I am going up for the Highpointer convention and want to also summit Mt. Washingon. I have a couple questions for you alpinists:

1. Is a hiking permit of any kind required to summit Mt. Washingon?
2. What trail is the best for a day hike? I'm 70 and just want to summit via the easiest trail that is doable doing a day hike.
We will be hiking in July.
I read another thread and they talked about 60 mph winds. We have winds in Texas, but usually not that bad. The only places I got high winds was on a few Colorado 14'ers .

thanks,
duzer

1. You don't need a permit.
2. I think Tuckerman Ravine trail is the easiest (8 miles round trip???).

60mph wind is usually in the winter. Summer time, you should be OK, but be mindful of the weather.

1. No permit, no fees, unless you're taking the road to the summit or riding the cog railway. Parking is free.

2. Tuckerman Ravine is a classic trail, and perhaps the shortest, but not my favorite: it's a long slog into the ravine, then a steep hike up the headwall. Likely to be very crowded, and tough on the knees going down. Consider the Ammonoosuc Ravine trail (from the west side) instead: steady climbing with some nice waterfalls along the way, great in summer heat.

3. Summit wind speed chart: http://www.davidalbeck.com/hiking/worstweather.html See figure 1.

nartreb wrote:2. Tuckerman Ravine is a classic trail, and perhaps the shortest, but not my favorite: it's a long slog into the ravine, then a steep hike up the headwall. Likely to be very crowded, and tough on the knees going down. Consider the Ammonoosuc Ravine trail (from the west side) instead: steady climbing with some nice waterfalls along the way, great in summer heat.

3. Summit wind speed chart: http://www.davidalbeck.com/hiking/worstweather.html See figure 1.

Agreed re the Tuckerman choice: in perfect weather it can be spectacular, but so too alternatives without the crowds. A favorite of mine if staying at Pinkham Notch/Joe Dodge Lodge/Porky Gulch is to go up the Glen Boulder trail, scoot over to summit one way or another, and come down Lion's Head. If you're a happy scrambler. consider up Huntington and down Lion's Head or Tuckerman.