entrance, a livery service makes runs to the top of Mount
Washington
There are many was to enjoy this area, but even for the beginning hiker or the less active, the two
and a half mile lower portion of the Tuckerman Ravine Trail is gentle enough to provide a day of
hiking even for families with children.
Once you reach the base of the ravine after a two and a half mile hike you can decide to climb higher or to
rest before the trip back down. There is a well with drinking water and a rangers station at the base of
Tuckerman Ravine.
Weather is changeable on the mountain. snow, rain sleet and fog can roll in and roll out again rapidly.
October brings cool temperatures and the changing of the leaves.
New Hampshire Easy Hikes: How to Reach The Start of The Tuckerman Ravine Trail:
From Boston in the south by car, follow Route 95 north to Portsmouth, NH and then Route 4 to Route
16. Follow 16 through North Conway, NH and stay on 16 for 20 miles until you reach Pinkham Notch
Visitor's Center, a group of buildings at the base of the trails, If you pass Wildcat Mountain Ski area you
have gone too far. Park at the Pinkham Notch lot and find the trail to the right of the group of buildings.
From the east, follow Route 2 to Route 16. Go left on 16, south, and find the parking just south of Wildcat
MT. Ski area.
Flights and rental cars are available in Boston (BOS) Manchester, NH, Manchester Boston Regional
Airport, (MHT) and Portland, Maine International Jetport (PWM) .
Best Time for a Family Hike:
May and June could still see ice and snow on the higher elevations and in the Ravine.
Trails could be slick and muddy. Skiers will hike up on The Tuckerman Ravine trail to
ski until the snow leaves. July, August, September and October are good months for
family hikes in clear weather and with fewer insects. October brings the changing of
the leaves. November and December start the winter snow season. Experienced
hikers use the mountain year round.
The
cascade is
just ten
minutes
hike from
the start of
the trail