King Ravine question

[Toe Cozy]

Hi,

I'm interested in hiking up to Adams/Madison this Saturday. I'm really intrigued by the King Ravine Trail as part of this, but I'm a little nervous when I read the description. I love scrambly hikes and have done a few, but none in the Whites, so none like this, I'm sure. Can anyone give me a little info about suggested route combinations and general impressions of the King Ravine Trail section? Thanks ahead of time. Also, if anyone is interested in doing this on Saturday, let me know. I hike solo a lot, but this might be a good one for company!

toe cozy

 

[John S]

Toe Cozy, give Meri a call. She mentioned possibly doing King Ravine or something in that area this weekend.

 

[SherpaKroto]

Toe Cozy: you will have no problems with this hike. I like the Subway as a fun scramble. King Ravine is basically a straight shot up the headwall, footing is occasionally loose, but it never feels too exposed (not like Huntington Ravine). I'd leave from Appalachia on the ShortLine, and pick up King Ravine just shy of the Ravine proper. That way you can descend on the Airline which gives you great views.

 

[Toe Cozy]

Thanks gentlemen! Aprreciate the input and I'm looking forward to #3 & possibly #4 (but i'm not really counting any lists or anything...I swear! )

Meri, if you're lurking out there...let's talk about weekend hiking.

 

[patrickbrusil]

The king ravine itself is just a lto of climbing over and around some big boulders. It is a lot of fun and very interesting as far as a hike goes. The headwall I have not been on but I have climbed down the great gully trail into the ravine and although there was not much scrambling on that trail it was probably as steep as the headwall on the king ravine trail and was managable.

 

[Quietman]

King Ravine is my favorite place in the Whites. Even if you don't head up the headwall, check out the ice caves at the base of the headwall, its a cool place. The Chemin des Dames trail up the east wall of the ravine is the easiest way up, still quite steep, but easier that the other two options.

Have fun, I'm jealous!!!!

 

[Toe Cozy]

Have fun, I'm jealous!!!!

Don't be jealous! I'll share. I'm sure there's enough King Ravine lovin' to go around!

Hope you can get out there and enjoy your favorite spot soon!

 

[jfb]

I hiked the King Ravine trail last September, approaching via the Short Line. The trail was a nice walk in the woods until the boulder field at the base. There were some huge boulders to scramble around before the trail split into the Subway and the Elevated. I found the Subway to be not-very-well-marked and somewhat confusing to follow. Also, there were some huge boulders that you really don't want to fall off, especially if solo. The headwall section followed a long pile of rocks, definitely not a manufactured trail. One more thing is that the water at Mossy Fall tastes like moss. I wish I had carried more water with me instead of filling my bottles there.

 

[^MtnMike^]

Adams via King Ravine is a great hike! Combined with a stop at the hut, a trip to Star lake, and then a decent via the Air Line I don't think any trail in the Whites offers as much variety!

^MtnMike^

 

[deadpoint]

king ravine in winter is super fun!! we did it this past march from lowe's path to the king ravine trail on an unbroken trail. the snow in the boulder field in the valley was so deep a few times broke thru to our armpits, and we still couldn't feel the ground. the upper sections just before you hit the airline was iced over and you had to front point.

i can't wait till winter!

 

[Quietman]

Hey MtnMike, you should have given a direct link to your pictures of the ravine, great shots! MtnMike's King Ravine Pics

 

[carole]

Toe Cozy: Did you do this trip? How was it? I may be giving it a try soon.

 

[Quietman]

I am planning on hiking in this area this weekend. Exact plans are uncertain but am hoping to do the Great Gully trail up to Adams at some point. It was the original post that made me decide to go!

 

[Toe Cozy]

I thought about posting a trip report, but then well, I guess I didn't get around to it. Carole, it was a fantastic hike and this weekend looks like another perfect weather weekend for scrambling in the mtns! (at least the last time I checked the weather...it's so fickle sometimes). I'm going to be good and post in the trip report section...

King Ravine Trip report

Hopefully this link works.