Tuckerman Ravine Beta Spray - 4/17/26

Apr 17, 2026

By: Spencer Ralston

I left Pinkham Notch at 5 a.m. Trail runners were on my feet, with skis and boots strapped to my backpack. Heading up the trail for the first 500 vertical feet (to the top of the zigzags), there was no snow. Beyond that, coverage became spotty, and the trail turned into a mix of snow, ice, and rocks. Skinning conditions are poor—borderline gear-ruining. Pine needles coat your skins, and rocks will ding your edges. The best approach is to hike from Pinkham to Hermit Lake.

After stopping in to see the caretaker, I left Hermit Lake, still wearing trail runners with skis and boots on my pack. I crested into the bowl and started up Right Gully, where I switched to boots and crampons. The final third of the gully is melted out, requiring steep bushwhacking through chest-deep spruce. By the time I broke through, I was thoroughly soaked from the morning dew and rejoined the hiking trail.

I continued to the summit of Mt. Washington via the Lion Head Trail, connecting to the Tuckerman Ravine Trail, all in ski boots. After summiting, I headed over to the Eastern Snowfields, clicked in, and skied sun-cupped, slightly frozen corn. It was enjoyable for a colder spring day. I then traversed toward Tuckerman Ravine, only to find the route into Chute melted out. Not wanting to downclimb Right Gully or navigate the large cracks in Chute, I continued over to Hillmans Highway.

The skier’s left entrance of Hillmans Highway offered the best skiing of the day. After reaching the bottom, I wrapped things up with a quick chat with Jimmy before heading down the Tuckerman Ravine Trail. I didn’t ski at all below Hermit Lake—the Sherburne Ski Trail is heavily melted out, with multiple water crossings, bare patches, and rocks in the upper turns. Travel is slow, and the risk of damaging skis is high. To avoid unnecessary wear and move efficiently, I carried my skis and jogged back down the Tuckerman Ravine Trail to Pinkham.

Saturday (4/17) is shaping up to be a banner day on Mt. Washington. With the Auto Road open, laps in the Great Gulf and Eastern Snowfields should offer the best and most efficient skiing.