Lion Head

 

Hoot estimates this trail may be class 2.5 on his hike: "The trail was Class 1 to the Lion Head Trail turnoff the main Tuckerman Ravine Trail. I found the Lion Head Trail was mostly Class 2 to the summit. However, there were a few steep Class 2.5 sections were I used my hands to move up the rock. There was relatively little Class 1 trail above the turnoff from the main Tuckerman Ravine Trail."

 

 

Essential Gear

None during the snow-free season though a windproof / waterproof jacket is nice to have on hand since the weather can change fairly quickly.

During the winter an ice axe and crampons are recommended. Since the Lion Head Trail leaves the Tuckerman Ravine Trail before Hermit Lake you won't run into the rangers that are stationed there.

Winter Variation

Description from GuitarWIzard:

The Winter Route is perhaps the most popular route up the mountain; on a fair winter day, expect to see dozens of people. Leaving Pinkham Notch at 6 a.m. almost guarantees that you will see very few, if any, others on the ascent. While a mountaineering axe and crampons are the only "required" equipment, I have only done it once with just a mountaineering axe....vowed never to do that again. Using ice climbing tools makes it MUCH easier and a lot quicker, particularly if there's some mixed climbing sections of rock, snow and ice. For the most part, you'll use the French step and grip the axes on the heads and make your way up, but there are a few sections in which you'll use your picks. About halfway up, there are some fairly steep sections that can get a little tricky if not a ton of snow. There's a nice 70-75 degree slope for a good 10-15 feet on one section, but there's usually a detour that goes around it. However, if you have ice climbing tools, it's fun to go up. If you go at a steady pace, you can make it to treeline from the start of the Winter Route in about 50 minutes. Treeline to Lion Head (the large rocks at 5,000 feet) takes between 40 minutes to an hour....the rocks provide a good shelter to rest, grab some food, or change clothing. Just past the rocks, the wind can pick up severely. On one particular ascent, winds at the summit were only 35mph, but the SW winds sweeping across the flat ridge between Lion Head and the Alpine Garden junction were averaging around 80 mph and gusting to 100 mph. The wind typically clears about 90% of the snow on this stretch, so walking in those winds on small rocks can be quite a challenge. Once past the Alpine Garden junction, you will ascend the snowfield, passing through Split Rock. Depending on the snow depth, it can be a good ascent (no postholing), or a nightmare (up to your chest during or after a good storm). You will meet back up with the Tuckerman Ravine trail about 100 yards or so past Split Rock....if the legs are feeling good and the trail is well packed, you can be at the summit in under 30 minutes. On the descent, you can pull out the mountaineering axe and glissade down the Lion Head Winter Route for about 85% of it, depending on the snow conditions and if there's a train of people climbing up. There are a few sections that will require walking and climbing down, due to either being too steep, or not steep enough.

This route is perhaps the least avalanche-prone route to the summit. There is an avalanche cache at the bottom the the Lion Head Winter Route. While it's a fairly moderate climb that most abilities can tackle, you can still fall and get quite injured on some of the steeper sections. The route is well marked with blue markers, and above treeline has reflective orange markers for locating the route at night (which is very helpful, particularly in a storm). The trail is approximately 1.75 miles from Pinkham Notch, and starts on the Huntington Ravine Fire Road.

Miscellaneous Info