Video: Tackling Mt. Washington the Hard Way
I'm sure some of the worst plans are conceived over beers with friends at the local watering hole. But there we were in the pub at Team Granite's home base, Highland Mountain Bike Park. It was post-ride at Wednesduro, and we were trying to figure out which peak to tackle next as part of Projectnortheast's #bikethewhites series. Then someone said it, "Why don't we ride the biggest and baddest mountain in the east?" All ears perked up as if we had all had it on our minds recently. Mind you, we have tackled many a local summit with our bikes on our backs, but this one, this one was different. "The home of the world's worst weather." Mt. Washington.
The seed was planted, legal trails were examined, elevation profiles were studied, and the higher summits' forecast was carefully looked over. The day and the route were picked. The weather forecast would hold true through the next week for beautiful clear skies and no wind; a very rare occurrence.
The simple joys on trail that can be brought by a simple short bread cookie after hours of hiking
Before venturing out into any backcountry ride in the White Mountain National Forest I always ensure that whatever we are trying to do is 100% legal. While I've been met with some criticism online, all of our on trail encounters have been nothing but positive. Most other trail users will ask questions/make comments like "Bikes? Here? Well, that's a first!" or "Are you going all the way to the top?" From people cheering us on as we respectfully descend by, seemingly surprised to see us again, to the WMNF ranger asking to take our picture at the top of Tuckerman's Ravine. I'm still kicking myself for not asking to take a selfie with her.
Our route would require us to take a 1/4 mile of the AT. Shouldering our bikes was the only way to cross legally
With frequent breaks to enjoy the scenery in pristine mountain weather, the hike up the western slope would take us close to 5 hours to reach the summit. After downing more calories at the summit than planned, we started our descent. At nearly 4 o'clock we wanted to ride a loop around the mountain, but our older wiser selves would make the right decision to turn back and leave some on the table for another day. The descent would prove to be a challenging technical game of pinball off rocks of every different size and shape and slick-as-snot, off-camber log waterbars. Being a Thursday, though the only souls we ran into during our descent were a local photographer and friend we knew heading up for sunset photos. We had the whole trail to ourselves, another rarity in the area.
As most people that earn their way to the top of Mt. Washington you only wait in line for summit pictures along with all those that either drove up, or rode the Cog railway once. But this picture was a must. So we waited in line and a lady was nice enough to take our picture
Riding along tuckermans ravine was an experience I'll never forget
As we descended down the light was fading and by the time we reached our vehicles it was almost pitch black. Beers were enjoyed as we sat on the asphalt in a circle reminiscing about what we had just accomplished. A small contingent of Team Granite just tackled the biggest peak in the east.
@Projectnortheast
Thanks to
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Member since Oct 29, 2012
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No disrespect to the author's - part of me is glad at least a few humans have done it.
Because the paved road and THE FREAKING TRAIN that pump hundreds of tourist’s up there every hour isn’t a big deal?
God forbid Mtb’s.
It’s about time we had a legit trail
Designed specifically for bikes in the alpine zone.
STOP acting like This is some
Kind of sacred area given the circus that exists up high.
Absolutely, great video!
These hike a bikes are the best, so many classics in the area. To be clear my comment was directed at coldspringier.
The idea that bikes do not belong in alpine zones is wrongheaded, if the land managers do not specifically forbid bikes you are in the clear. In fact, an existing trail reworked for mtb’s off the top of Washington would NOT be as difficult to pull off as most think. It would also have significantly less impact to the alpine zone than most hiking trails as mtb’s stick to the designated path much better than hikers, never mind that it’s essentially impossible to get off the trail up there with a bike.
Hike any hiking trail in the whites right now and you will see what I’m talking about, compared to a mtb specific trail they are brutal..
The fact that we have people on an mtb specific forum suggesting we should not be riding in alpine zones (in legal areas) is mind boggling when a paved road and train are open daily dumping hundreds of people up there who tramp around the alpine zone like a bunch of lemmings and cause actual damage.
Imagine a rideable trail from the top of Washington. 4500’ of vert. There would be nothing like it in the east.
We are, Got a few things up our sleeve as well!
(2) Washington is full of people driving up in their mini-vans.
(3) The trail is only maybe 10% rideable uphill and 60-70% rideable downhill?
(4) What you can ride isn't for everyone... its tough as hell, and not intuitive.
Essentially, folks who are going to do this are few and far between. There are many many better places to ride your bike.
The white mountain national forest has ridiculous elevation potential... They are brutal rugged mountains. I'd love to see NEMBA get full reign to cut whatever they wanted out of some of those 4000+ footers
Alpine Zone where it exists in the Whites, is the rare gem that myself and many consider "sacred." Not the circus of Mt. Wash itself -- obviously the train/auto road make that one summit a sad case. Hiking your butt up to that summit to be swarmed by tourists and autos is a pinnacle of disenchantment.
As for "bike stick to trails better than hikers", I'm curious what you mean? That hasn't been my experience (even before Strava). Even the video here has a couple spots where corners are cut because- momentum, difficulty, speed, continuity. Not a judgement -- just reality.
I freaking love mtb-ing, pushing limits, hike-a-biking. But given how much impact just hiking causes, I'm not really looking for ways to increase impact on a fragile, gorgeous, very small area -- or to make the "Circus" up there any bigger or louder. Gotta be a way to maintain what we can in the Sublime essence of Alpine zones here, without castrating adventure-lust.
(Side Note to Trekking pole manufacturers -- you really can't find a way to keep some rubber secured to the tips so every group of hikers median age 35+ doesn't clatter by like a drunk robot spider skittering down the trail?)
I'm lucky enough to have grown up in the whites, and currently live here. I agree that these areas are sacred, but the argument 'We just don't need more people up there" is total crap. If you have spent any time in the alpine zone, and in particular on Washington, you will quickly realize that its nothing but stacked rocks.. its a big rockpile. Given this reality, you would have to do a ton of rockstacking to make something rideable which would in essence make it mandatory to stay on specified track, if you want to stay on your bike at least.
As far as hiking trails vs mtb trails go, sure there is a ton of rider induced braiding on your southern New England trails, and on flatter trails up here as well. Things are very different on DH trails in the mountains though, its typically more difficult to get off track than it is to stay on when it comes to most mtb specific trails in the mountains. Again, hike any popular hiking trail in the whites these days and you will see how outrageously braided and blown out they are. Most of our local popular hiking trails here in North Conway are two tracks at this point.
-Scott McPherson
..and what is the name of the background music? Also great stuff.
What is the name of the background music? Also great stuff.