AMC Outdoors, January/February 2006

Stay Overnight at the “Obs”

Here’s your chance to experience sweeping views from atop Mount Washington, and learn a few things along the way. Join the lucky few who journey to the Mount Washington Observatory in winter—a destination heralded for the worst weather in the world. With wind gusts recorded up to 231 mph, sub-zero temperatures, and white-out conditions, the Observatory is off-limits to visitors in winter, unless part of their EduTrip program.

Participants ride to the top of Mount Washington aboard a snow tractor, and stay overnight at the summit research facility, studying topics ranging from meteorology and mountain photography to the natural history of Mount Washington and avalanche and snow safety.

While a ride to the summit might seem like a cushy deal, don’t be fooled. Participants need to be in excellent physical condition for mountaintop explorations, possess the appropriate equipment (winter hiking clothing, sleeping bags, crampons, and ice axe), and be able to hike during high winds and severe weather.

When You Go: Programs run from mid-December through mid-April and are open only to members of the Mount Washington Observatory. You can become a member ($40 for an individual membership) in order to participate. The trip costs $399 and requires a non-refundable deposit of $100. For more information call 603-356-2137, or visit www.mountwashington.org.

Hike/Snowshoe 19-mile Brook Trail to Carter Notch Hut

Don’t worry. Traveling this trail doesn’t mean you’ll be putting one foot (or snowshoe) in front of the other for 19 miles. Instead, this path is a moderate 3.8-mile climb to the hut, and ideal for intermediate hikers and snowshoers.

Start from the trailhead at Route 16 one mile north of the Mount Washington Auto Road. The trail runs alongside the northeast bank of Nineteen-Mile Brook, skirts by a dam, and crosses over three brooks. At approximately 3.6-miles into the climb, the trail drops steadily along Carter Lake, with Carter Notch Hut just 0.2 miles ahead.

For the adventurous of body and mind, Carter Notch Hut, built as a log cabin shelter in 1904 and rebuilt as a hut in 1914, sports a haunting history, and offers a chance to step back in time. A cave is still used to hold perishables such as butter and cheese, and resident ghost “Red Mac” MacGregor, hut manager in the 1920s, has been known to check in on overnight guests.

When You Go: The distance from Route 16 to Carter Notch Hut via the Nineteen-Mile Brook Trail is 3.8 miles with an elevation change of 1,900 feet. The duration is approximately 3 and a half hours. Carter Notch Hut provides a self-service kitchen, but bring your own sleeping bag and water. 

Ski/Snowboard John Sherburne Trail

The famous (and infamous) skiing of Mount Washington happens in Tuckerman Ravine, Oakes’ Gulf, and The Gulf of Slides. But avalanche danger keeps these hotspots off-limits until spring. And some folks just aren’t quite ready for such extremity.

’Til that season comes, skiers and snowboarders can practice their turns on the John Sherburne Trail, the access trail cut in 1934 from Tuckerman, riding from the Hermit Lake Shelter right down to their car (in the PNVC parking lot). This 2.4-mile descent requires hiking up the Tuckerman Ravine Trail to the shelter, but you won’t need snowshoes as it’s well-traveled and well-packed.

There is no hiking allowed on the Sherburne Trail, which was named for John H. Sherburne, Jr., a ski instructor and one of the originators of the “American Inferno” races at Tucks.

On this windy trail of linked turns, there’s one water crossing with a bridge about halfway down—and the trail just gets progressively steeper as you descend. Races used to be held on the lower part of the trail, below the “S-Turn.” It’s a great learning spot for new telemark skiers and snowboarders ready to take their skills to the backcountry. But beware: the trail is nicknamed “the sure burn” for good reason.

When You Go: Follow previous directions for Hermit Lake Shelter. The Sherburne Trail starts across from the bridge next to the caretaker’s cabin. Allow a couple of hours for the hike and up to a half hour for the descent, depending on your ability.

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