Washington Via Huntington Ravine Trail June 25

[ADK4Life]

Got an early start on the day to avoid crowds on a busy summer saturday. Washington was covered in clouds when we arrived to Pinkham Notch. The highway is always a great start to the Huntington link, an easy grade but constant ascent.

Arriving at the link trail we were met with the usual water crossings. There was more mud than I have seen on this trail after the first crossing but simple to bypass. We reached the base of the ravine and skies had cleared, we hoped the summit area was clear for our finish.

Snow is still present at the large boulders and a couple open areas as well. It started to get very warm as we started the ravine climb. I had packed heavy due to some weather stations warning for afternoon thundershowers but it was looking like one of the warmest days this year. The usual slag up the rock fields to the base of the fan was slow and steady and views started to open up and show our progress. We rested at the base of the fan before the first sramble. Spent the next hour sitting out in the sun just taking in the views and getting as many photos as possible. I went through 2 rolls that day, my last visit to the ravine was really rushed and this was my chance to enjoy the trail and get some sun.

The scramble up the headwall is an overall fun and safe experience with holds present at every obstacle. I feel this climb has 3 hard moves, there is a point with a split rock to your right and a high ledge you need to reach with your left foot to be the hardest for someone of my height (5'8).

I topped out of the ravine and was met by a group of 5 young french people headed down to descend Huntington Ravine. There gear list consisted of fanny packs and at total of 1.5 liters between the whole group. The choice of clothing was tank tops and tennis shoes. I warned them that the ascent is not simple but they went on. By the time I reached the path to the auto road I saw the group headed back up. Took the road to the summit to get views of the snow still present in the Great Gulf and Jefferson. The auto road felt like a surreal clash of nature and humans and made for a whole new experience.

This was a great hike on a burning hot day. Washington is always a great climb, the Huntington route always makes you feel like you are actually climbing the mountain.

Photos Here

http://community.webshots.com/album/379545781YlJXfa

 

[TMax]

I Love Huntington... It's amazing how people underestimate it. Thanks for the report and great photos...

 

[Abster]

ADK4Life - I was wondering if you could tell me a bit more about the tough spots up Huntington. I would love to do this route, but am a bit afraid of heights, so I would probably want to just scramble up without looking down - or that seems best from your pictures. How long is this steep, rocky part? Any idea what the climbing grade is 5.5 - 5.7 - if at all? Thanks!

 

[David Metsky]

How long is this steep, rocky part? Any idea what the climbing grade is 5.5 - 5.7 - if at all? Thanks!

Nothing like that, just class 4 tops. The worse section, IMO, is right at the top of the fan. It's about 15 feet of:

In dry weather the traction is good, in wet weather I wouldn't want to try it. After that it's just rough scrambling.

-dave-

 

[ADK4Life]

Here is a link to the video I took higher up in the ravine. Just click on the link titled Huntington Ravine and let it load.

http://www.pbase.com/anita514/videos

 

[blueZ]

I did Huntington Ravine on 6/19. It was wet and visibility was low ...

It was a fun climb, and big thanks to the two hikers (a farther and son) I met on the way.

The view was great on the top of the ravine:

walked almsot the whole alpine garden trail. summitted washington, down via Glen Boulder Trail. it was endless at the end of the day ...

 

[Abster]

Pictures and info are much appreciated!

 

[ADK4Life]

Wow climbing the trail wet must have been a blast.